A brouhaha over fire protection is developing in Gluckstadt. The city of Canton asked the Madison County Board of Supervisors to de-annex the area covered by the Gluckstadt Fire Department from Canton. The Gluckstadt Fire Department responded on Facebook:
All citizens that have kids that attend Germantown Middle and High Schools please pay close attention to this post. Most people do not know, but the road that runs in front of the schools which is Calhoun Station Parkway is inside the South Madison County Fire Protection District also known as the Gluckstadt Fire Department, it is also inside the City of Canton, the reason Canton annexed this area a few years ago, was because the developers of the failed Neumarkt (may not be spelled right) needed a TIF and had to be inside a city limits, Gluckstadt was not incorporated, there were three people opposing the annexation that were members of the Gluckstadt FD due to possible affects that it would have on the fire district, and us not getting the calls to respond to emergencies because all the calls will be going to the dCity of Canton, (and they did which is against the law under which we were created), we were assured that the fire district would not be affected if our opposition was dropped, with an agreement from the Attorneys for the developers and City Canton we dropped our opposition.
Today at a board of supervisors meeting, the City of Cantons Attorny along with the Canton Fire Chief requested that the BOS vote to de-annex the South Madison County Fire District (Gluckstadt Fire Dept) from all areas that the City annexed inside our district, which if successful, would decease our funding which will affect others areas in the fire district, we depend on these funds for operating a top notch fire department.
The reason I brought up the schools, if Calhoun Station is taken out of our district, the response time for the fire department to get to your child, if they were involved in an Vehicle accident, would increase, because Canton’s nearest station is 6 miles away compared to our 3 three miles. If there were two vehicles involved with more then two passengers each, Canton only has Two men on a fire Truck and will only send one unit. GFD will send Two fire truck with Three guys each truck a Shift Commander and Fire Marshal, and any volunteers EMTs that are in the area.
Cantons justifications for the de-annexation is the claims of double taxation, but our district was formed first and we were covering that area before the greed of a developers came in. Your Pie and that development will also be taken out. Please notify your supervisors to ask them to not let this happen, this is going to affect the entire fire district. Watch today’s BOS meeting starting at 26:29 mins
Canton Fire Chief Kenna Pierce Pierce said the city wanted to de-annex because some residents were taxed twice. The Board did not vote on the matter.
51 comments:
What parcel numbers are taxed twice? Much easier to correct the millage for a few than de-annex.
I did not know that board of supervisors has anything to do with annexation. I thought that was done by the Chancery Court.
The Gluckstadt Fire Department is run by a chief that hires buddies and family members. I am glad I don’t live in that nepotistic fire district. Their leadership is a joke.
@ 4:54pm - That would be too logical, and not sit with Canton’s actual agenda to try to lure some other failed development to the location so they have some justification of keeping that area south of the Nissan plant. They know once Gluckstadt incorporation happens, the land grab to the south is over. And if they don’t develop the land grab they somehow got approved south of Nissan ten years ago, they will be fighting over keeping it... at least the Sowell exit and south. No idea if it is even possible without Canton voluntarily relinquishing it, but the land across from Germantown High and Sowell exit would be developed by now without Canton and their ridiculous millage.
I’m not sure that I’m buying that a volunteer county FD can respond faster than a municipal FD. Is Canton FD full time?
This is more about the flow of funds than it is about anybody’s safety.
Beavis: " City of Canton".
Butt-head: "Huh Huh . . . Huh Huh . . . "
Lord have mercy what some convoluted writing.
What language is the fire chief speaking?
What’s really going on here!?!
Can Jackson de-annex South and West Jackson? Instant 90% reduction in crime and unemployment.
EVERY annexation by Canton is nothing but bald-faced a tax grab. Same for Jackson though after the courts smacked down their attempt to annex the Byram area Jackson is effectively out of the annexation business.
And if Mississippi could de-annex Jackson and the Delta, we’d shoot up in every positive ranking.
Star Rider: There’s nothing convoluted about it. When you gain the knowledge to understand it, you will understand it. I have faith in you. Do not give up.
By law,a Fire Protection District may not cede a area unless the municipality can provide equal or better coverage. If Canton’s station is six miles away, it doesn’t rise to that standard. Also there is no mechanism in the law to “de-annex” anything. The county would have to completely dissolve the district, then reestablish with new boundaries. That means petitions, affidavits from certain land owners, legal advertising, and hearings.
Also, Canton would most likely take a bit on their insurance rating, due to the distance issue.
Wrong, 9:56...Not only the language in the Facebook post, but the speaking from the podium and the whole damned thing is convoluted to the point that nobody understands what the hell is going on. Nobody.
It's no wonder the Board took no action. Not a one of them understands what all this is about, not a one of them would know how to word a motion and they don't even know whether they have any jurisdiction in the matter.
Along comes the Board Attorney with her 'Umm, Umm'.
7:30AM - same for Madison
The Gluckstadt Fire Department is not volunteer and they run a tight shift and have 3 to 4 men on a truck when I see them versus the city of canton who just runs 2 men on a truck. And I hope canton fails on there attempt to land grab because there fire department can’t handle what they have right now and always want more and more money.
