During the afternoon of October 24, firefighters, emergency medical teams and police just did their jobs when the west wall of Da-Lite Screen collapsed as a tornado rampaged through the northern part of the city.

The public servants secured the area and tended to the wounded - all part of an exceptional day's work.

Da-Lite Screen officials, however, felt the men and women who came to their aid went above and beyond the call of duty.

On Friday, Da-Lite Screen representated by Jerry Young and Keith McSherry, gave back to the city by presenting a $25,000 check for the Kosciusko County Firemen Association's countywide campaign to place a smoke detector in every home.

The presentation was made during the city's board of works meeting. Fire Chief Matt Warren and assistant chief Mike Wilson were on hand to accept the gift.

Young said the outpouring of community support was overwhelming following the disaster and the company felt this was the way to give back.

"This is really heart-warming," said Mayor Ernie Wiggins of the donation. "The firemen, really all the emergency workers, were just doing their jobs."

After the meeting, Warren said he was shocked by and grateful for the dollar amount of the check which will add tremendously to the firefighters' smoke detector campaign.

Also, Wayne Wilkie took an oath of office to join the Warsaw Police Department.

In other business the board:

• Presented a Salvation Army "bell ringing" sign-up sheet for the holiday season, asking department heads and other employees to participate.

• Accepted a $94.10 check for unclaimed property from the state. Clerk Elaine Call found the property on an Internet site.

• Approved Dunn and Associates, Columbus, as third party administrators of an employee trust benefits checking account.

• Approved a $561.33 payment, or 33 percent, of a Spectra Print invoice for a City of Warsaw advertisement in the Kosciusko Vacation Planner. The balance is due in January.

• Approved a disaster recovery agreement with Komputrol in the amount of $450 which transfers city computer data to CD-ROM, provides off-site storage and would allow the city to use Komputrol's equipment for up to one month in the event of a data loss disaster.

• Approved an agreement with the county to provide three dispatchers as part of the 911 system. The county shall pay the city $93,600 in January for their services.

• Approved disability payments for Frederick Heady who was injured in the line of police duty and who was determined disabled by the police disability fund.

The city will provide $6,730.61 (the pension fund will pay $17,491.25) for the second six months of 2001 and $7,255.15 (plus $18,015.99 from the pension fund) for the first six months of 2002. Heady's base benefit is $24,746.40 for each six month increment or $582.74 from the city due from January to December 2002.

• Approved an annual lease with Frauhiger Realty in the amount of $6,000 for 600 E. Winona Ave., Suite 8, Warsaw, for the Victim Service Center.

• Approved contracts regarding the city's Dec. 10 Christmas party with Grace College and Seminary for facility rental of Rodeheaver Auditorium ($500) and Penguin Point for catering ($2,809.30 for 310 people).

• Received notice of a $50,000 letter of credit for Jackson Construction regarding the Pheasant Ridge subdivision from Markle Bank.

Board of works members are Ernie Wiggins, Jerry Patterson and Charlie Smith. [[In-content Ad]]