By Cynthia Daniels
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Copyright 2006 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wanted: Clocks, silverware, beds and stoves to fill three Sandy Springs fire stations by the end of the year.
Yes, the city purchased two fire stations from Fulton County at $5,000 each and picked up the $285,000 mortgage on a third.
But it’s still unclear whether or not the deal included all the perks inside.
“We may end up with four empty boxes,” said City Councilwoman Ashley Jenkins at last week’s council meeting.
From silverware to bed furnishings, the stations will need it all.
So, the Friends of Sandy Springs Foundation, created to help fund the city’s police and fire departments as well as parks and recreation, has started asking for help.
Business owners and homeowners’ associations listed in the nonprofit organization’s database can expect to receive a letter in the next two weeks that asks them to help furnish “our fire stations.”
Although $200,000 of the department’s $8.7 million budget was set aside for station renovations, City Manager John McDonough estimates that amount will go toward repairing the stations, some of which suffer from leaky roofs and are infested with termites.
Ten-year Sandy Springs resident Gwyn Ring said she felt obliged to help the men and women who protect her but wasn’t thrilled about the donations idea.
“I think the citizens are getting the short end of the deal,” Ring said. “We were told no new taxes, no new expenses, and now we’re being asked to furnish the stations.”
Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos said residents don’t have to donate if they don’t want to since there’s enough money to “make the fire department work efficiently.”
But, she added, “if people would like to donate and help, we welcome it.”
Some residents have already answered the call.
Jenkins said she’s heard from one neighborhood association willing to help and a local company that wants to donate 30 mattresses.
The Riverside Homeowners Association had already raised a $5,000 donation for a thermal imager, which has a $15,000 price tag, at their local station.
And Lisa Hrabe, the association president, said her family will probably make a separate donation too.
“Part of our issue with the county is we didn’t feel like we had a whole lot of input,” Hrabe said. “This gives us more control. There’s so many other things our tax dollars could go to --- I don’t have a problem with it.”
GETTING READY
Here’s a glance at the upcoming schedule of Sandy Springs Fire Chief Jack K. McElfish and staff.
* Mid-October/early November: The city expects to have its battalion commanders and crew chiefs hired and make offers to firefighters.
* Late November/early December: The city anticipates delivery of four quints --- a hybrid vehicle that can serve as both ladder and pumper; two pumper trucks; equipment, like hoses and radios; and battalion and bunker vehicles. This will cost $5 million.
* Late December: The city will roll out its new department. Emergency 911 will be operated by Fulton County through December 2008.