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Fire department responds to fishy call
Published Tuesday, July 22, 2008
NATCHEZ — On Friday evening the Natchez Fire Department responded to a fishy call.
Interim Chief Oliver Stewart said the call came from the owner of a fish pond who was in need of assistance.
The pond’s owner, Joe Pickett, said he called the fire department because he was concerned with the pond’s water and oxygen levels.
Pickett said since there has been so little rain lately the pond has not been replenished.
“It was starting to get a bit low,” he said.
Pickett said he thought the situation qualified as an emergency.
And concerned his stock of brim, catfish and bass would start to die, Pickett called the fire department.
Pickett would not say if he used the fishpond for recreation or as a means of income.
Stewart said the fire department responded to Pickett’s call for help to aerate the pond, not fill the pond.
Stewart said approximately 200 to 300 gallons of water were sprayed over the pond in an effort to mix oxygen into the pond, not as a means to raise the level of the pond.
And while Pickett said he was grateful for the fire department’s assistance, that assistance was not legal.
Natchez City Clerk Donnie Holloway said it’s a violation of Mississippi State Code for the city to make “a donation of service” like filling or aerating a pond.
Holloway cited an opinion from the attorney general that stated it was appropriate for the fire department to fill swimming pools but only if the pool’s owner compensated the city.
But Stewart said no payment was ever discussed.
“We were just helping him out,” Stewart said.
And Stewart said the department, while not regularly, and has helped in the past with similar requests.
The NFD recently assisted a woman whose well had run dry and was out of water, Stewart said.
Holloway said while the replenishment of the pond was technically against the law it’s not likely there will be consequence.
“No one’s going to get thrown in jail,” he said.
In the extremely unlikely event anyone would be prosecuted for Friday’s fish rescue, it would come as a surprise to Stewart.
Stewart said he was unaware that aerating Pickett’s pond was against the law.
“We were just trying to help,” Stewart said. “When people need help that’s what they do, they call the fire department.”
Comments
Posted by bulldozer (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 6:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Knowing what or what not to do is a very important quality of the Chief Executive Officer. This was wrong and was lacking sound judgement.
Posted by bear45 (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 6:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Put yourself in this man's position he was in the process of loosing a pond full of fish, why not help him out? I don't see a bit of harm in helping out a fellow neighbor. Last Friday I was traveling down St. Catherine St. and there was the fire truck watering the Crepe Myrtles that are planted on the sides of the St. If anything, I would think this cost an arm and a leg to run the truck up and down the streets to water the Crepe Myrtles, who paid for that?
Posted by bulldozer (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fire Apparatus are designed to do certain jobs. It is the CEO or his designated personnel to assign work. Then these people must know better inorder to get effective and cost efficient pratices for City Taxpayers. We the People deserve better than this.
Posted by harvest1 (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 7:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go NFD. Not only serve, but help. Keep up the good work. Stewart should be the new fire chief. He can make good decisions. With all of the crime, and hate we have now it is good to see someone in that position reach out and help someone in need.
Posted by humorme (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I need my house pressure washed. NFD emergency
Posted by wifetoone (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
bulldozer, The NFD must be on your hit list.
Posted by humorme (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually I don't see the harm in this practice. The practice of assisting citizens under extrodinary circumstances. Who else would/could help this guy? The equipment needs to be used to make sure its working properly and that the guys remember how to turn it on. Good job NFD.
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The reason we live in a podunk town without an interstate is so people can be people to one another.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I applaud the fire department for their help. Whatever happened to neighbor helping neighbor? Some on these forums have said that the people of Natchez are "hateful" and will not help each other. So don't complain when Natchezians do help each other. Good Work NFD!
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
freedom42...I salute your wise post! In this world gone wrong, it's almost illegal to help your neighbor! All these new stupid laws are preventing human kindness. What's the biggest law in the Bible? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!!!!!
I salute you NFD!!! Seems like giving has turned political...and we all know what that means!
Posted by blessed_momma (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Im right with you kpage! Every word you said, I ditto. God bless you all! I just wish that the love and kindness was still in practice the way it was when I was growing up.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I like bream and catfish and fat babies and watermelon wine.
Joe Pickett. Does anyone remember who the "Wicked Pickett" was?
Posted by Hambone (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I had the same problem with my pond a few years back, I rented a gas powered pump to circulate the water. I'll wait and call on the FD when I really need them.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
blessed...seems like almost everyone has the "all for me and none for you" mentality. It just breaks my heart. I want LOVE in this world, for all to get along. If we don't give, we receive nothing of benefit. I like to look at it like this...make regular deposits in God's bank so we're deserving of our huge withdrawals.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hardcorp, I remember a Wilson Pickett, but the watermelon wine reminds me of a Tom T Hall song. "Old dogs, children, and Watermelon Wine".
