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48 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, February 26, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend February 10, 2004 Lions Club members Allen Harris, 80, left, and David Tucker, 42, right, help 68-year-old Ron Mackey make repairs Monday to the burned-out Phoenix home where he lives with Rachel Brannon. A $500 donation and a Lions Club work crew bring a Phoenix home ... Up from the ashes By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune PHOENIX — In the year since Rachel Brannon’s house was destroyed in a fire that also killed seven of her 30 pets, she has lived in a tent in her back yard, refusing to give up on her home of 51 years — and benefiting from the kindness of her community. This weekend several members of the Phoenix Lions Club spent two days repairing the exterior of Brannon’s Rose Street home. Thanks to an anonymous $500 donation, the property that once was nearly condemned has new siding, windows and is about to get a new door. Lions Club member and Phoenix Fire Chief David Tucker says the progress on fixing the home has sometimes seemed slow, but the weekend work made great improvements to the property and the neighborhood. "We’ve given them a whole front of their house for $500," he said. "We got to see a dramatic change in the neighborhood this weekend." The March 6 fire so badly damaged Brannon’s home that city officials initially urged Brannon to relocate and let the fire department finish off burning the structure for a training exercise. Advertisement Brannon refused. She had no plan for fixing the home, and admittedly no money either. She just knew she wanted to stay. As time went by, the burnt-out hull, across from the city’s elementary school, was becoming more and more of a potential liability for the city. Neighborhood complaints mounted. And talk of eviction deadlines made Brannon nervous and the city uncomfortable. Former City Administrator Don Walker called the situation a "lose-lose" problem. But Brannon, 61, refused to give up. And so did Tucker. Tucker kept urging Brannon and partner Ron Mackey to keep getting rid of debris, while he helped organize volunteers. "They were slowly getting the place gutted out," said Tucker of Mackey and Brannon’s efforts. Once the community heard of Brannon’s plight, donations of time and material started coming in. This included Dumpsters and volunteers to fill them with debris, plus free vet care for her injured pets. "I sure am grateful for everyone’s kindness and prayers," says Brannon. Brannon says she and Mackey — who was living in the house at the time of the fire — have worked hard to keep the city happy with their progress. Earlier in the year, Brannon had Mackey put on the property’s title so he could function as a contractor on her home. "He’s been a lot of help," agreed Tucker. "I think it gave him a boost to have us out this weekend and keep the project moving along." Even though it meant living in a small tent in a yard filled with charred rubble through a cold and wet winter, Brannon was adamant she would not budge without her remaining cats and dogs — not even temporarily. "I need to be with my babies," said Brannon. "They need me and I need them." Three of Brannon’s cats twined around her ankles as she talked about another favorite, Blacky, who was badly burned in the fire. Brannon said the cat now "looks like an old man" with white fur on his scarred skin. Brannon says Best Friends Veterinary Clinic cared for the cat for several weeks "and didn’t charge me a penny." "He was in terrible shape," she said. "Now he’s fat and sassy." Brannon said it has been hard living in the tent, but she doesn’t regret her decision to stay. "I’ve had pneumonia. It’s messing up my chest," she said. "And my arthritis is really bad. But it will get better when the warm weather comes." As Brannon happily pointed to her new spring bulb plantings, she spotted something metallic at her feet. Bending down to pry it from the dirt, she unearthed a bronze plaque that read "Kitty Crossing." "I’ll have to put this up again," she said. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] To make a donation If you would like to help repair Rachel Brannon’s home, Phoenix Fire Chief David Tucker suggests making a donation at any Washington Mutual Bank to the Phoenix Lions Club Rose Street Project. The club uses the money to buy building materials. For more information or to volunteer, call Tucker at 535-8400. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times