Discord in Darrouzett over volunteer fire departments expenditures: Part II

by David Grasso-Ortega

DARROUZETT, TEXAS -- The citizens of Darrouzett continue to be irked by the allegations of
misappropriation of funds by the volunteer fire department.
It is clear that Darrouzett remains divided over this issue. While a resolution is still out of reach for all parties involved, the
allegations of impropriety are numerous against the chief of the Darrouzett Volunteer Fire Department, and continue to be
the talk of the town.
Today, this peaceful town has not one, but two volunteer fire departments. The fire department headed by Jimmie
Wilmoth was evicted from city property following a lengthy battle with the city. According to documents provided by the
city, he refused to establish a contractual relationship with the city that is typical and customary in the state of Texas.
Questions and attempts to negotiate a contract were stonewalled, said Sandy Woods, Mayor of Darrouzett. Later,
apparent misappropriation of public funds by department officers were soon discovered.
There is also a great deal of contention over agreement that the Volunteer Fire Department signed with a Houston-area
company to bill for their services. Pronews 7 obtained a bill for over seven thousand dollars through the concerns citizens
website www.clctaxpayers.com that they say is fraudulent, because they billed for trucks that were not at the scene and
for foam that had been provided by another fire department. The website touches on numerous other issues that mostly
pertain to improper management of money. Many citizens in the city and throughout the county continue to be angry.
If I was spending your money, wouldnt you want to know where it was going, said Randy Bischsel, a concerned citizen
and a resident of Darouzett. Wouldnt you want a receipt to prove that I spent it where I said I spent it?
Jimmie Wilmoths lawyer, Kyle Miller, in a statement to the press, said that his client should not have to prove his
innocence, and that his client and the volunteer fire department staff did not have a fair chance at signing a contract with a
city. He claimed, Negotiations at gunpoint are seldom fair. Mr. Miller also said that the city new fire team might be
completely incapable of responding to a fire due to their antiquated equipment.
Responding to this allegation, this city provided a video that shows the pumper working today, that speaks for itself.
The mayor said that the new Volunteer Fire Department would never charge for services. The town is awaiting the results
of District Attorneys investigation of these allegations, although this is not the first time the District Attorney has received
documentation in this case.