Posted by lroberts1 (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wish someone would tell the Vidalia fire department to go some good for the citizens of Vidalia. I have been trying to get the culbert THAT BELONGS TO THE PARISH washed out, so it will drain. NOPE they say that's not thier job.. when my house floods they will be talking out the other side of thier mouth/BUT we need a new police jury man for this area two that will do what he said he would do . CLEAN THE CULBERT OUT, it's full of dirt.I can't crawl into there,& dig it out..... Man what is wrong with some (officials). why take the job if all you are going to do is say one thing and do the other...wonder if the Natchez dept would come over and do this fire departments job?????? Guess that goes all the way up to the president. say one thing than do another. That's my opinion and I am sticking to it/////
Posted by Hambone (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Love and kindness don't cost $5/gallon like the diesel it takes to power fire trucks.
Posted by lroberts1 (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I offered to PAY to get the culbert washed out with the high powered water. He said NO. BUT they had been filing someone ELSE pool for them.. what kind od deal is this any way???
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hambone is right, the city/coutny is already having problems getting their budget right with the rising fuel cost. Now is not the time for favors, doesn't matter what govt agency is, times are tough with this fuel problem.
Posted by lookingout (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i think the NFD did a good thing here......i bet if it was your fish that was about to die you would have wanted them to help you out..... way to go NFD
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I believe I read somewhere that the fire department can use water from a swimming pool or nearby pond if necessary to put out a fire. I think they have maps showing the location of all pools and ponds in the area. So maybe filling the pond/pool was for their benefit also.
Posted by Hambone (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It was my fish about to die, but I'm not one to mooch off the the gov't at the cost of taxpayers. Maybe the FD can come fill water bowls for all the citizens pets.
Posted by momof1 (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Andy Griffith would have done it too.
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They were simply performing a training excercise, stayin in practice with the hoses and teaching the new hires how to use the equipment properly. That and the older firemen needed to be recertified. LOL That should have been your story.
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it was the right thing to do...it is one of the nice things about living in a small town! Good job NFD!
Posted by fatherof4 (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 9:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Open the pond for public fishing, and we will be satisfied.
Posted by justthefactsman (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well look at it on the bright side. We have some highly qualified Firemen/Horticulturists/Aquatic Biologists now working for the Natchez Fire Department. You guys can now add those titles to your resumes. You guys need a raise!!! Good Job NFD, You guys are doing an excellent job!! :)
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What if they needed to use the water from that pond to put out your house? Maybe it wouldn,t be such a sore subject then. Where has it all gone wrong, we give hundreds of millions to deadheads and immigrants that don,t want to pay taxes. It,s insanity to me. We can pay for FREE PELL GRANTS,but not a cent to help someone who pays taxes. Read this letter from a Florida teacher..................................................
LETTER by a Florida teacher.....a teacher SPEAKS....
This is a subject close to my heart. Do you know that we have adult students at the school where I teach who are not US citizens and who get the PELL grant, which is a federal grant (NO PAY BACK REQUIRED) plus other federal grants to go to school?
One student from the Dominican Republic told me that she didn't want me to find a job for her after she finished my program, because she was getting housing from our housing department and she was getting a PELL grant which paid for her total tuition and books, plus money leftover.
She was looking into WAIT which gives students a CREDIT CARD for gas to come to school, and into CARIBE which is a special program (check it out - I did) for immigrants and it pays for child care and all sorts of needs while they go to school or training. The one student I just mentioned told me she was not going to be a US Citizen because she plans to return to the Dominican Republic someday and that she 'loves HER country.'
I asked her if she felt guilty taking what the US is giving her and then not even bothering to become a citizen and she told me that it doesn't bother her, because that is what the money is there for!
I asked the CARIBE administration about their program and if you ARE a US Citizen, you DON,T QUALIFY for their program. And all the while, I am working a full day, my son-in-law works more than 60 hours a week, and everyone in my family works and pays for our education.
Something is wrong here. I am sorry but after hearing they want to sing the National Anthem in Spanish - enough is enough. Nowhere did they sing it in Italian, Polish, Irish (Celtic), German or any other language because of immigration. It was written by Francis Scott Key and should be sung word for word the way it was written. The news broadcasts even gave the translation -- not even close. Sorry if this offends anyone but this is MY COUNTRY.
Posted by ksuplady15 (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 11:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OMG! try to do something good for someone and the gripes have to start. I am proud the NFD helped save the fish and help the man, and if it's such a big deal then charge him $1.00; (I'll even pay for it myself, I can send my address to Mr. Holloway), that should satisfy the Mississippi Attorney General and Mr. Holloway. I would think they would have more pertinent issues to deal with than this.
bulldozer, you remind me of a old gripe that is never happy and is mad because someone does something to help out a fellow person. Maybe you should lend a hand to help out a person instead of finding fault with others that help someone.
Again, thank you NFD for going above and beyond your duties to help someone out. It is appreciated by a lot of us.
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