Thompson’s Station former Alderman Brinton Davis hopes to douse fire truck controversy

Aug. 23--On Nov. 1, 2016, the Thompson's Station Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted to approve the purchase of a fire truck "not to exceed $18,000." The vote was 6 -1 with board member Sheila Shipman casting an opposing vote.

During the Nov. 8, 2016 Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, Alderman Brinton Davis made a motion to approve the purchase of the fire truck. The motion was seconded and approved 3- 1 with Alderman Graham Shepard providing the lone vote, citing concerns about unforeseen additional costs which might be associated with the purchase of a vintage vehicle.

The town subsequently paid $16,000 for a running 1942 Chevrolet fire truck which was located and obtained via craigslist.

"I was on the Parks Board at the time and I talked to the board. We had -- I can't remember -- I want to say $60,000 in our coffers for the Parks Board and I talked them into spending the $16,000. Well, we talked about it and a couple weeks went by and the mayor [Corey Napier] sent me this link. I think he looked at a couple things on craigslist and this one was in Lascassas. I asked some questions. I asked, 'is this worth it?' We did some research. It seemed in line with any other fire truck in that general age range. He drove down and looked at it and it was in perfect working order," Davis said.

Perhaps few anticipated that the fire truck purchase would ignite its own local conflagration. Controversy was quick to ensue when Shepard alleged the purchase to be in violation of local and state laws.

Shepard's blog at tsreview.org reads that the fire truck was purchased, "without business justification ... without explaining why this specific old truck should be purchased and not some other ... and according to Town Attorney Todd Moore, a purchase made in violation of Town and State purchasing laws."

Requests for comment from Moore were not returned.

Davis, who did not seek reelection, picked up the gauntlet seeking to put this one fire out.

"I don't think there's any basis for it. I don't know of anything illegal that he has said that we have done. And I don't know how it would have been illegal. I mean, we took a vote just like any other. It's in the budget. This was money that was allotted to the Parks Board. For any reason at all. We did some parks improvements with some of the money, we bought some signage with some of it," Davis said.

"If anyone wants to hang this on anybody, they can hang it on me," Davis said. "But I don't want to say it was just my idea. It was a culmination of Mayor Napier and I were talking one time and I think brought up the fact of a cool vehicle [for the town]. I thought it'd be nice. I mentioned that it'd be cool for the town to get something like that and park it. Bring it out for parades starting in town, for Christmas ceremonies, all kinds of things."

According to the business plan assembled by Alderman Brian Stover, the appeal of such a vehicle "is attributable to the quaint charm of Thompson's Station 'step back in time' philosophy. Just as the trains are an appeal for families and children to tour and play, the firetruck has such an appeal, yet can be mobilized."

"In my opinion along with several other residents, this fire truck can be used as goodwill for the town. It can be used at various events and also our local firefighters can use it at events for fire education for our town's youth. We've had numerous people offer their services to help restore the firetruck so it can be used during local events," Stover wrote to The Advertiser News in an email.

Stover's plan cites some of the relatively small expenses which would be associated with running and maintaining the vintage vehicle. Insurance "appears to be low -- approximately $200 /year."

Tags and registration is permanent which a cost of $27.75 plus applicable county fees.

The business plan's ideas include participating in Christmas, Memorial and Veterans Day parades, annual firefighter fundraiser events, fire safety instruction for schoolchildren and an Antique Fire Truck and Toy Train Event which the plan advances as having a "high enthusiast market."

Stovers' plan also mentions the "volunteers who have expressed interest in helping with the restoration," with fundraisers being an additional source of revenue for restoration and maintenance.

"I do know of two individuals who have come out and said that they are willing to donate their time and resources to restore the fire truck. The whole thing is a win-win. That's what we get: this firetruck and the community wants to come together and be a part of it. We can do that and the people in the town are willing to help do that. That's the definition of a community and that's a community that I'm proud to live in. Seriously." Davis said.

Criticisms leveled at the plan include the absence of any dollar amount which the fire truck would generate.

Davis countered that while it can help indirectly generate revenue by drawing people to Thompson's Station who will then patronize businesses, providing a specific figure is impossible.

"You can't. That was never my intention. It doesn't need to generate revenue. It just needs to make people happy," Davis said. "But at the same time, how do you put a price on a child's smile? I mean, what's more important? Five dollars or making this person's day because they got to see a 1942 fire truck? That's the way I look at it. I look at a community being happy and having things to do here. I just think it's a nice thing to give back to the town. Who doesn't love the cool fire truck? Your kids, everyone's kids love that. And some of us kids are in our 40s or 50s now."

Davis is adamant that no malfeasance has occurred nor "smoke-filled room" deals were or are being struck as per one celebrity's previous accusation at a town meeting.

"None of that is going on. At least, none of it went on with me. I never saw any of that. I would like to think that I'm observant enough to be able to catch on if any of that was going on with any of the other board members. I don't think it was going on at all. I did an honest job. I think people know that. I can't speak for 100 percent for anyone else, but I'm 99.9 percent sure it didn't go on with with anyone," Davis said.

To that accusation, Davis also issued an invitation.

"If you want to know what's going on in the town, call the mayor. Call Brandon Bell. Call Brian Stover. Call me. Call the Town Administrator [Joe Cosentini]. Everyone will tell you exactly what is going on," Davis said.

Does he miss politics?

"I'd like to say no, but it really doesn't sound like it, does it? I miss being there for my neighbors to make sure that there's no conflict of interest with me. And I'm not saying that there is with anyone else," Davis said.

Davis reiterated the positive reactions he's experienced since the purchase.

"I've not personally heard one negative thing that has been said to me about this fire truck, other than this crap two guys are starting. I'm sorry if you feel that it's misspent money. I think in the long run, they'll realize that it's not. I think it's something that the town will all cherish. I'm looking forward to the day when we get it all done and bring it out," Davis said.

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