Last month the Town of Bethel, in collaboration with our planning partners including Sullivan County Planning, Sullivan Renaissance and Cornell Cooperative extension held two public forums. They were meant to solicit input from all of our residents, businesses, visitors, and first responders in regards to forming a longer-term plan due to the great growth in the Hamlet of Kauneonga Lake over the last 10-15 years. The forums were attended by over 50 people, and were led by our professional engineers and designers Delta Engineering. There were great suggestions to consider, and at this point data has been collected and will be studied for future possible improvements. No decisions have been made.

Normally, all comments and suggestions are welcome and well received. In this case there has been one particular idea from a local business owner that has called for the removal of the Kauneonga Lake firehouse from its present location, as well as to consolidate all local fire companies, to provide for more parking and maybe a new green space or park area in that location. This idea has caused great concern, angst and animus in our town especially, with our local fireman.

All year long, Kauneonga Lake firemen contribute so much to our community and our residents. They have been serving Bethel for almost 100 years. We love the chicken dinners and pancake breakfasts, as well as their help with the Allison Whitney run, suicide-prevention walk, Bethel Farmers' Market and the like. They open their doors for our kids for the Santa Express and Christmas-tree lighting, and open in emergencies for either a warming or cooling center as needed. We have always appreciated the numerous times they have filled the Bethel pool, sometimes many times in one season. Their dive team has given us great assistance in searching for leaks and holes in our aging pool before we put in a new liner.

As members of the Bethel Town Board for many years, we must categorically reject any notion of removing the Kauneonga Lake firehouse for parking. That idea is outrageous. If and when any fire company wants to consolidate, that would be up to the fire company, the commissioners and the taxpaying residents in those districts.

Every single day, our volunteer firefighters dedicate their spare time to protecting the communities in which they live. The five departments that serve the Town of Bethel are Kauneonga Lake, White Lake, Smallwood/Mongaup Valley, Kenoza Lake and Swan Lake. Every one of them is an integral part of this community. They are selfless servants, who often put their own lives in harm’s way to protect the lives and property of people they may have never met. They face great risk of injury to themselves for others. They do not get paid and are the backbone of our community.

Our firemen are professional, and it is our honor to witness them in action and work with them in emergencies. You have our utmost respect and appreciation for protecting us. You need to know that we have your back, and would not allow a great firehouse or its members to be moved for any reason, unless it’s your choice and your decision.

[Daniel Sturm is the supervisor of the Town of Bethel, Vicky Simpson is the deputy town supervisor,

and Dawn Ryder, Lillian Hendrickson and Bernie Cohen are members of the Bethel Town Council.]