ASHLAND — Serendipity in Ashland. I went to cover the Ashland Town Meeting. Though it was listed to begin at 7:30, it was already in session when we arrived at 7:15. Two participants jumped up to get my wife and me chairs. I started my DAT recorders. I use two, because things can always go wrong. However, the two recorders could not cover the error that was already in motion. Folks sitting in the room facing what I took to be the town board were voting on the proposals. I whispered to my better three quarters, "I don't think this is the town meeting." Between items, I raised my hand and introduced myself as being a reporter from the Mountain Eagle. "I was sent to cover the town meeting. I take it, this is not the town meeting." Folks in the room began to offer when and where in the building was the location and day of the town meeting. We were off by a week and a half-hour. The chair said, "This is the fire department, but you're welcome to stay." I reflected on the evening as I drove to the firehouse the next morning to retrieve my DAT recorder, left behind on my seat. Evenings that start badly sometimes end well.
We stayed and several items caught my attention as being newsworthy. First, Robert Ferris had missed the yearly convention of the Green County Volunteer Fireman's Association. So he was being presented with the certificate he would have received for over fifty years of membership, at the meeting of the Ashland Fire Department. Second, the Women's Auxiliary's banner had arrived and third, the entire fire department now had dress uniforms and they were discussing building a closet and naming a quartermaster. All three issues spoke of something everyone in the world should honor, the pride of, and our pride in our firefighters.
I had the honor of a few minutes with Firefighter Ferris. He had been protecting his neighbors facing fires, floods, car crashes, wind and snow for 57 years. He spoke of fires as the hotel industry began to wain and the old hotels began to catch fire. Could they have been being burned for insurance in the face of failing revenue? If so, what is the value of injury or the life of these brave neighbors who think only of the safety of the community when that fast moving foe, fire, endangers our homes and our villages. Robert remembered the Prattsville Flood in the wake of Hurricane Irene. Instead of fire, the danger was raging waters that destroyed the approaches to bridges as they capsized houses and swept them away. The Ashland Firehouse was being built, it was only a shell, the old firehouse having burned the year before. But still, twenty five people were put up on cots in the unfinished building.
For those who are new to these mountains, it is good to learn what these volunteers faced on that day. David Rikard, Esq. watched as sheriff's deputies fought the raging waters on Main Street where the Schoharie Creek crested at 25 feet. Their boat capsized and the rescuers nearly drowned. Every business in town was buried under water and mud, and the townspeople took to roofs. The National Guard, the Sheriff's Department, Firefighters, emergency workers of all kinds worked together and with such remarkable skill that there was not a single loss of life.
This dedication should be remembered by everyone and every child raised to know the stories so that when the local fire departments pass in parades, passing in pride with their banners and dress uniforms, each one of us should stand in thanks and respect.
