Fire district slashes budget; cuts services for 2014 Sopris Sun Staff Report Faced with a projected $1 million decrease in property tax revenues for 2014, the Carbondale Fire District will dip into its reserves to the tune of $700,000 next year and also cut services or programs, such as the Wildfire Patrol that puts crews on the ground to locate and fight fires before they spread. The cuts come after the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District’s five-member board approved a 2014 budget of approximately $2 million on Dec. 11, down about $1.2 million from 2013 due to a decline in property values. Those service cuts, in turn, were brought on after district residents voted down a mill-levy hike in November that would have funded services and programs at their current levels. Programs getting the axe include: • Public classes in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation); • Certification and training programs for fire-fighters; • The free Automated External Defibrillator maintenance and testing program for owners in businesses, schools and other locations; • Funding for the non-profits CORE (Community Office for Resource Efficiency) and CLEER (Clean Energy Economy for the Region); • Recycling programs at the districts stations, which are located Marble, Redstone, Carbondale, Missouri Heights and the CMC turnoff. The district wanted to buy a new fire truck and ambulance in 2014 but those plans are on hold. District fire chief Ron Leach said the department will retain all 20 of its paid staffers, although one has quit and will not be replaced. The district also relies on 75 volunteers. Going into 2013, the district had about $1.5 million in reserves, so by the end of 2014 that figure is projected to be about $800,000. Leach said the district will probably go back to district voters next year or in 2015 to ask for a property tax hike. The property tax ballot question in November failed by about 55 to 45 percent.
Firefighters knock down blaze Sopris Sun Staff Report Dec. 15 at 6:37 p.m., the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District was paged for a report of a structure fire at 251 Bobcat Lane, (Redstone Ranch Acres subdivision) Redstone, according to a press release. Upon firefighters arrival, flames were visible outside the chimney chase. The first fire officer on scene worked with a neighbor and they were able to keep the fire from spreading until the first fire engine arrived. The fire had extended in to the framing, but firefighters were able to contain the fire to the chimney area. The homeowners were not at home when the fire began. A neighbor gained entry and released a dog from the residence. There were no firefighter or civilian in-
juries. No loss amount has been determined at this time. The cause of the fire is being investigated. The fire district responded with four fire trucks and 18 personnel. The fire was reported as being under control at 7:40 p.m., although firefighters remained on scene until after 9:30 p.m. “The Carbondale firefighters did an excellent job of containing this fire to the chimney chase and immediate area,” said fire chief Ron Leach. “The next door neighbor saved this house by his quick response. He kept the fire at bay with his fire extinguishers until the fire department arrived.” The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Department and the Red Cross also responded to this incident.
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Belle Raleigh, an intermediate ballet student at Crystal River Ballet School, danced the title role of “Clara” in the “Nutcracker” at Carbondale Middle School on Dec. 13. Crystal River Ballet and the Glenwood Dance Academy collaborated on the production. For more photos from Friday night’s program, please visit the Sopris Sun website at soprissun.com. Photo by Lynn Burton
Sopris Sun Holiday Deadlines FOR JAN. 2 ISSUE Ad reservations due by noon Fri., Dec. 27. Contact Bob Albright • 970-927-2175 bob@soprissun.com or Paula Valenti • 818-640-6482 paula@soprissun.com
THE SOPRIS SUN, Carbondale’s community supported newspaper • DECEmBER 19, 2013 • 3