ATLANTA, GEORGIA, FIRE STATION 23 was shuttered last December as part of a city-wide plan to sharply reduce spending during a budget crisis.
AJC
The scheme included furloughing most city workers for four hours each week. Recently, however, the city council passed an increase in the property tax that the bookkeepers predict will generate enough revenue to restore some city services including re-opening fire station 23.
This morning at 7:00 am the fire station returned to service amidst a simple ceremony attended by city officials and members of the neighborhood association who fought vigorously against the shutdown seven months ago. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports:
Michael Wagoner, president of the nearby Berkeley Park Neighborhood Association said, “I can hire a private security company to patrol my neighborhood, but I cannot hire a company to put out a fire.”
On Thursday morning, Wagoner was one of several neighbors at the station to welcome the first shift of returning firefighters.
“It’s an exciting day for Berkeley Park and the whole west side in general,” Wagoner said. “It’s exciting to see the guys coming back in.”
The station’s reopening brings a “feeling of safety back,” Wagoner said. “We’re looking forward to hearing the sirens coming through the neighborhood again.”
WAGA-TV Ch. 5 has the video report:
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