LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
In a heartfelt ceremony during the City Council meeting on Monday, June 23, the City of Paris honored retired Fire Captain Mentor Reynold’s 26 years of service to Edgar County.
Reynolds officially retired from his role with the Paris Fire Department after 21 years on June 7. He also served five years with the Kansas Fire Department.
“We can’t begin to express our gratitude for what you’ve done for this city,” Mayor Craig Smith said.
“It has been great having you with us,” Smith said, highlighting the firefighter’s commitment to community service. “Thank you so much for all you have done, and do, for us.”
Smith presented Reynolds with a small gift that he referred to as “a rolex of watches.”
“We had an option to get you a plaque, which no one puts up,” Smith joked. “But this watch has a symbol for the fire department and some pretty significant meaning.”
Following the presentation, the mayor swore Colby Kindred and Jackson Pfeiffer in as new firefighters. Under the mayor’s direction, the two young men took an oath to protect the City of Paris, support the constitutions of the United States and the state of Illinois.
Kindred and Pfeiffer are recent graduates of the seven-week IFSA Fire Academy in Champaign.
“We are looking forward to having both of you with the city as long as Mentor (Reynolds),” Smith said.
The new firefighters were congratulated by a room full of family members and fellow firefighters who cheered them on as they accepted the new positions. The audience also cheered when it was announced that Mark Brinkerhoff was promoted to Fire Captain, effective June 16.
The final fire-related issue the council tackled was a motion to approve a proposal for a new brush truck for the Fire Department for $294,075.00.
“This (price) includes all of the modifications,” Commissioner Doug Hasler said. “The current truck is well over 20 years old and has some transmission trouble. It has been ridden hard for a number of years and an upgrade is due.”
The city council unanimously approved the commissioner’s request.