Gluckstadt Fire Department is a statutorily created fire protection district. It is commonly referred to as the Gluckstadt Fire Department, but its legal/governmental entity name is "South Madison County Fire Protection District." This is stated in the first few lines of the posted article. It is NOT a volunteer fire department. They have full time employees. In order to annex, or conversely "de-annex," any area, as well as millage, the BOS must approve.
As for the "double taxation," the fire district was there first. Canton annexed them, so any blame for double taxation should be on the city. As one poster noted, the houses/property that is being taxed by the city could easily be ascertained and those owners receive a refund from the city. If anyone has standing to protest the "double taxation" it is the property owners, not the city which is the taxing authority.
Lastly, there is a process whereby the city can "buy" the area out of the fire protection district. But again, that has to be approved by the BOS, and given that Canton would have to pay, approval would also have to come from their city council/alderman.
Canton is just like Jackson, they want to grab a viable productive area, then rape and pillage all they money they can get their hands on till it's no longer worth anything.
After that they'll just wash their hands of it and let it turn into a wasteland of abandoned buildings and parking lots.
KF, I’ve been in actual firefights in Iraq. Perhaps you need to look up the definition of “literally”. Definitely a headline grabber though misleading.
5:16: I think we agree that the podium is embarrassing and the board doesn't appear to be experienced enough to understand the situation. The City cannot just up and decide (after annexing some 530 stand alone acres of what they thought was going to be Outlets of Mississippi), umm we don't want you anymore. It is Canton's baby now. Even though it is nearly two miles away from the original corporate limits. Look at who's family owns land out that way. Supervisor Banks ring a bell. No Leadership. It is all fruitless. I'm wasting my damn time being pissed off.
So glad I live in Fondren. These redneck Gluckolds have their heads so far up they ass it ain’t even funny.
Can't you see that all of this has to do with annexation? The more of an area they have in their district the easier it is for them to make a claim right next door. This is just the start, Gluckstadt has a long road on this as Canton wants that area around the school and most likely will get it based on the fact that their municipal city limit is right next to it. Had Gluckstadt already been incorporated they could possibly lay claim to the area but throwing up a city application after Canton files to incorporate the area will cause a red flag with the courts.
It’s funny you say that because since 2002 when he became chief the process of the department has grown from a totally volunteer to a municipal level fire department with payed personnel. The people you say are family have been there for years even as volunteers. If you don’t live in the district you don’t have no right to talk. Everyone in that fire district is very pleased with the way that our fire men serve our community.
@1:44 a.m.,
8:22 a.m. poster here. You are correct as to the process regarding ceding the area. It can't happen unless there is proof that the municipality can provide equal or better coverage. And that is unlikely given the distances of the fire stations, as well as statistics kept in every fire departments' run reports.
One thing that you note is the potential hit on their fire rating. An increase on the insurance as a result would certainly be more than any "double taxation" property owners are experiencing for living in the FPD and city.
The BOS doesn't want to get in the middle of this.
@ 6:18 not everyone is as well spoken as you obviously. Kenna Pierce is a fine fire chief, but he is an even better father. Always made sure his kids were respectful, and in class. Which is why his son, Kenna Pierce, Jr. is currently a student at the United States Naval Academy. But, whatever makes you feel better.
Henry is not too smart. He hires buddies and family to work for him and that fire department is a joke.
How could it be Kenna's fault? He's just the Chief making a suggestion. Seemed nervous. Maybe his son should come back and figure this out, since he was in class, respectful, and is in the Naval Academy. Wait, he isn't a politician or a fireman. Smart kid.
@12:08 post. You obviously don’t know him or no one would comment anything negatively about him. Anybody that currently works for him knows he’s a great and caring chief that always fights for the right thing and to provide superior service for the fire district. Whoever you are you must have been let go by GFD or didn’t get hired and for that I’m sorry but you can always reapply.
For all of you that are saying that Henry only hires family and buddies are stupid. I live in this community and I am very pleased with what that man has done! Gluckstadt Fire Department has worked very hard to get to where they are at. How dare you speak of a department that there for it’s community like they are. You must have gotten fired from there.
"If you don’t live in the district you don’t have no right to talk. Everyone in that fire district is very pleased with the way that our fire men serve our community."
Oh, Really? As county citizens and taxpayers those of who don't live in 'the district'...'don't have no right to talk'? What jungle did you grow up in. We are all stakeholders (look it up) in whatever happens in our county, no matter where we live.
And what gives you the authority to speak for 'everyone in that fire district'? Get some sleep so you can enjoy your FD shift and day off.
I don't know the Gluckstadt chief from Adam's house cat, but I do know he's an entitled smart ass when interacting with others, whether personally or on social media.
