The Jasper Board of Public Works & Safety heard from Fire Chief Kenny Hochgesang, as he announced the resignation of Eric Rasche from the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department.
Rasche has been in the Fire department for 11 years.
The board gave Fire Chief Hochgesang the go ahead to begin the process of looking for new candidates as new firefighters. With Rasche’s resignation, the staff is at 35, Fire Chief Hochgesang says by law, the department can have up to 40 firefighters.
Also Street Commissioner, Jeff Theising, gave the board an update on the success of the liquid road projects currently underway in and around the city this week. The council approved his request of the street closure request of 31st street at Bittersweet Drive for storm sewer replacement.
This closure took place earlier today till 4 pm barring any inclement weather or any other unforeseen events.
POLICE CHIEF-MIKE BENNETT
Police Chief Mike Bennett asked and received the board’s permission to upgrade 800 radios to P25 which is covered as part of the department’s annual budget.
The P25 is a suite of standards for digital radio communications used by federal, state, and local public safety organizations in North America that enables them to communicate with other agencies and mutual aid response teams in the event of emergencies.
Finally Police Chief Bennett asked for motorist and people walking around the square in downtown and throughout the city of Jasper to use caution in light of the new Pokémon GO game people are playing on their smartphones.
The game leads people to various landmarks to get supplies, capture animals and battle other players. Some of those landmarks are in Dubois County, including sites in the downtown area.
Mayor Terry Seitz also stated that while he is thankful for the foot traffic throughout the community in Jasper it’s important to also keep in mind and be respectful of establishments and buildings that people visit.
