I don’t suppose there were many people left toward the end of the 29 Palm council agenda  Tuesday night wherein the city council members finally — after nearly a freaking year — had the courage to go public with a no vote on funding the TPFD.

Interestingly, aside from Councilwoman Cora Heiser being the voice of reason, Jim Harris had a shinning moment.  Harris gets a round of applause for standing up to Richart Warne’s mean-spirited bluster.

According yesterday’s Z107.7 report, here is what Harris had to say:

“He [City Manager Richard Warnne] recommended the city take the initiative and submit an application to LAFCO requesting the county to take over the fire department. That suggestion was not well-received by council member Jim Harris. “What business do we have going out and submitting an application to LAFCO? That reeks of a hostile takeover. It’s none of our business at this point. None of our business. I don’t care what staff says. The fire department is doing their job efficiently and effectively.”"

[Thanks to Z107.7  Managing Editor Tami Roleff for filing this news story.]

So okay, one the one hand Lit’l Richard wants the city to stay out of the water board’s business, but he sticks his big fat nose in their business with a hostile Machiavellian show of spite by URGING the council  to file a LAFCO petition to take over the fire department.

This is water business which was flatly rejected. Meantime, the water board is doing everything possible to keep the Lear station open.

The council vote essentially puts the city on notice that should residents, business owners, schools, churches or investors  have  property damages, injuries or fatalities because of a inadequate fire department –”It’s not our business, that’s your problem.”

Will Twentynine Palms become a fire trap city? The city has paved the way last night for this disaster.

Can the TPWD Directors can pull off the impossible and obtain funding even though by law they cannot directly fund the TPFD?

Maybe the money will fall from sky like a gift from the Gods.

Meanwhile the five city councilmen are sitting of $12 million in reserve funds in the current city budget, and another $9.8 million in the CAFR account that does not show on the city budget. Note also that the CAFR millions are earmarked for (immediate) public use (such as public and fire safety).