Kaulbach chips in $100,000 for new fire hall

It was not unusual to see Don Kaulbach at Bridgetown town hall on the morning of October 25. After all, the former long-time town councillor is something of a fixture in the building, stopping in twice a day for a cup of coffee, to read the daily paper, and to say hi to town staff.

What was different that particular morning was that he walked into the office of town CAO John Langmead, said he would like to make a donation towards Bridgetown’s new fire hall and handed John an envelope. The envelope contained $100,000.

“Don told me that Bridgetown had given him so much over the years that he wanted to give something back� said Langmead. “It is this type of generosity and community spirit that will enable this project to move forward.�

News of the donation was reported to the fire hall construction committee at their meeting on October 30. The donation brings the community fundraising total to $360,000, just $60,000 short of the one-third community share of the project.

Confident they will reach their fundraising goal in the near future, the committee sent letters to the various levels of government asking for funding commitments for the remaining two-thirds in order to begin construction next spring.

"I was happy, appreciative, and grateful when I heard the former town councillor Don Kaulback had donated $100,000 to the Bridgetown Volunteer Fire Department new hall construction fund,� said Mayor Ron Gullon. “Thanks Donnie for pushing the project forward with your very generous donation."

Kaulbach was born in Bridgetown in 1929. As a youth he excelled in many sports, including track and field, curling and hockey, as well as being a major in the Bridgetown Army Cadets. After completing high school, he began his business career by operating a taxi service which he expanded to a very successful operation.

He left Bridgetown for six years in the 1950s to work with Canada Packers in Brantford, Ontario and upon his return he worked for 20 years with United Elastic, the forerunner of Britex. The company paid for him to attend university where he received a Degree in Business Management. As a senior manager he often traveled to Belgium and the United States to troubleshoot at their plants in Brussels and Woolwind, Virginia.

Don was also very active in the Anglican Church where, in his youth, he was a cross bearer and choir member. He served the Town of Bridgetown for 32 years as a town councillor, working actively to improve and promote the community.

In his retirement he continues to manage his investment properties and keep close ties to the Bridgetown community.