The new county fire-training center will not have the large driving course that was included in the original design and was supported by the county fire association.
In a 3-2 vote, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners voted to remove the driving course and instead increase the size of the concrete pad located around the burn tower to 285x300 to be used for driving practice.
The original plans called for spending $1.08 million, while the new plan calls for spending $621,810 — a difference of $417,652.
The new design was approved with commissioners Bruce Yates and Chas Hardy and chairman Hunter Bicknell voting in favor of it. Commissioners Tom Crow and Dwain Smith voted against this new design.
Crow said the majority of the firefighters would rather have the original designed course, even if it was gravel instead of paved, instead of this new design.
For the complete story on the fire driving course controversy, see the June 17 issue of The Jackson Herald.
You two and James Lyle DO NOT speak for us. Your embarrassing the public safety folks in Jackson County.
Thank you BOC from a long time fireman who is tired of the good old boys in Jackson county !
Keep up the cutting to avoid a tax increase!
This is only a good start.