If you don’t know the chief then you have no right to talk about him. For all everyone knows you might be a smart butt to but we don’t talk about you on a blog and neither should anyone talk about him! As for everyone saying that he only hires family members and buddies well I feel sorry for y’all having to work at a place where you don’t have any friends or buddies to lean on. However all of y’all are wrong! There are many many people at that fire department that aren’t related or family but the fire department as a whole makes everyone family and that’s how a job should be, but not just the fire department they make the whole district a family and honestly I much rather have them caring for me and my family than I would canton any day! Y’all all need to basically grow up and stop acting like children talking about people that y’all don’t even personally know! That’s what’s wrong with the world today! This is ridiculous, but don’t talk about people that y’all don’t know. Btw that chief from Gluckstadt that most of y’all are so hating on is one of the most caring and best men I will ever meet. He really cares about his department, his guys, and most importantly all of the people in his district or else he wouldn’t be sacrificing his life 24/7 for people who just want to talk negative about him like they actually know him!
You just said you don’t know him from Adams house cat. Exactly my point! You don’t know him.
You definitely don’t know him from Adam because if you did you would not think that.
Did y’all listen to the video? Kenna could not even speak words correct. He had no clue what he was saying. The lawyer had to speak for him so everyone could understand what the idiot was saying.
So you say Henry only hires family and friends, I know personally that Kenna grew up and was best friends with the new asst. chief he just appointed. So there you go!!
KF, I’ve been in actual firefights in Iraq. Perhaps you need to look up the definition of “literally”. Definitely a headline grabber though misleading.
Find the courage Mr. Soldier to start your own media business and apply your own best practices for headlines, etc.. Perhaps you need to look up the definition of the terms marketplace and competition.
Most of you are missing what is really going on here. The City of Canton wants to get the Gluckstadt Fire Dept out of that area because they objected to Canton annexing any area that the people of Gluckstadt want to incorporate. It's pay back, pure and simple. The Madison Sheriff Dept has had to respond to calls in that area at Canton's request because Canton PD doesn't have the manpower to cover what they have now. It's well documented in the sport documents. The Canton Fire Dept. lost a rating class (from class 5 to class 6) which increased the fire insurance in the city for homeowners and businesses. Gluckstadt FD is in the process of going from a class 6 to a class 5. Glucksat FD runs with at least 3 full-time firefighters on their engines and sometime 4. And they have trained people that also volunteer with the department. Their equipment is some of the best in the state. As far as people working for the fire department being friends and family to the Fire Chief, that is true. However, if you know anything about the fire service it has a long history of family following in the footsteps of family that has gone before them. This is true of all 1st responders. I for one am very concerned about "lessening" the services we now receive. I think the Fire Chief for Canton is probably a good guy. He is just following the orders of the Mayor and City Attorney. And for the record, I am not an employee of the fire dept.
Supervisor Griffin is behind some of this crap also!
Watch him play it.....
Let’s see if any of the remaining 4 have the guts to stand up!
Most of Canton city leadership is corrupt too!
Of course Henry Davis hires his kinfolk. They all live on the same little private road on the north side of Yandell Road, east of Bainbridge Subdivision. See how many folks on that little road work for the fire department. And see if they have to follow the same rules concerning hydrants, etc. that others have to follow when they build/develop on a road.
I do live in Gluckstadt in the fire district, so I have the right to talk.
Welllll now we have Supervisor Bishop avoiding calls and request to meet and discuss this.
Guess he’s going to vote to grant this de-Annex!!
Any bets?
Griffin has him and Steen right where he wants them.
4:42, 4:43, 5:04....Please say whatever you have to say in one post instead of multiple attempts. Thanks. What kin are you?
I don't have to 'know' the guy to recognize a smart ass on social media.
2:19 - Bishop is the Lame Dork on the Board. He will vote whatever he thinks will piss off the most people. Griffin is way not smart enough to figure any of this out on his own. I ain't familiar with who lives down (or up) Henry's road. Is there banjo music up in there?
Henry: list your personnel and their family relationship, if any. Or don't.
This right here is a complexicated situation. Pitcher the county attorney, "Umm, Umm".
More at stake here than whether the fire chief hires his friends or relatives. Its about the safety of our kids driving on that parkway and the safety of the citizens. Wake up folks!
So you say they all live on the same road! Wrong!! You have no clue. Everyone has to follow the county rule where you live! You are definitely the one that got fired from Gluckstadt because you were drunk on the job! Stupid!
Y’all are all so immature!!! If you don’t know Henry or the fire chief at Canton y’all shouldn’t be even opening your mouths! It shouldn’t concern y’all where Henry lives or who he lives by! For whoever said where he lives that is none of anyone’s business where it is. That’s ridiculous! Y’all are all a bunch of idiots who need to shut the heck up!!! Y’all wouldn’t be talking like this if it was y’all and y’all don’t know what y’all are putting the families of these chiefs through having to read negative comments about them every day and night! I’m talking about both chiefs at both stations. Leave them alone!!!!!!
Alright snowflake if your so big and bad and not scared of nothing why don’t you go to the the station and talk to him man to man. To talk about his family on here shows how big of a dick you are. Anyone who talks about someone and brings their family in it is a low life piece of crap.
When is the next supervisor meeting?
Has anyone talked to them? What Supervisor has said they will not support this de-Annex request?
I bet Griffin is squeezing the balls of Bishop and Steen.
Wait for it .....
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