July 29, 2008
CITY MANAGER SEARCH UPDATE
After interviewing the five final candidates for the position of City Manager, the City Council has decided to invite one candidate back to Midland for another visit.
As part of this next step in the process, Courtney Sharp and his family will be in Midland August 6th – 8th. This will allow the candidate to meet with the focus groups, staff, and other community leaders. The meetings will be informal and allow an opportunity for others to interact with the candidate.
Meeting times will be decided and communicated in the near future.
After getting feedback from those participating, and from the candidate, the City Council will further discuss if Sharp is the best fit for Midland. There is no job offer at this time and the process is still ongoing. The City Council is committed to taking the necessary time and steps to ensure Midland has the best fit for its next City Manager.
INTOXICATION ASSAULT
Midland Police have arrested a man in connection with a stolen vehicle and a chain of accidents. He faces multiple charges. At approximately 6:33 a.m., officers were working in the 600 block of Andrews Highway when they heard and observed a 2008 Ford F-350 truck strike an SUV. The truck continued westbound on Andrews Highway. Officers caught up with the suspect and he then struck two other vehicles at Godfrey and Andrews Highway before striking a fourth at Alpine and Andrews Highway. The suspect then fled on foot but was caught by police. 45-year-old Robert Schumbert, the driver of the Jeep struck at Alpine and Andrews Highway, was transported to Midland Memorial with non-life threatening injuries.
The suspect, 19-year-old Taylor Picon (3-21-89), was arrested and charged with the following:
Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
Intoxication Assault
Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Evading Arrest
Resisting Arrest
Failure to Stop and Render Aid
Unrelated Warrants
The truck Picon was driving was stolen approximately three hours before the accidents. The investigation continues.
NEW ENGINE DEDICATION
The Midland Fire Department will hold a traditional Fire Engine Housing Ceremony to officially dedicate a new 2008 Pierce Fire Engine aerial platform with a 100 foot ladder. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. on August 1, 2008, at Central Fire, 1500 W. Wall. The traditional fire truck housing ceremony with the involvement of the community dates back to the early 1800's.
According to MFD research, firehouse legend holds that the housing ritual dates back to the early 1800s. Fire Engine companies would invite guests to the stations to see their new fire rigs. They backed their apparatus into the stations by pushing it into the stations instead of hooking up the horse teams. A “Housing Ceremony” was then started from those early days. The community would get involved along with the firefighters, in a gala event denoting a new start. The firefighters would clean and decorate the fire station, wear their best parade dress uniforms, and invite the community to help celebrate the fire company’s new good fortune. The ceremony includes pushing the apparatus back into the station three times, symbolizing the Holy Trinity. Due to the weight of modern day engines, engine power is used to assist the participants. For added luck, a dollar bill is sometimes placed behind one of the wheels before it is moved. In closing the ceremony, the fire apparatus is blessed into service.
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