Mill Spring Fire Department representatives accepted a plaque from Polk County commissioners Monday in honor of Bill Cunningham, Mill Spring Fire Department Fire Chief Emeritus, who passed away Monday. Pictured are Mill Spring Fire Department board of directors president Chris Carney, Mill Spring Fire Chief Trent Carswell, county commissioner Cindy Walker and Mill Spring Fire chaplain and Silver Creek Baptist Church pastor, Rev. Chris Osbourne. (photo by Leah Justice)Editor&squo;s note: Following is a resolution presented to Mill Spring Volunteer Fire Department representatives on Monday night by the Polk County Board of Commissioners in honor of Mill Spring Fire Chief Emeritus Bill Cunningham, who died Monday. Commissioners awarded Cunningham a Polk County Lifetime Achievement award.

WHEREAS, Mr. Bill Cunningham became a firefighter in 1950 in West Babylon, New York; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cunningham has been a faithful member and leader of the Mill Spring Volunteer Fire Department since 1984; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cunningham was named Fire Chief Emeritus in 2008 by the Mill Spring Volunteer Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, in honor of his tirelss efforts in training young firefighters, as well as his help with the department in its continued pursuit of excellence, the Mill Spring Volunteer Fire Department has nominated Mr. Cunningham to the National Council for a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Now Therefore Be It Resolved that the Polk County Board of Commissioners recognizes Chief Bill Cunningham&squo;s dedication and service to Polk County by conferring upon him, &dquo;Polk County Government&squo;s Lifetime Achievement Award.&dquo;