Sharon wants to help N.Y. and D.C. victims

SHARON, Pa. -- The city is due to get a new 100-foot aerial firetruck Feb. 1, but Fred Hoffman, city council president, said Sharon should offer it at cost to New York City.
At a council meeting Thursday, Hoffman said that New York lost a lot of firefighting equipment when the World Trade Center towers collapsed after a terrorist attack last week and that Sharon can help by allowing New York to buy the truck Sharon ordered 14 months ago.
The truck costs $519,000 and New York should be allowed to buy it at that price, he said, noting the city of Cleveland recently took similar action.
Sharon can order another truck and get it in 18 months, he said.
Council took no immediate action on Hoffman's suggestion, but Fire Chief Arthur Scarmack said the city can get by with its equipment for that length of time.
Relief efforts: In related matters, Mayor Robert T. Price asked council for permission to donate $2,000 to the relief efforts in New York City and Washington, D.C.
Council agreed, suggesting $1,000 go to the American Red Cross and $1,000 to the Salvation Army.
Councilman Lou Rotunno announced that an anonymous donor has offered to pay for aluminum signs carrying the message, "God Bless America" if the city will erect them in the downtown area.
Price said city crews can handle that task.