Published: October 30, 2007 03:51 pm            

Petitions being circulated to determine support for fire station at Parnell

Monticello — Residents in the Parnell community have taken the first step toward

organizing a rural fire department. Petitions are currently being circulated

to determine support for a fire station, and within the next month there are

tentative plans to hold a community meeting.

Mike Crain, who has headed up the effort so far, said that more than 100

names have been collected on petitions. He said the effort will be stepped

up in hopes of getting about 500 signatures.

Crain, who attended last month's fiscal court meeting to express the

need for a rural fire department in Parnell, said he will take the signed

petitions back to the magistrates during their meeting in November.

The county already owns property in that community, right off KY 92 at

Alley Cemetery Road. It was purchased several years ago for a fire station.

But the community will have to find funding to build a structure and to

equip a fire station.

Crain has been in contact with Congressman Harold Rogers' office as well

as State Representative Ken Upchurch. He has talked with members of the

Susie Fire Department in an effort to figure out the process that Parnell

needs to follow in order to find the money.

The Susie Fire Department is currently the only rural department in

Wayne County. It was formed from a community effort and continues to be run

by members of the community. Money to build the station was actually funded

through the Kentucky State Legislature.

"I visited one of Susie's meetings and I got a lot of helpful

information and insight from them," said Crain.

He said he has had several people say they would like to be volunteers

for a fire department in Parnell. Crain said it would be ideal to have at

least 20 volunteers. Anyone who signs the petition can note on it if they

are interested in volunteering.

Crain has received a letter of support from officials at Beaver Creek

Resort. He is in the process of contacting different churches in that

community as well.

Crain and other members of the community know that this will not be a

quick process. Getting grants and other types of funding can take time and

patience. Crain said it could take two years or more for the community to

get to the point where they are building a station.

"If we don't start now, in two years it will still be a plot land," said

Crain.

Anyone who would like to sign the petition can stop by the Beaver Creek

Grocery or contact Crain at (606) 348-5196. Several volunteers are also

circulating the petition in the Parnell community.

        

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