News and Information From
Violet Township Food for Thought By Fire Chief Mike Little
A career that provides satisfaction and happiFive years ago, Asness while working. sistant Chief Jim Paxton • Ability to have and wrote an article titled Food support a family in the for Thought for the same future. edition of this magazine. • Help others and make The theme for this edition a difference in people’s is food, as it was for that lives. edition five years ago. The • To do something good impetus behind his article for someone every day. was recent, tragic events in How refreshing it was to central Ohio, most notameet and speak to these bly the loss of Columbus students and future leaders. I Police Officer Steven Smith truly feel good about our future in a senseless tragedy. The if some of these students drive behind this article is meet or exceed their goals in threefold: life. They will become produc1. The state of affairs of tive members of society and our country. difference makers for others. 2. The hope for the future related to • Working together to benefit all of Lastly, I now have grandchildren our current teens. mankind. ranging in age from 7 months to 11 3. My grandchildren (currently I have • Help others and do what is right. years old. I am not sure how time has four). • Be honest and truthful. flown by so quickly from raising my chilStarting with No. 1, our country is at • Take responsibility for your actions. dren. I can say, without doubt, granda crossroads. This is not the America • Lastly, in the words of Retired children are much easier. That said, I am I remember as a kid growing up in Phoenix (AZ) Fire Chief Al Brunacini, concerned for their future. I hope their Circleville. Maybe I was too naïve to fully “BE NICE.” parents continue to teach them to be understand all the dynamics of what If the first section got you down, nice. I hope my wife and I are able to was happening when I was a child. Who this section should give you hope. impress upon them the importance of knows? My recollection is of times that, I had the opportunity to interview a respect for others and how a kind word while sometimes difficult, our country number of high school seniors-to-be can make someone’s day. I hope they always seemed to find a way to come in April 2021. These students had ap- grow up to be positive and productive together. Strength overcame weakness, plied for a program through the local members of society. Looking at them right prevailed over wrong and commu- career center to attain their Firefighter now, I can see the innocence we all nities worked together for the better1 & 2 certification during their senior once had as children. They are inquisiment of all. year of high school. tive, smart, fun, happy and carefree. Today, something is missing. Our For those who do not know, getting How nice would it be for us as adults to leadership (elected officials at state and this certification is one of the steps to enjoy those qualities again? national levels) seem to have forgotten becoming a professional firefighter in This is my “food for thought” in 2021. why and how they got there. There is Ohio. I, along with my fellow interviewI will close with two items. First, be less patience amongst individuals. Fight- ers, were impressed by many of these nice! Second, your Violet Township Fire ing, arguing and dissent are the order of young men and women. I wish I was as Department continues to be here for the day instead of talking, compromising squared away at the age of 17 as were you every day. Our goal is to serve and and finding solutions to benefit all. How some of these kids. These kids entered protect you. My job as the fire chief is to did we get here? I am not sure, but I the room with confidence, had résumés, make sure the department meets that have a few suggestions as to how we shook our hands and made eye congoal each day. As always, if you have can make it better: tact. They answered questions and par- any questions, please call us at 614• Showing respect for others and ticipated in discussions with the panel. 837-4123, and remember we are your their opinions. Some of their goals in life included: “Friends for Life.” 8
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