By: Gloria Young - Journal Staff Writer
The Newcastle Fire Department has received $50,000 from the United
Auburn Indian Community, presented in a ceremony at its board of
directors meeting Thursday evening.
The donation comes from the Community Giving Program, a philanthropic
branch established earlier this year to provide $1 million annually
from Thunder Valley Casino profits to nonprofit organizations in
Placer County.
"The Newcastle Fire Department has traditionally been very, very
responsive to any kind of problem on the reservation," said Kris
Martin, executive director of the giving program. "The tribe felt very
strongly that they wanted to acknowledge that support."
The funds arrive at a time when the fire district, along with many
others in the area, is feeling a budget pinch.
"We're just happy to be the recipients and we can certainly put it to
good use," said Neil Anderson, chairman of the Newcastle Fire
Protection District's board of directors.
How the funds are to be spent will be decided by the fire district
board, working with fire chief Mike Davis. But there is no shortage of
needs.
Anderson said he would like to see part of the donation put toward a
piece of land for a new fire station or for upgrading the aging
current station. And some of it will likely be earmarked to pay a
portion of the cost of the new Seagraves 2005 first-response engine set
for delivery in January.
The district also needs new firefighting equipment and protective
clothing, Davis said.
"We work very hard to scrimp and save as much as we can, so it's going
to be a tremendous resource to us this year," Anderson said.
Although providing some breathing room to acquire some of the things it
badly needs, Davis and Anderson both emphasized the donation
doesn't have an impact on the district's measures R and S on the
November ballot.
Measure R would authorize an amendment to the special tax as it applies
to commercial businesses, adding 5 cents for square foot to the
$65 flat fee already in place. Measure S authorizes the district to
continue to continue to spend money derived from the
voter-approved special tax that exceeds its appropriations limit as
defined by Article XIII B of the California Constitution.
The tax amendment is necessary to enable to fire district services to
keep pace with the expanding commercial sector, Davis said.
Davis, who only learned of the donation Wednesday, said fire district
employees will be very pleased to receive that kind of funding.
"The nice thing is the (United Auburn Indian Community) came to
us," he said." For many years, Newcastle Fire Department has
provided fire and emergency services to the Auburn Indian Rancheria and
the previous Fire Chief Ray Vega and his wife had established a
relationship with the residents that has continued."
In downtown Auburn Thursday, Dean Harris with the Placer County
Sheriff's Department, said he thought it was great.
"It doesn't make me want to go there more, but it reflects
favorably that they are giving back to the community," he
said.
According to Martin, other recipients of program's third-quarter
donations include the Assistance League of Greater Placer County,
$50,000; Placer Land Trust, $50,000; Skyridge Elementary School, $8,000
for construction of a shade structure over the Larry Ford Life Lab; the
Gold Country Toy Run, $10,000; and Placer Independent Resources
Services, $20,700.
The program also authorized a challenge grant to the American Legion
War Memorial Fund, to provide matching funds up to $6,550.
