Fire Rescue News - MARGATE FIRE DEPARTMENT HOSTS OPEN HOUSE
MARGATE -- The Margate Fire Department hosted an open house Monday evening. The event gave residents a first-hand look at their day-to-day operations, and also served as a reminder of the department's pressing needs as a judge's decision on.....Continue Reading
funding for renovations looms near.
Over the weekend the Margate Fire Department welcomed the public to its Station Two. But Monday evening, residents of all ages got an inside look at Station One, and its day-to-day operations.
"We want to welcome the community, the residents of Margate into the firehouses, show them where we live, let them meet our firefighters, see where we eat, do our drills, all the things we do every day, and just get to know them better," said Margate Fire Department Chief Tony Tabasso.
Although many of the visitors came to see trucks and the firefighters themselves, the two open houses were held as much for the adults as they were for the kids.
"We're trying to educate the public on planned construction renovations that we have coming," said Margate Commissioner of Public Safety Maury Blumberg.
Station One has a myriad of problems, the most prominent being the slow collapse of the room they use as a dormitory, gym, and meeting room. Metal supports and two-by-fours have been added to keep it in place for now.
Construction is planned at both firehouses, starting with Station Two. But, before that can happen, a judge must decide whether or not the public will get to vote on $2.1 million worth of renovations for the firehouse.
"Well, we had a group of some 500 citizens that signed a petition to try and kill a capital ordinance that we put forth for the renovations at Station 2." Blumberg said.
"We also do a lot of training out of Station Two and the renovations would actually enhance that 200%." Tabasso said.
Margate commissioners argue that the city's commission form of government prohibits the protest of capital ordinances. But, it will be up to a judge to make the final ruling.
"So, we're hoping December 8th the judge will find in our favor and we can move forward with putting the shovels in the ground for our first phase of renovations," Blumberg said.
Margate's commission is planning on moving elections to November. If that happens, and the judge does rule in favor of a voter referendum, the vote would most likely be pushed back to November of 2011. We'll get you more information when the judge makes his final decision.
