By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Centralia firefighters are showing their gratitude for the recent passage of their levy by cooking breakfast for the public on Saturday.
Pancakes, eggs and sausage will be on the house for members of their community, paid for by International Association of Firefighters Local 451 and the Riverside Firefighters Association.
Heading up the kitchen crew will be Lee Coumbs, board of commissioners member.
“The reason is just to say thank you,” Riverside Fire Authority Firefighter and union president Rick LeBoeuf said. “Thank you for voting for the levy, thank you for supporting us.”
The fire department that protects more than 180 square miles in and around Centralia last month asked citizens to consider a new maintenance and operations levy, to supplement a steeply declining budget. The department had already seen a nearly 30 percent loss in response forces this year, and the levy money was meant to stabilize personnel and services at the current level.
It passed with just over 65 percent of voters saying yes.
The open house and community appreciation breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. and runs until 11:30 a.m. It will be held at Riverside’s headquarter’s station at 1818 Harrison Avenue in Centralia.
Tours of the station will include opportunities for children to board the fire trucks and ambulances, according to LeBoeuf.
They’ve combined the event with an opportunity to help those who are working to reopen the Pearl Street Veterans Memorial Pool.
Fire Chief Mike Kytta says being supporters of people having a safe place to swim, they’ve invited individuals from the pool to be on hand to answer questions and accept donations toward its restoration.
What: Open house and community appreciation breakfast
When: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014
Time: 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
Where: 1818 Harrison Avenue, Centralia
Cost: Free, but donations will be accepted on behalf of Save The Outdoor Pool