Mercersburg, Montgomery, Peters and Warren Fire Board close to ...

[Big Dog]

Trish wrote:

Frederick was a dump at one time but they didn't knock down the buildings that gave it character. Those people had vision, transformed the city and are successfully marketing their history. Property values have risen because of it.

Do you know that Fredrick is probably 10 times larger than little ole Mercersburg?

[Trish]

While Frederick is larger than Mercersburg there are other small towns that make a profit off of their unique character such as Sturbridge, Mass., Grantsville Md., and Manassas Va. Tim is right, we know for sure that we aren't going to make a dime off of a parking lot. Maybe you will ante up the money when the fire co. outgrows its current location.

[Karen Ramsburg]

Trish--don't forget Wye Oak, MD...home of the 300 yr. old enormous oak tree!

Big dog--That was 1.7 billion generated in MD over 12 years. A parking lot isn't going to generate a dime.

[Big Dog]

You guys are some real dreamers I'll tell ya. Have a great holiday because there is no getting through to you at all that it just won't happen ever in this town.

[Karen Ramsburg]

I just can't believe we are even havig this debate over whether or not to tear down the birthplace of the American Revolution.

[Trish]

Anyone care to comment on the following books: "James Smith Frontier Patriot" by Thomas Price Smith or "The First Rebel" by Neil H. Swanson...or how about the memoirs of James Smith, "An Account of the Remarkable Occurrence in the Life and Travels Col. James Smith during his Captivity with the Indians 1755-1759". The PA archives are noteworthy as well. And the compelling thesis written by Patrick Spero Ph.D. titled "Creating Pennsylvania: The Politics of the Frontier and the State, 1682-1800". I agree, it is unbelievable that we are debating whether to destroy the birthplace of the American Revolution.

[Tim McCown]

It is important to mention that Patrick Spero's thesis was written in 2009. Scholars are now taking another look at this important piece of our history and redefining the birthplace of the American Revolution.

[Wondering in Mercersburg]

Why doesn’t the fire board speak for itself? Their mouthpiece, Chief Dusty Stoner, waffles in the press, saying the board is open to all options, interested in seeing if the house qualifies for the National Register, and suggesting that the board would sell the property if they can make a profit. But in private, the fire board is holding secret meetings to move towards demolition.

Does the board feel a real need for tearing down the house and putting up a parking lot? If so, what is their urgency for that need? If they really just want to turn a profit on the property, what is their asking price?

Let’s hear from the fire board itself about what they really want, and their reasons why.

[Tim McCown]

Excellent point. The fire board needs to make its real intentions clear.

[Karen Ramsburg]

Here again the idea of "secret meetings" surfaces. Aren't they illegal? The fire board should turn over all minutes to each of their meetings since August 2009 to prove they have operated in good faith.

[Mercersburg resident]

On Halloween parade night here in Mercersburg the fire board placed a full page ad in the local Merchant advertising "sandwich, drink, and fries to benefit the property next door". When I saw this ad I thought that the fire board had a change of heart and wanted to save the Smith House. Now I see this as deception. I'd like to know how much $ they collected from the community on parade night from folks who thought they wanted to save the house.

[Bells will be ringing]

No Dog in Fight wrote:

Mr Bickley : Does it feel good to anger the people who come to your aid when you call 911 ??? Human nature is such that you p**s me off, forget you !!!!!!

If my name was Mr. Bickley I would find out who left this comment and hoped they worked for the Mercersburg Fire Department or were a fire board member. To the person who left this remark: You had better hope you are not associated with the fire company in any way shape or form. And if you are you ought to think about responding REAL FAST if Mr. Bickley places a 911 call. Mr. Bickley might end up owning the fire station and the Smith House because of your threat.

[mercerbg mom]

I agree on a better location. How often is traffic held up and accidents almost happen when the firetruck is trying to back into the firehouse? Maybe if we had a better facility, we might get lucky enough to get some new volunteers who actually know the difference between Peters and Montgomery Twp. on Mercersburg Road. Maybe we'd even get a timely response insteady of calling company 18. Buy some maps with their extra money so they know which way to drive when responding to a call.