There was an exchange of looks between the two men. "Be easier just talking to the members, but then the proper way to handle this'd be to request a meetin', 'course now we'd be dependin' on when the Mayor had the time, an' he could rustle up the others. Now the way I look at it, we're talkin' a pumper and an ambulance, both a benefit to the town an' a place ta keep 'em already taken care of." Barnabas rattled off.
"Housing the apparatus would be a big plus. But the big drawback would be the price for each of them." Speed cautioned.
"So, how much do you think the pumper'd be? An' a ambulance, 'er a wogon that'd work?" Pike asked. "The trouble is gettin' folks ta see past the cost an'ookin' at the benefit."
"Well, you can't force people to see good sense," Emeline chuckled, "but I guess it's all just conversation until we get an opinion from the council. And I suppose we could send telegraphs to some of the towns that have proper fire departments and ask about costs, so we have the information to present."
There was a lot of work to be done, but they had a good team here, and others they could draw on, so she was sure things would move quickly.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
That was the truth. It would take an opinion from the Town Council on what could be done with the fire department. True, the pumper and team had yet to be purchased and may well be out of the reach of Kalispell. If the idea that money is a problem, that was not close to the truth. With the mine producing and the Pike's income from Nevada not slowing down, they could do just about anything they wanted, and they wanted the town to get involved with fire protection, as well as the ambulance idea.
"I'll stop in and see our Mayor and see what I can get going in that direction. We have a great start here." Speed said.
"Yeah, be great if the town would get behind what we're trying to do," Barnabas stated. Hopeful the Town Council would take a hand in this civic improvement.
"Well, then, we have the building, that's a start!" Emeline declared. "And a little research should give us enough to go to the council and get this done!"
If push came to shove, they could try something on their own, although Emeline wasn't exactly sure how to do that. Certainly, the old-school subscription service could be a consideration, but she doubted any of them would just sit by and watch someone's house or business burn because they weren't part of that.
"At any rate, we can start doing some of the renovations here, and I can get started on those lace curtains!"
"The building's a start, an' we can come by the pumper, buy the horses, and move it all in. Don't need the Town Council for any of that. What we need the Town Council for is the blessin', foller'ed by the payroll. Why, we can jest walk on over an' talk to the Mayor about a meetin' on this subject." Barnabas said. "I mean, what are they gonna say? Ain't interested?"
"Yeah, that could happen, but I doubt that it would. It's getting Mayor Wentworth moving on it. He's got plenty keeping him busy." Speed said, "But you're right, we can present what we've got already, and go from there. We can do all the research necessary. Start sprucing the place up, we'll find a pumper."
"All right, then." Emeline nodded, adjusting her hold on Wheeler. "Once we talk to Mr. Wentworth, we'll have an idea of where we stand, what we need to do to make a good case to the town council."
This was actually exciting, something that would benefit the whole community, and she was sure they could get it going, but the chances would be that much better if they could make a good argument and presentation.
Both men looked at one another and then back to Em. "Exactly what we oughtta do!" Barnabas said. "Give us an idea how he sees things like this. He'll be lookin' at a Poelice Department soon enough."
"I figure that Matt wants what is best for Kalispell, and I can't see him being against this. They have these in every city in the East. Be a sign that Kalispell is growing up ahead of a lot of towns out this way." Speed was quick to point out."Bigger towns have Fire Departments in the Territory, so why not us? Best we head on over and pay a visit to the mayor and get this show on the road!"
