County Board receptive to financially helping the City of Decorah to buy an aerial ladder fire truck

Decorah City Council member Chuck Lore got a warm reception Tuesday morning when he appeared before the Winneshiek County Board to discuss the city's desire to buy a $900,000 aerial ladder fire truck from the city of Indianola.

Lore told supervisors he has already approached Luther College officials about getting the college to donate money towards the purchase, since it has dormitories that are eight stories tall.

Ossian Fire Department member Bill Green told supervisors the new aerial ladder would benefit "every single person in the county," adding "We are very much in favor of this (purchase)."

No dollar figures were discussed by the supervisors, but they all supported the idea of a county contribution.  Supervisor Mark Kuhn called it "a countywide safety investment," while supervisor Floyd Ashbacher, a former Winneshiek County Sheriff, said "I know how important it is."

As Tuesday's meeting ended, County Board Chair John Logsdon told Lore, "I think you've made the case."