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 It
is with great humility that I accept the office of President.
Following in Jody Gonzalez's footsteps makes me even
more humble. It was a real pleasure serving alongside
Jody as he truly made a difference in this State. I
will strive to continue the excellence that is the TFMA.
Having a great set of Officers and a wonderful Board
of Directors that will push each of us toward that excellence
will make my job easier. We have already had a couple
of meetings and just so you will know, you are truly
blessed to have these men and women representing you
and our beloved occupation.
We are busy now planning
this year's Conference and we will strive to conduct
as professional and informative Conference as we possibly
can. With that in mind, I want to thank Jody Henry and
his Training/Education Committee as well as Ross Coleman
and Carolyn Perez from the State Fire Marshal's Office
who have been working hard rounding up the very best
available instructors and sponsors for that Conference.
Remember to set aside October 21st thru 26th, 2007!
We continue to believe that there is not another conference
that gives you a bigger "bang for the buck"
then the TFMA Conference and this years will be better
than ever.
While I am thanking
everyone, I want to thank our Secretary/Treasurer Dan
Mayes. Dan sits outside those conference meetings from
daylight till dark every year doing yeoman's work, keeping
all of us straight. In addition, he makes other meetings
across the state and never fails to be where we need
him. Dan, thank you for your hard work and your friendship!
Additionally, I want
each of you to know that this Association is one of
the leaders in pushing for the "Fire Safe Cigarette"
legislation in our great state. The number of the bill
is H.B 2935 and the sponsor of the bill is Rep. Phil
King. We are hoping that Sen. Craig Estes will be our
sponsor on the Senate side. What we need each of you
to do is to write or call your Representative and Senator
and let them know how important this legislation is
and how many lives it might save as well as the millions
of dollars in fire losses it might stop. I cannot think
of one reason that this legislation should not go through,
particularly if each of us makes contact with those
individuals. Even Phillip Morris is behind this legislation
and now 7 states have officially adopted legislation
regarding Safe Cigarette sales.
There is other legislation
that will be important to some or in cases all of our
departments so stay in touch with that legislation.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact
Mike Montgomery ( mike.montgomery@fmo.hctx.net or phone
281-436-8000 ) as he and his committee are busy keeping
up with that pending legislation.
Thank each of you again
for this opportunity to serve you and don't hesitate
contacting me if you need anything. My email address
is here on the website as well as my phone number.
God bless each of you
and your jurisdiction.
Kurt W. Harris
Fire Marshal
City of Weatherford
122 S. Alamo St.
Weatherford, Texas 76086
817-598-4280
kharris@ci.weatherford.tx.us
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