We just got word from a correspondent who says that the BFD is compiling an explanation for the expenditure of $187,000 of its money to purchase Sheets Garage. Our reporter says that it will be submitted to the Times next week.
We hope that report will explain where the money came from and tell us how and when the BFD made approved the purchase of this.
These are questions that we have raised regarding this unusual purchase.
We suspect that there was no public meeting with subsequent approval by the BFD fire department. If this is true, (and we do not know that) that it would have been illegal purchase.
A public body which claims to have authority of the corporation must involve the voting membership in the determination to buy the property.
Furthermore, it is highly suspicious as to why the private property which was paying real estate taxes suddenly is withdrawn from the tax roll because it is purchased by a tax exempt organization. This hurt the school system and reduced the schools' ability to educate our kids.
BFD has shown to the community that they are far from a pauper and in fact they have tens of thousands of dollars just laying out doing nothing. We always hear how much it costs for a fire truck or turnout gear so it raises great concern that they fire departments are blowing smoke in our faces.
Perhaps this report will help us know their true wealth.
May we suggest that the BFD let us publish the entire record to clear up these questions.
Don't miss the Times this next week. (We hope that they will publish this piece. We know that they are somewhat reluctant to publish controversial material.)
We are prepared to publish the BFD records as soon as they send them to us.
Steve got another hot story like the "stand down" fantasy he made up?
ReplyDeleteThe Times do not have a very good records of really participating and credible and open investigations and disclosure. As well the entire county as a whole in all it's related government entities can't even prove or provide that they are in compliance with anything at all. Even their own buildings with fire and building codes. Yet at the same time we hear the ever repeated insanity from all sectors of this monsters "Federal and State laws, Acts and codes do not apply in Pocahontas County". While this certainly is outrageous they never the less work hard and showing us this is true, even in the Courts.
ReplyDeleteIf the land is not for the direct use and benefit of this tax exempt entity's authorized incorporation and nature and allowable purpose of it's being authorized to "do business" in the State of West Virginia then it is NOT exempt from taxes. Any sale of this land would be taxable. State records show that the BFD claims it already owns and runs to Fire Houses. Is this true, and do they meet all the required Federal and State operation, and inspection requirements? This exemption came from the County Government themselves. Who authorized this? After what investigation and documentation about this lands use was this granted? All of those records, notes, communications in all formats, and documents are fully public records.
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