Te Leicester September 23 - September 29, 2010 Vol. 3 No. 38


Leader


By Clint Parker Questions concerning the French


Broad Fire Department’s decision to end ambulance service have residents concerned. Te French Broad Fire Depart-


ment Board of Directors recently voted to end ambulance service be-


cause of costs, but the current budget from the Buncombe County Depart- ment of Emergency Management shows that the department was given $50,000 for operations of the ambu- lance. According to the budget, oper- ations cost for the ambulance is only $14,400, not counting personnel. Te entire budget for the year 2010- 2011 is $470,850, while projected


revenue is only $405,061 leaving a projected deficit of about $80,000. In July board president David


Buckner said there were no plans to take the ambulance out of service. At that time, Buckner said the board decided to reduce the ambulance’s hours in order to cut the operating costs and accommodate the lack of qualified personnel.


‘Smash and grab’ at Leicester ABC


By Clint Parker An early morning break-in at


the Leicester ABC Store at 339 New Leicester Highway scored some spirits for the robbers as well as a photo session for the security cameras, according to an Asheville


ABC Law Enforcement official. Te crime occurred about 4 am


Wednesday morning (Sept. 22) in what Asheville ABC Law Enforce- ment Chief Alfred Bottego called a classic “smash-and-grab” event. Te exact items that were taken were not known, but Bottego said it was only liquor. No money was


missing. Bottego said more than one per-


son was involved, but would not say how many. He said that they are working some very active leads and had not made a decision to re- lease the pictures as of press time. “We don’t want to reveal too much at this time,” he added.


Fender bender injures one


A red Subaru rear-ended a black Mitsubishi on Monday afternoon on Leicester Highway in front of the Tradin’ Post. Photo by Catherine Hunter


By Catherine Hunter A wreck on the corner of Leic-


ester Highway and North Turkey Creek sent a grandmother to the hospital with a cut arm Monday (Sept. 20). According to witnesses, She rear-ended a 1997 black Mit- subishi driven by an Erwin High School student heading home from school. Te woman was driving her two granddaughters home in a red


www.leicesterleader.com


Subaru when she hit the Mitsubishi driven by the Erwin student also heading home from school. Te driver of the Mitsubishi said there was a line of cars waiting to turn onto North Turkey Creek. “She didn’t realize I was turn-


ing, I guess,” said the driver, whose name was not disclosed because he is a minor. “It’s a good thing every- one is OK.” Te Leicester Fire Department reported to the scene and transport-


ed the injured in the ambulance to the hospital for a cut on her arm. Her granddaughter, also an Erwin High School student, said the air- bag caused the cut. A family mem- ber arrived at the scene to care for the two girls. North Carolina State Trooper


P.J. Morgan said the grandmother failed to reduce speed and charges are pending. Morgan said the in- cident happened around 1:40 pm. Te scene cleared within the hour.


WEEKLY COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 50¢ Leicester • Erwin Hills • Alexander • Woodfin • West Buncombe • Newfound Fifty Cents Fire budget reveals $80K shortfall At the French Broad Fire Depart-


ment’s August meeting, the board decided to terminate the ambulance service as of Aug. 31. Board members cited rising costs, poor collections and lack of available personnel as the reasons for taking the ambulance from service. Te Leader has learned that a lack


of qualified personnel could be due to the fact that the department has a policy of only hiring from the com-


munity. Residents who attended the depart-


ment’s Sept. 14 meeting to protest the end of the ambulance service say they would rather have the ambulance than fire trucks, while others are sug- gesting an increase in the mileage tax to cover the costs. Te lion’s share of the budget is


salaries and wages, which come to $210,000, followed closely by equip- ment payments of $102,500.


For a complete itemized list of the budget, see chart. September 23 - September 29, 2010 - THE TRIBUNE/LEADER 15


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