July 23--Salina firefighters won't be allowed to collect money in their boots for the Muscular Dystrophy Association on street corners this year but can next year.
Salina city commissioners said Monday they want the city to look at changing its ordinance to allow firefighters to participate in the nationwide Fill-the-Boot Campaign.
"The money in the boot is an accepted thing," said Commissioner Aaron Householter. "It is an Americana thing."
Darrell Smith, regional director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, said the program has been around since 1954. He presented the commission with a prepared ordinance.
Current city ordinance doesn't allow anyone to collect money on street corners.
Retired Salina firefighter Rick Nicholson said Salina firefighters used to collect money on street corners but it stopped before Fire Chief Larry Mullikin and City Manager Jason Gage started working for the city. He said the last time Salina firefighters collected money for another issue was after the 9-11 terrorist attacks.
"Firefighters would organize off-duty personnel, the fire department would loan us back-up reserve protection and we were allowed to wear uniforms," Nicholson said. "We did a good job raising money for quite a few years then, for some reason, we weren't allowed around. We couldn't wear uniforms, use the trucks or go into the street. Instead, we would go to Target, Walmart and other places that would allow us to raise money there."
Gage said there are many issues to look at, including whether the city would allow other departments to pick a charity and do the same type of activity and whether the firefighters would be paid or not while working. He said city staff could have an ordinance to the commission by the end of the year.
Householter said one of his concerns is that other charities would want to take the same approach, but he didn't think there would be any other problems.
Commissioner Jon Blanchard said he has lived in other cities that participate and doesn't foresee any problems.
-- Reporter Chris Hunter can be reached at 822-1422 or by email at [email protected].
Copyright 2013 - The Salina Journal, Kan.
