By By Steve Swogetinsky/The Meridian Star
March 7, 2001
QUITMAN Last year, the DeSoto Volunteer Fire Department improved its fire rating from a Class 10 to a Class 8, and now the department is going to get a new station.
The Clarke County Board of Supervisors awarded a contract to Paul McCarra to build three new bays onto the existing garage area. The new building will be 40 feet-by-60 feet-by-12 feet.
able to do this."
This decision came on a 3-0 vote during Monday's meeting. Supervisors Tony Fleming and Paul Mosley were in Washington attending a national conference.
Located just a few miles south of Quitman, the DeSoto VFD has been in existence since 1983. Over the years, volunteers have worked on installing water lines and fire hydrants in their rural district, and have added equipment along the way.
The DeSoto VFD has 17 members.
Getting the lower rating was important when it came last summer, and getting the new fire station will be the icing on the cake, said Fire Chief Andy Reese.
In other actions, supervisors:
Approved the county culvert report;
Authorized the county administrator and the county payroll clerk to attend seminars; and
Bought 13 new U.S. flags to be flown around the courthouse.
Boykin noted that the Chickasawhay River has backed up over Highway 512 between Quitman and Pachuta, as expected. The road is closed but Boykin said it should be re-opened in a couple of days provided there is no more rain.
Steve Swogetinsky is regional editor of The Meridian Star. E-mail him atsswogetinsky@themeridianstar.com.