||| FROM JOHN ERLY |||
Seventy-five percent of the Orcas Island voters said “no” to a levy a few months ago.
The Commissioners have placed it on the ballot again. It costs the taxpayers money to have it on the ballot. Per the County Elections office, it’s a little over $27,000.
The little red signs “Vote Yes” that are posted around the island were paid for by the eight union members (paramedics) in the department (maybe 11 if Lopez helped. The mailing we all received this week was also paid for by the union.
I verified these numbers with a member of department management. I did see one of the Fire Commissioners installing the signs around the island.
Let’s wait until the newly elected commissioners are in office to talk about any money for the Fire Department. I am sure they need more money, but let’s wait for new eyes to see how much and where it should be used. Every time we are asked for money for the Fire Department it is for equipment, etc.
Thank you, John, for a sensible response to the ongoing fiscal absurdity at the firehouse. I was especially appalled at the contention in the mailer (and what did THAT cost us?) that an assistant chief position is more important than EMTs. When I see the management of any organization supporting more management positions at the expense of the actual providers, I know I am looking at a top-heavy, out-of-touch organization. With all the tax money that is being thrown at the medical center and the firehouse, are we actually any safer or healthier than we were 30 years ago? I am voting a most emphatic NO on this levy.
John. Very well said. The present levy on the ballot was put before us by 4 appointed and only one elected commissioner. We need the elected leadership in place. They can then build the trust of the community. Once trust is restored, the community is involved, a levy can be proposed that will pass.
The fire department does need more money, but not that much. The levy is open ended with no expiration date. It will give the Department literally millions of dollars with no controls on how it is spent.
We need an ample operations levy to run the department. Then special levies for trucks, buildings etc.
Excellent point, John Erly. It feels a little insulting, doesn’t it? To take the time to study the proposal, vote against it, and then be told we weren’t listening? When in fact, we got it right the first time. Would they have put this forth again if they were paying out of their own pockets? Maybe they should be forced to do so, as this single act of resubmitting this proposal unchanged appears arrogant at best and out of touch enough to throw their leadership ability into question.
A reconstituted board can start Nov 28. New commissioners from previously appointed commissioner spots, may take their seats as soon as the election is certified.
Our new board can work up a reasonable operations levy and maybe( my favorite) an apparatus and equipment bond in short order. Perhaps this new board will listen to us or at least ask our opinion. A bond would secure our tax dollars are not spent on other wish list things as has obviously happened for years.
One thing should be for certain. The levy the voters failed the first time is the same levy on the ballot again. We should fail it this time too; only harder.
John Erly, you always write the most excellent and succinct letters. Thank you.
The worst thing about this that people need to understand is that there is NO need to lay off our two longtime local EMTs if the levy fails; NONE AT ALL. The money doesn’t run out til the END of 2024. We can raise the money to keep them on. It’s that simple. My opinion at this point is that even if we voted for the levy to keep our two local EMTs – which feels like extortion of the tax base and hostage-taking of our trusted EMTs, there might still be some scheme to try to get rid of them. We can’t let that happen.
So my question is – why? It’s more than what that brochure says. Why would we sacrifice our only local LONG TIME first responders? Are there even any staff or volunteers left who live here and who could be on the scene at a fire post-haste? How many? Please think about this.
If you have ever had EMTs and firefighters come to your door, or if you’ve called them to come to a friend or neighbor’s door, or met them at the Station to give treatment and assess if someone may need airlifting or a ride to a mainland hospital, you would know that it’s more than just the ‘medic’ stuff. It’s ‘bedside manner’ – It’s saving lives of people they KNOW and care about. It could be anything: to reassure someone in pain or fear, even make them laugh; to be with someone dying and hold their hand, to rehydrate someone who’s badly dehydrated – and so much more. I’ve had all these experiences with our lovely responders. One time, Chad Kimple came to where I was house sitting to help me find a water main in a frigid northeaster, late at night when a pipe burst. These people are the BEST. It’s about genuine kindness and help of all types. It’s about relationship and caring with this community – the human element of neighbors and friends helping one another. We cannot allow this commission to throw our last two local career EMTs away. This is not to ‘diss’ the mainland responders at all – but locals can get here much faster. And how much do we need to pay each time someone from Bellingham or wherever else has to come here to respond to a call?
Please, people, VOTE to fill all 3 seats with a new quorum. Vote for change and trust. It’s just a shame we don’t have 4 seats and fill them with all 4 of these people. We need them all. They have my respect and thanks for stepping up and taking this to task.
We can make another levy when we fill the seats with different people. We need to fill all three seats. VOTE! Write letters of endorsement and support for these worthy candidates. Vote for Randy Gaylord, Brian Ehrmantraut, and Kate Hanson OR Toni Knudson. These people know us, care about us and the First Responders and Line Staff. They’ll build bridges, not walls.