Around Southeast Missouri 1/17/07

Cardwell city drinking water not contaminated

Cardwell city officials say they want confusion cleared regarding reports of contaminated soil samples. Ground water samples have proven to contain some sort of contamination around an area within the city limits. The Department of Natural Resources has been testing soil and ground water at the Brewer Brothers site during the past few days. Water superintendent Charlie Smith said he wants local residents and others to be aware that no report has indicated contamination in the city's drinking water. Smith said the reports indicated some contamination in the soil north of the old Martin station.

-- Daily Dunklin Democrat, Kennett

Consolidation of fire districts considered

Consolidating fire districts in Scott County could have benefits but faces challenges. Board members for the Oran and New Hamburg fire protection districts, area firefighters and officers and concerned citizens gathered at the Scott County Rural Fire Protection's January board meeting to discuss the possibility of consolidating districts. There are five fire protection districts in the county: Scott Rural, New Hamburg-Benton-Commerce, Oran, Scott-New Madrid-Mississippi County and Sikeston Rural. Potential advantages include improved economy of scale for purchasing, standardization of equipment for inter-department operability, and improvements in efficiency and safety. One of the most important goals of each of the boards is reducing ISO ratings for rural areas. One of the biggest obstacles is the differing tax rates among the entities. Oran's residents pay 40 cents per $100 assessed valuation while Scott County Rural's residents pay 30 cents. Missouri statutes would require a single rate for a consolidated district.

-- Standard Democrat, Sikeston