The townsfolk of Petrolia will soon be able to sleep with a little more ease knowing they will be receiving a storm warning system from their fellow Allen County town of Mildred.
Last month the Register covered a Thrive Allen County community meeting in Petrolia. One of the points of discussion was the need for a town storm warning system.
“You really get to know your neighbors during bad weather because everyone is on their porch seeing what the weather will do,” Petrolian Mike Brights said.
The article prompted Mildred Mayor Dennis Gardner to contact Thrive to offer Petrolia its spare storm system.
“We actually had ours donated from the city of Iola,” Gardner said. “It is our way of paying it forward.”
Mildred actually received two storm warning systems from Iola. They installed theirs in February and gave the spare to Petrolia.
“I know we sleep a little easier knowing we have the storm system,” Gardner said.
The storm system in Mildred is connected to Iola’s system and goes through the same tests every Monday.
To hook up the system Petrolia will have to get the system connected and buy a radio box, which costs roughly $1,700.
Mildred’s city council was hesitant initially to use city funds for the purchase, but now feel it was a good decision, Gardner said.
The council members said they were comfortable giving up the spare system.
“I never see the town getting big enough to need another system,” council member Henry McFadden said. “I hope to see (Mildred) get bigger, but I don’t see it happening.”
THE TRANSITION OF getting the spare system to Petrolia is still in its early stages, but Petrolian Steve Stuart is delighted at the gesture the council members of Mildred are showing.
