Professor, ex-firefighter join fire district board

A former firefighter and an adjunct government professor will be inducted as the East County Fire Protection District's two new members April 20, after a vote Tuesday in Cape Girardeau County.

The fire protection board, which is responsible for crafting the district's budget, is expanding its panel from three to five members to better serve the communities the district protects.

With 130 votes, Bruce Hanebrink, a professor with years of budget management experience at Southeast Missouri State University, claimed the five-year term and John Simmons, formerly an East County fire captain, won the three-year term with 124 votes.

Simmons said he's pleased to be able to further serve his community, and Hanebrink said he's flattered to have received the most votes.

"I'm looking forward to the next phase and getting involved. I'm looking forward to getting immersed in the process," Hanebrink said.