To the citizens of Powhatan -
In writing an article in this week’s edition, I posted a comment regarding the firetrucks that were located at a Board of Supervisor’s meeting last week. The point was to express the community questions regarding taking so many fire trucks to the meeting and then after the meeting, many of those same trucks were at a local restaurant.
The statement didn’t come out as I had meant – and citizens thought I meant that the firefighters were “eating on taxpayer dollars” – that was not the intent. No one would EVER think that the tax payers pay for the food of the firefighters, rescue or police force. And we know that many times after running calls the volunteers and paid staff may stop somewhere to eat.
Of course everyone has to eat. That was never in question. At least not by me or my family.
The issue was not just my opinion – for after the meeting – the following few days, I recieved many many notes and phone calls asking who gave permission to drive the trucks to the meeting and people were wondering why those involved couldn’t have gone back to the station, gotten their trucks and then gone to eat.
I personally apologize for making it appear that the volunteers eat on taxpayers – I am sorry that the wording came out that way.
We appreciate from the depths of our hearts the love and dedication from all Fire, EMS, and Police for our community.
We KNOW you do it because you care about the citizens.
I pray we don’t ever have to call you – because I read post after post on Facebook from Firefighters who made the comments “they better hope they never have to call us for help” -
I know many are upset and all I can do is make a public apology – it was not to you as individuals or to make you look bad to the community for all you do.
I explained it on Facebook and through emails I received – but all my comments were deleted.
I sincerely didn’t mean that the dedication goes unnoticed -
On another note – I received a phone call from Powhatan Today on Friday – to let me know that the HAD sent a FOIA request in to request the email from Mr. Moore BEFORE Mr. Timberlake had sent it in to the paper. I told them that I would let the public know of this update.
The newsletter has been updated online so there is no embarrassment to the firefighters. You can view this week’s edition here –> http://www.powhatanva.com/newsletter/printversion/011212/011212.pdf
Thank you for your feedback and your comments.
Sincerely -
Katrina Blankenship
info@powhatanva.com
