Kevin White, Parsons Volunteer Fire Department Chief, thanks Parsons City Council members for their support of the Parsons VFD Homecoming Fair during Tuesday’s Parsons City Council meeting.
PARSONS – The Parsons VFD Homecoming Fair, which is during the month of May, offers fun for everyone and is a vital form of fundraising for the department. During Tuesday’s Parsons City Council Meeting, Parsons VFD Chief Kevin White thanked Council for their yearly support of the event.
White said the Parsons VFD cleared approximately $5,000 during the Homecoming Fair. He thanked Council Members for their support of entertainment on the downtown stage and said it was a big help each year, and asked Council if they would consider sponsoring the downtown stage entertainment for the next Homecoming Fair.
Monies raised by the Parsons VFD during the Homecoming Fair, generated by the fire fees and donated through the Harman Fund will be used to purchase updated equipment including the newest ‘Jaws of Life’ type tool. White said the new tool will be powered by battery instead of hydraulics. He said this tool will be easier to start during cold weather and the battery-operated tools are quicker to start and use.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, Kennetha Greenlief, president of the Parsons Parks Commission spoke about the vandalism the Parsons Parks are facing. She asked Council if they would support the installation of cameras all over the parks to help catch those vandalizing the area.
After discussion, Council Members voted to consider the price of purchasing cellular cameras in some of the more remote areas. Greenlief also requested Council hire a park enforcement officer, which was approved. The position is a 20-hour position and is temporary for 90 days. One of the main objectives of the position is to insure the park rules are being followed, to help visitors and residents who have questions and to help decrease vandalism through the Parsons Parks.
Parsons City Administrator Jason Myers said this week a child busted the glass on one of the fire extinguishers and sprayed it all over Mill Race Park near the picnic tables and small paviilion.
“It just made a mess for no apparent reason,” Myers said. “We do have a suspect in that incident and the Parsons City Police is following up on that. It just seems not to stop. The restrooms at River City Park are closed again due to vandalism. People flushed pop cans down the commodes and once again, they are closed.”
Parsons Police Chief Bill Rowe told Council he would like to explore the idea of starting a “Chief Reserve” group to help police the vandalism in the future. He said the group would be like the “Deputy Reserve” group where volunteers would be trained to help assist with helping in the parks.
Councilman Dave Greenlief spoke about projects at the Parsons City Cemetery. He said the drain fields allowed for more than 200 more gravesites in section C. He said the project is under budget.
Greenlief told Council his committee is thinking of imposing an increase to the Parsons City Cemetery lot fees. Currently the fee per lot is $100 and the committee will introduce their proposed increases at an upcoming meeting.
The next Parsons City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. July 11 in Council Chambers.
