Community News 8/15/08
Fill the Boot goes well, chief says
By Mike Huffman
Spokas Editor

It took some doing, but the boots got filled Aug. 2.

Local firefighters collected $16,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association while working the corner of Sprague Avenue and Pines Road on that Saturday, with “no bad experiences” during this year’s “Fill the Boot” fund-raiser, according to fire officials.

Off-duty firefighters staked out the intersection and, when traffic was stopped, would solicit motorists to stuff dollars in empty boots for the local charity.

“We only had one phone call late Sunday from someone who was not happy,” Chief Mike Thompson told fire commissioners on Monday, adding that the complaint centered on firefighters doing the charity’s work. Thompson clarified no on-duty firefighters are ever used during the activity.

Mayor Richard Munson has also been a critic of the event, saying that firefighters entering traffic and obstructing traffic is inconsistent with the city’s laws. That issue is also at the heart of a new panhandling ordinance that is being worked on by the city.

The City Council last month commissioned the quick drafting of an ordinance that was adapted from the city of Tacoma that would allow the fund-raising event to go on as planned this year. It had been suggested that firefighters direct cars into parking lots to collect money, but that was deemed unworkable by the event’s organizers.

Last year, $24,000 was raised during Fill the Boot.

In other news, the commissioners:

• learned that the value of the existing Station 9, 11514 E. 16th Ave., is about $171,000. Fire commissioners agreed to try to advertise the property for sale and “see what happens.” The station, a neighborhood medic house, is set to be replaced.
• directed staff to work on a revised auto-aid agreement between the department and Fire District 8, which serves the southern portion of Spokane Valley. While crews from each district will respond to calls in both districts when needed, Deputy Chief Larry Rider said a more formal and detailed agreement should be drafted. The matter will be further discussed at an upcoming meeting.
• reiterated that a burning ban remains in effect for Spokane County and the cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and Millwood. Open burning and recreational fires are to be discontinued for 90 days. The order does not preclude the use of back-yard barbecues, chimneas or other patio/deck warmers as long as an approved fuel is used.