May 25, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


For Media Information:
John Blair - 707-874-2399
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Occidental Volunteer Fire Department Expands

“After years of strict spending controls and an adherence to good fiscal practices, the Occidental Volunteer Fire Department (OVFD) has managed to save an amazing $850,000 towards the costs of our remodel and addition building project starting this month,” says OVFD Chief, Ron Lunardi. “What's more impressive is that we did this without charging our full tax rate of $20 per unit to the taxpayers and kept the tax rate at the original $12 all of these years. [Editors note: a home is charged 4 “units” on their property tax bill.] When the district special tax was first presented to the voters, we held town hall-style meetings where representatives of the Fire Department, Assistant Chief Ray Lunardi, Captain Coy Brown, myself and others, explained our needs for better equipment, training, and the serious need for new building facilities. We are now housed in the old County Roads building, and have been since 1975 when we gave our original building [where the Occidental Health Center is now] up to allow a medical doctor to come to town. We explained our needs and goals to the Occidental community and they voted overwhelmingly for our tax measure to pass. My goal as Fire Chief has been to see that we keep our word to the people of Occidental and use this tax money wisely and frugally. We have applied for and received grants to help with equipment and training, have run our yearly fundraisers, and have upgraded and maintained our trucks and equipment on strict schedules that have prevented costly unseen expenses.”
Chief Lunardi went on to explain, “While we have done an incredible job saving the funds, the project could not have been postponed any longer due to the extremely poor conditions of the current building (a single bathroom, no kitchen, no offices, etc) and the need to begin construction while all permits and similar concerns were within the timetable. The entire project is expected to cost around $1.2 million. We will be accepting donations, working hard on fundraisers, and seeking a bridge loan to allow us to complete work and make payments from future tax revenues as they come in. Donations may be mailed to OVFD, PO Box 157, Occidental 95465. The new building will provide for offices for the Occidental Community Services District (OCSD), the District secretary, Fire Chief, and have space available for use by law enforcement and ambulances when they are working in our area.”
OCSD Board President, Ray Lunardi, added, “Now that we have successfully finished the water project for Occidental, we expect this fire department building expansion to go smoothly. We now have a staffed ambulance back in town full-time as well, which will decrease our response time and increase our ability to get critical emergency medical care to the residents of Occidental. I would like to thank all of the people who usually go unnamed that volunteer so much of their time to make Occidental such a great place to live.”

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