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San Pedro's newest fire truck is now officially owned
by San Pedro Town and the truck will soon be in transit to the island. On
February 14th in
Cherryville, North Carolina, USA, Ramon Nuñez accepted the title, keys
and Bill of Sale for the newly remodeled, refurbished fire truck from
Cherryville Mayor Wade Stroupe, Jr. In an official ceremony attended by
over 65 people, Mayor Stroupe told the gathering that the donated truck,
engine #732, "represented the true generosity of the people of
Cherryville." Co-presenters of the fire truck were Cherryville Fire Chief
Jeff Cash and Robby Robson, a friend of San Pedro. Fire Chief Cash said
he and his department appreciated the opportunity to help San Pedro and
that firefighters are a brotherhood worldwide. Mr. Robson then thanked
the people of Cherryville for their support of San Pedro. Ramon Nuñez
followed with gracious remarks, accept ing the fire truck on behalf of
the Mayor of San Pedro, the Belize Government and the people of San
Pedro. Señor Nuñez said he was very honored to be with the wonderful
people of Cherryville and stated, "the people of San Pedro will be
sleeping very good after the truck is in San Pedro." Also recognized at
the ceremony were Cliff and Linda Kirk of San Pedro, who also thanked the
City Council and people of Cherryville for their support. There were
smiles and applause from the crowd for the presentation and Señor Nuñez's
remarks. On a humorous note, since the truck must actually be legally
sold to San Pedro, the Bill of Sale was presented to Ramon Nuñez for one
dollar. The $1 was donated by Fire Chief Cash and Mr. and Mrs. Riley Kirk
of Charlotte, NC, also friends of San Pedro. The fire truck should be
headed towards San Pedro in a matter of weeks. The Cherryville Government
and Robby Robson continue to work on options for the transportation of
the truck from Cherryville to Miami. They still hope to get the truck to
Miami free of charge. It is hoped that Chief Cash and other Cherryville
officials can visit San Pedro to train local firefighters on the
operation of the truck. Engine #732 was refurbished free of charge by
Triad Transportation Sales in Charlotte, NC ( a division of American
LaFrance, LLC, Greensboro, NC). Neighboring city and county fire
departments donated new hoses, ladders, nozzles, fire extinguishers and
breathing equipment for the truck.
In a private interview with
San Pedro Sun representative Cliff Kirk,
Mayor Stroupe said Cherryville sends the fire truck to the people of San
Pedro, "with best wishes and with wishes they never have to use it." Fire
Chief Cash said that fire safety is a great concern of his locally and
worldwide and "the reason I'm in this profession is to save lives and
property." He added that the brotherhood of firefighters is worldwide and
he is pleased to help San Pedro. Both the Mayor and Fire Chief said they
hope to continue a relationship with San Pedro Town in the future. All in
all, it was a wonderful Valentine's Day featuring a true gift from the
heart.
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