Manila city officials were guests of the Manila Fire Department on Thursday, March 12. Mayor Wayne Wagner called a special meeting to review and act on the new slate of officers for the fire department.
“First, I want to thank our firemen for allowing us to meet here tonight,” Mayor Wagner said. “We appreciate our volunteer firefighters for all they do for our community. We appreciate your courage and your dedication. I know you have had several calls over the last couple weeks.”
The council then voted unanimously to approve the following officers: Brandon Bollinger, Chief; Chris Crook, First Assistant Chief; Sonny Dill, Second Assistant Chief; Justin Hill, Engine 1 Captain; Luke McLaughlin, Engine 2 Captain; Paul Bell, Engine 3 Captain; David Barnhart, Ladder & Tanker Captain; Don Nunnally Captain and Company Training Officer (CTO); Brian Clark, Assistant to CTO; Ray Dill, Chaplain; and Alex Mason, Secretary.
“On behalf of myself and the council, I want you to know if you (fire department) need something, just let us know,” Mayor Wagner said. “We will do our best to try and get what you need. We know the fire department and the police department are front and center on the Coronavirus concerns.”
The group then discussed some of the facts concerning the virus.
Again, Mayor Wagner expressed the city’s appreciation to the firefighters for all they do for the community and the local people.
For several years the Manila Fire Department has partnered with Moving Manila Forward to sponsor the Blazin’ BBQ Festival in Manila.
The event has been very successful and brought in large crowds of participants.
Sonny Dill, chairman for the event, talked to the city leaders about this year’s festival.
“We always want to do what is best for our community,” Dill said. “The festival is about five weeks away and we would like your (the city council’s) approval to make the call whether to have it, postpone it, or cancel it this year, in a couple of weeks. The contestants have their 2020 schedule in place. Waiting two weeks to see where the Coronavirus issues are will not put anyone in jeopardy. I think in two weeks we will know a lot more. We will go back to our sponsors and see what they want to do. We have had a lot of interest this year and we appreciate the city’s support. We will get back to you in a couple of weeks with a decision on what is best.”
The council did not object to the two week grace period before a final decision is made.
Manila will have their regular council meeting on Monday, March 16, starting at 5 p.m.