Hotels give $50,000 for Rockland firetruck

ROCKLAND – The latest donors to the Fire Department ladder truck fund-raiser know what it means to need fire-fighting equipment.

The Navigator Motor Inn and the Trade Winds Motor Inn, both owned by Liberty Hospitality of Maine, kicked in $25,000 each Thursday toward the purchase of a new 100-foot ladder truck.

In February 1988, an explosive fire at the Trade Winds caused by vandalism to a gas dryer in the guest laundry room damaged 40 rooms in the hotel.

Today, with more than 130 rooms and suites, a restaurant and a health club at the five-story Trade Winds, and 81 rooms and a restaurant at the four-story Navigator, Stephen Liberty, president of Liberty Hospitality of Maine and general manager of the Trade Winds, said that he and his family felt compelled to step up to the plate to encourage other businesses to contribute.

City councilors will hold a public hearing and final vote April 11 on whether to set a June referendum to borrow up to $650,000 toward the purchase of a new ladder truck. The city’s existing truck is out of commission. So far, the fund-raiser has about $120,000 in pledges. The goal is $200,000.