Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Two Cortes Island expenditures were approved without any opposition at the May 25 Strathcona Regional District Board meeting. A staff report described the footbridge in Kw’as Park as ‘nearing the end of its useful life’ and ‘a safety hazard.’ It has been 27 years since volunteers built the 22 foot arched cedar 'bridge' over the creek connecting Hague and Gunflint lakes.The $67,000 needed to replace it will come from the provincial gas tax.As regards the second item, Regional Director Noba Anderson explained, “The fire department here on Cortes found a really great deal and acted very quickly to purchase a fire truck. We just didn’t have enough set aside. This is an entirely in Cortes Island funds, wanting to add an extra $15,000 for the repayment of that capital purchase they made.” A letter from Chris Walker, President of the Cortes Island Fire Department was attached to the associated staff report. “As you may be aware the Cortes Island Fire Fighting Association (CIFFA) has an acute need for a replacement water tanker/pumper for our Hall 1 in Manson's Landing.We have successfully procured an excellent replacement vehicle (pictured below). Our invoice is attached. We purchased the truck in Ohio for $53,000 and spent an additional 29,000 to deliver, import and certify, for a total of $78,242.48.(12% PST will also need to be paid when the SRD insures the vehicle).The truck is in excellent condition, has all the features we wanted and has only 30,000 km on the clock. Our research indicates that this is an excellent value for the money. There is nothing comparable under $120,000 and that is before delivery, importation and certification.In our financial plan $72,500 was authorized to be spent on this capital item. We would like to request that an additional $5742 (purchase price shortfall) plus $9,389 (12% PST on $78,242.48) for a total of $15,131 be made available for this truck purchase at your earliest convenience.”There weren’t any firemen on duty when Cortes Currents dropped by the Mansons Landing Fire Hall on Thursday afternoon. However the fire truck pictured in the SRD press release was in the field out back, beside the Cortes Museum. One of the paramedics inside the station mentioned that Cortes Island’s new Fire Chief, Dave Ives, has also arrived.