Fund-raisers will support vital project

Anyone who reads a paper, listens to the radio, or watches the news on TV knows that the nation's economy is hurting local governments.

In order to cut spending, cities like McCook are being forced to look at ways to cut back spending in order to make ends meet.

Sometimes those choices can be hard ones.

Such was the case when the McCook City Council voted against a request by McCook Fire Chief Marc Harpham to purchase an exhaust system for the McCook Public Safety Center.

Harpham requested the new system in order to eliminate the diesel fumes and associated chemicals from the garage which is attached the city's fire and police offices. In the winter, the vehicles must be warmed up at least 30 minutes a day.

After the council denied the request, Chief Harpham decided to take up the gauntlet.

"The issue with diesel fumes is becoming a safety concern for fire departments nationwide," he said. "We are talking about our future and our health. This is an issue we can't let die."

In fact, according to a statement made by Police Chief Ike Brown in a January council meeting, diesel smoke contributed to the retirement of then-Fire Chief and police officer Jim Henry, who left his position in 2002.

T he cost of the proposed system is $25,000, which may seem like a lot of money, Harpham said. But considering that the same system was priced at $75,000 in 1997, the current price seems like a bargain.

One local organization headed up by John Hubert of McCook, is presenting the opportunity to help support the McCook firefighters in their efforts and provide an entertaining afternoon for the entire family.

"I've worked around diesel equipment my entire life," Hubert told the Gazette. "When I visit the fire house, I recognize the extent of the odors and fumes from the equipment. I feel there is something that should be done about it."

The Alliance for the Encouragement of Visual and Performing Arts will host a showing of the movie "Turner and Hooch" at the Fox Theater, Sunday at 1 p.m. Admission will be a free will donation. Snacks and drinks will be available at the concession stand at full price. All proceeds from the event will go toward the purchase of the new system.

But let's not let this issue stop there. Donations of any size can be addressed in care of the McCook Public Safety Center Exhaust System Fund Drive and addressed to John Hubert. The donations may be dropped off at the McCook Public Safety Center or mailed to John Hubert, 901 Sunset, McCook, NE 69001. Our emergency personnel are out there every day, protecting us and saving our lives, now is the chance to finally repay them for the many sacrifices they have made.