News
Aug 25, 2010
Lights for Life - community responds to firefighter tragedy
Three local businessmen have stepped up to jump-start a "Lights for Life" drive to raise $425,000 to equip all Rocky Mount and Franklin County intersections with traffic signal changing devices to be used by emergency response vehicles when answering calls.
L.D. Arrington, who serves as the spokesman for the group, said he and two others had a conversation after the July 26 accident that killed Rocky Mount Fire Chief Posey Dillon and firefighter Danny Altice. Both men were veterans of the volunteer group.
As a result of the trio's conversation, Danny Perdue and Joel Shepherd joined Arrington, as each pledged $25,000 to the fundraiser.
Arrington then approached Rocky Mount Town Manager James Ervin with the idea to raise money for the countywide project. The first meeting was held Aug. 17 at the town municipal building.
There are 28 intersections with traffic signals in the town and county. Of that total, 22 are in town and six are in the county, according to Ervin. Of the six traffic lights in the county, the two at Westlake and one in Boones Mill are already equipped with the devices.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has been asked to provide detailed information about the traffic signals.
In addition to approximately $240,000 to install the equipment to the traffic signals, each emergency vehicle in the town and county also must be equipped with a device to activate the signals, Ervin said. That cost is $1,500 for each vehicle.
The Town of Rocky Mount will need 30 of the devices for its vehicles, Ervin said. The number needed to equip county-owned vehicles is still being tabulated.
Emergency vehicles to be equipped would include those operated by the volunteer fire departments and rescue squads, as well as police cars.
During the meeting last week, Arrington, Rocky Mount town officials and members of the Rocky Mount Volunteer Fire Department planned the Lights for Life drive.
Arrington was accompanied by his business family, including daughter, Deborah; son, David; and grandson, Brian.
Also present were representatives of the Rocky Mount VFD, including Chief Charlie Robertson and Assistant Chief Jeff Rakes, along with David Young, Justin Woodrow and Jeff McCarty. It was Young who suggested the name for the fundraiser.
Plans for the drive, which are still in the organizational stage, were announced following a second meeting Tuesday morning at the municipal building.
At the initial meeting, Ervin said the town can and will serve as the fiscal agent to collect donations, which are tax deductible. Town auditors also will be involved in the process, he added.
Rocky Mount Town Council has agreed to match money raised through the drive, Ervin said.
Contributions will be accepted in two forms -- pledges and actual monetary donations.
Monetary donations should be made to Lights for Life and made payable to the Town of Rocky Mount and sent to 345 Donald Avenue, Rocky Mount, Va. 24151. Contributions also can be left at the Rocky Mount Municipal Building. Additional information also can be obtained by calling the town office at 483-0907.
Pledges should be made by contacting Arrington Enterprises at 483-7754.
A registered website is being set up for the fundraiser at www.lightsforlifeva.com.
A weekly report will be updated each Friday in the News-Post as to the amount of money donated and total amount of the pledges.
"This is a community effort. Businesses, industries, churches, civic groups and individuals are being asked to be a part of this major campaign," Arrington said. "Fundraisers by groups are encouraged."
Arrington Enterprises' Dairy Queens and Bojangles restaurants will be conducting in-store fundraisers.
"No donation is too small," Ervin said. "Every single one counts. We'd like for as many people as possible be a part of this important effort to make our town and county a safer place to live."
This story is courtesy of the Franklin News-Post and was written by Morris Stephenson - Staff Writer.
For the latest local news please visit: http://www.thefranklinnewspost.com/.
