LETTERS: NO DISCUSSION WITH EAST COUNTY ON NORDENIA PLAN

To the editor:

Your May 7 article suggested that the Fruitland fire district would operate the new Nordenia fire station and suggested that the company is "still negotiating" with the East County fire district. Both of these statements were false.

I have the privilege of serving as the East County attorney, and I can assure you that neither Nordenia nor the county nor the Fruitland fire district has been in contact with us. We are both ready and willing to negotiate, but it is impossible to negotiate with people who refuse to talk.

More importantly, my understanding is that the proposed fire station is going to be located within the boundaries established by the voters for the East County fire district. The Fruitland fire district cannot legally operate a fire station within the territory of a different district, just like the Jefferson City School District couldn't operate in Cape Girardeau. Neither fire district nor the county nor a private company like Nordenia has the power to alter what the voters have ordained.

Unfortunately, when people refuse to obey the law and refuse to talk about their disobedience, the only recourse available to those who don't like the misuse of taxpayer funds is litigation. Litigation is expensive for all involved. It would be much wiser if reason were to prevail and there actually were some negotiation.

PATRICK CRONAN

Cronan & Robinson Law Office

Rocheport, Mo.