MCKENZIE (December 13) -- McKenzie City Council unanimously approved the purchase of a 1988 model Pierce fire pumper after hearing one of the city’s reserve pumpers was inoperable.

Mayor Winchester said he authorized Fire Chief Brian Tucker to bid up to $20,000 for the pumper through an online auction. The pumper is located in Pennsylvania and will be delivered or driven to McKenzie at the buyer’s expense. It has seating for 10 firefighters including the driver, an Allison 4-speed automatic transmission, Detroit diesel engine, 1,500-gallon-per-minute pumper, 750-gallon onboard water tank, three ladders, and a diesel generator. Tucker said the truck will respond to fires and rescue calls, and replace two vehicles - the rescue truck and the inoperable 1969 Howe pumper, which has a broken transmission and a failing water pump.

Dr. John Nelson of the McKenzie Fire Department said the pumper is coming from his home county in Pennsylvania. The new pumper is painted yellow. In that county, it’s a tradition to have various colored pumpers, said Nelson.

The council also approved two appointments. Former mayor Bob Putman was appointed to a six-year term to the McKenzie Industrial Development Board (Industrial Board) to fill the expired seat of Van Ramsey. Willie Mae Anderson and Larry Ridley were both re-appointed to the McKenzie Water Commission for four-year terms.

Final zoning approval was granted for a parcel of property adjoining the hospital-medical (H-M) district. The former Gaskins home, along U.S. 79 and adjacent to New Age Skin Care, was rezoned to H-M. The property was recently purchased by McKenzie Medical Center. No citizens attended the public hearing prior to the vote.

An invoice in the amount of $2,800 was approved for payment to Jennings Concrete of Holladay, Tennessee for the construction of three wheelchair ramps into the downtown park. Winchester said the park had to meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) approval. He noted he already had several compliments on the conversions of steps to ramps.

A $100 donation was approved for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis. Winchester said another organization is going to equally match the city’s donation.

Councilwoman Jill Holland said the Parks and Recreation Committee introduced committee member Debbie Broadbent, who recently attended the Tennessee Parks and Recreation Conference in Gatlinburg.

Broadbent said the city of McKenzie has several successful festivals and events throughout the year, in part, because the city partners with local civic and service organizations. The conference provided some insight into festivals and the operations of the events. Broadbent said she was very pleased how well McKenzie ranked with the other communities. She noted that city representation at the conferences provides insight concerning recreational and community grant opportunities. Martin will hold the Little League World Series, said Broadbent. Several McKenzians have volunteered to help Martin with the event to learn about operating such an event here. She noted the largest population block is the aging Baby Boomers. Cities need to prepare recreational, arts and humanities opportunities for this group as well as other ages. She picked up information about fireworks show and skateboard parks to present to the city fathers.

She noted that one group would provide camps for city league coaches to provide a certification and to limit the city’s legal liabilities.

Broadbent attended the conference at her own initiative and own expense, said Holland.

Councilwoman Darra Adkins was absent. Mayor Winchester said Adkins is in McKenzie Health Care Center recovering from a broken leg.

• Bethel Student to Perform on Opry, Again
• Motorcycle Accident Claims Life of Trezevant Man
• McKenzie Approves Fire Truck Purchase
• Huntingdon School Board Approves $99,370 Middle School HVAC Bid
• Christmas Holidays for Carroll County Schools
• Thieves Strike Two Bruceton Businesses