Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Burton (from left), firefighter Steve Swanson, and Lieutenant Eric Wiegand of the Portage Township Fire Department stand proudly before the township’s new pumper vehicle, which was dedicated at a ceremony Wednesday, December 13. The firemen said the new vehicles will make their department faster, owing to fewer equipment malfunctions and more userfriendly operating systems. Portage Township celebrated the purchase of two new firetrucks Wednesday, December 13, at a dedication ceremony attended by residents, local politicians, and firemen. Speaking were Gene DeRossett, state director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, James R. Yoder, who works in the Upper Peninsula for Rural Development, Don Morath of Great Lakes

Emergency Vehicles, Inc., the company that provided the new trucks, Sheri Davie, regional manager for Senator Debbie Stabenow, who grew up 10 miles away from Curtis on Shady Lane, and Portage Township Supervisor Donald Ferris.

Mr. DeRossett presented a ceremonial check for $281,500 to purchase the vehicles and called the project and others like it, “investments in human life.” For every $1 of public money invested in communities for water projects, emergency vehicles, and police vehicles, he said, the return is tripled, in terms of infrastructure improvements and the quality of life.

The purchase of the trucks is the result of two years collaboration between the township and Rural Development.

Mr. DeRossett complimented Mr. Ferris by saying he was instrumental in completing legal work needed to get the grants and loans for the trucks, Township Clerk Marcia McDonald, who was always accessible to process aspects of the deal, Fire Chief P.J. Costa, for providing specific information regarding the needs of the fire department, and other members of Rural Development and the township.

The ceremony was part of a Rural Development tour of the Upper Peninsula, in which ceremonial checks totaling $2 million were given to communities for fire trucks, water projects, and police vehicles.

Mr. DeRossett told The St. Ignace News that one of the major reasons why Portage Township qualified for the funding is because Portage Township voted to renew one mill for vehicle replacement in the August primary election. Rural Development provided a $221,500 loan and a $60,000 grant for the vehicles.