Commission urges caution on new fire station idea

By Jason Arndt

Correspondent

Members with the Town of Yorkville/Village of Union Grove Fire Commission have requested that the Fire Department first seek public support prior to making a pitch for a new station.    The Fire Department presented its desire to build a new station at the Fire Commission’s Aug. 21 meeting, explaining that the current building constructed in 1974 is becoming too small for firefighters to utilize.

“We are looking at how much longer we want to maintain the fire station we have,” Fire Chief Tom Czerniak told Commission members.

However, the Commission indicated funding and land space is not readily available for the Department, and could take several years to organize a plan of action.

“We do not have any building, we do not have any property,” Commission member Michael Younglove said. “Right now we are not in the position to build a new fire department and the Department should seriously contemplate that.”

Members of the Fire Department conveyed resistance to continued use of the current station to Younglove.

“There were strong responses from members of the department that they want to have a referendum,” Younglove said. “They believe they can convince the voters to approve a new fire station for however many dollars.”

Assistant Fire Chief Tim Allen indicated the present location is an ideal site, given its proximity to residences within the community.

“Right now that is the best property as far as geographical location,” Allen stated. “If that area does not work out in the future, I guess we will just have to find another area.”

Members with the Fire Department began thinking of a new fire station when the Department of Transportation announced plans to improve the location.

“The idea of a new fire station came when there was a new proposed redevelopment of Highway 45,” Younglove said.

The DOT has since been inactive in improving the infrastructure of the area surrounding the Fire Station, according to Younglove.

Commission members suggested the formation of a group to study and reach out to the community and educate residents on the importance of facility upgrades.

“From a public perception, you are going to have a hard time selling the idea of spending millions of dollars on a new station without presenting other ideas,” Younglove added.

Czerniak indicated that the Department is forming a group seeking public support.

Despite the Department’s efforts, Commission members told the Department to seek out other ideas in event a new fire station is not supported by the community.

“If this plan falls through what are the other options,” Commission member Mike Aimone asked Czerniak. “Is there a Plan B?”

Additionally, Aimone suggested the Department work on organizing and maintaining the current station would greatly improve its standing for a new fire station.

“There seems to be a lack of pride in the station. Do some basic upkeep of the building to show you can take care of the existing station,” Aimone stated.

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My comeback

After more than six years of being away from the journalism profession due to a myriad of personal and medical issues, 2013 was the year I was able to make a return.

Following my excellent experience as a News Intern with the Lake County News-Sun, my life hit a snag for several years and since the departure - I wondered if I still had the talent.

Enter in Southern Lakes Newspapers, where I previously served as a Sports Intern eight years earlier for two weekly newspapers (Whitewater Register, Palmyra-Eagle Enterprise) and I was able to make my return.

One thing is certain - having a writer make a return to writing was like riding a bike. I still have the perspective of the citizen in mind, although a bit rusty. But it is a restart I have been waiting for since 2007. 

The challenge of writing for two smaller communities is to dig harder for information and generate stories. While attending Village Board and School Board meetings might not be exciting to an outsider, but many small details and items within meetings can be a major story for a small community.

And sometimes being present at Board meetings catches news NOT contained in the meeting agenda issued. 

In order to understand the significance of small items on meeting agendas, a reporter needs to know the history of the community. Learning about the history in two small communities is a hard task but once I am able to get over the learning curve it will be much easier to follow.

It takes a considerable amount of time for a reporter to not only learn the history but also the public officials and what they stand for.