Group urges new fire district

Going against advice of legal counsel, Lincoln County Commissioners have met with a group of Cabinet View-area residents seeking to establish a fire district.

Presiding Commissioner Tony Berget said he has been advised by legal counsel to put off the requested meeting, but he opted to proceed.

“I felt it was important to hear this group,” Berget said. “I just feel like it is important to hear what they have to say.”

Cabinet View-area residents Dennis Souther, John Rios, Patty Rambo, Ron Miller and Mike Agesta came before the board to request permission to establish a fire district in the area that previously included the Cabinet View Fire Service Area.

“We realize this is an emotionally charged issue. We want to move forward and not dwell in the past,” said Rios, who emerged as the speaker of the group. “We aim to support what the laws and regulations say. There is no argument with that.”

Miller, who would be captain, tried to separate this group from others that preceded it.

“That group is no more. It’s like talking about a dead person,” Miller said. “It’s like another guy named Tony Berget. You don’t want to pay his bills,” Miller said..

Rios and the group requested and received permission to pursue a petition for creation of the Cabinet View Fire District. 

Berget said the petition could be the first step to get the measure on a future ballot.

“I’m really not sure how this will work, but I’m sure it will have to be voted on,” Berget said.

One resident of the area, Alvin Benitz, was in attendance, and he said despite these efforts there are people in that area who do not want the fire district.

“There’s a lot of people out there who do not want this. I want to thank you for dissolving this,” Benitz said. 

It was at that point, Berget urged Benitz and the group to refrain from getting emotional. 

“(Let’s) keep away from the emotional aspect,” Berget said.

Commissioner Ron Downey of Troy asked whether the group could obtain a list of volunteers and equipment, to which Rios said he would work to obtain such a list.

“We will get a list,” Rios said. “I know David Mast donated that land. If anything, we recognized you as the leaders of the county. We will abide by all laws. We will adhere as much as we can,” Rios said.