BAXTER — Dedication of new Baxter Fire Department building has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday Aug. 23.
Construction of the building was completed in June.
Jim Sago, former Marion County commissioner, will serve as master of ceremonies for the program.
Destry Jones, fire chief at Baxter, said that guest speakers will be former Fairmont State basketball coach Joe Retton and Ted Echols, who played for Retton at the college. Both Grant Town natives were Fairview High School graduates.
An open house and reception will follow the program, and there will be entertainment.
Part of program will include a “wall of fame” where several individuals who have played important leadership roles in the betterment of the community will be enshrined
The building is 140 by 60 feet and has a second floor. The building totals 10,200 square feet.
Sago said that Gov. Joe Manchin is expected to attend the program along with officials from Consol Energy. Consol donated the land where the fire department was built.
The Baxter Improvement Association has consolidated with the fire department.
“Basically, we are one group now,” he said.
“The Improvement Association will have a good facility to put on their fundraising dinners,” Jones said. “It has been certified to accommodate 400 people.”
Jones has been the Grant Town chief for 10 years. He says there are 26 volunteer firemen associated with the VFD.
He said that bingo will return to Baxter on Sept. 2 at 5 p.m.
For several years the Baxter VFD owned the old Bauer Lumber building off East Park Avenue in Fairmont. After selling that facility in 2005, bingo has been held on Locust Avenue Extension, next to Westchester Village.
Sago has retired as the governor’s equal employment opportunity director.
An invitation as been extended for all former ball players who played at the Baxter ball diamond to attend.
E-mail John Veasey at jcveasey@timeswv.com.
In Today's TWV
August 14, 2008
Dedication of Baxter Fire Department building Aug. 23
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