Received an email last night with the following comment:
"I don't know whether he did justice to the topic " in just a few words" but it was way too long for me to read and comprehend. Someone needs to put out a short synopsis of what the problem is. Sorry to be so dense but long winded dissertations on any subject will lose the readers interest fast."
I've eliminated the sender's name as I don't believe it's necessary to reveal the identity.
Thanks for the comments XXXX, I understand. I stopped where I did, for now, because of the length and complexity. I'm certain i probably left out some key point that would help you understand. I'm pretty sure that with more background and detail (good grief) that you might better understand.
Basically, it is my belief that, the department could be inadvertently pushed into oblivian through some political game that is being played out. I'm not even certain of the purpose.
Volunteer's save this community literally millions of dollars each year. But they like to think they are truly appreciated, trusted, and are performing a valuable service. Feed them those three things and they thrive. Treat them with lip service as praise and imply distrust, they will find something else to do and fast They don't like politics and controversy, they just want to do what they are trained to do.
As an organization they are being treated by this council with the atmosphere of distrust as if they have mismanaged the business affairs of the department. I believe the SSVFD is and has been a good steward of their finances, and is a healthy viable organization. I may not, as a member agree with everything the goes on, but I tend to be an outcome oriented person. What I watch for is what happens when the dispatch goes out. If there are any internal differences at that point, they get set aside in order to get the job done.
And, this department does an outstanding job. There are paid departments on the beach that at times have had to reply to dispatches with "Not Responding" or "Standing By". To my knowledge it has never happened in the history of the SSVFD.
Why would it be in the interest of the citizens to ruin this? What is the purpose of strangling the SSVFD budget while reducing the tax rate and begin to pay council members $300 a month each?
I'm honestly concerned that this could lead to the end of the SSVFD. Is the Town Council prepared for that? This could easily lead to one of two realities, a paid Fire Dept. which would easily double the tax rate or double the insurance rates. Take a look at your tax bill then call your insurance agent and see which one you would prefer.
The SSVFD is a contracted agent of the Town. Council should hire them and stay out of their operations, let them do their job, or for more direct control start their own town department.
I don't know how else I could put it.
I think you made it very clear in both posts. Your analysis is very accurate. The lose of volunteer fire service would cost homeowners either through increased taxes for paid fire service or radically increased insurance rates.
ReplyDeleteThere is another alternative that has been discussed but seems to have slipped away. Let the VFD become a fire district with Martins Point included then let them set their own tax rate as the other departments in the unincorporated parts of the county do. Cut the town rate by 2 cents then let the VFD take responsibility for fire protection and let the town get out of the way.
I appreciate the comments. Your idea regarding a fire district was actually proposed by the SSVFD a couple of months ago. But the county wanted a resolution from the town requesting that change. TOSS Council chose not to do so.
ReplyDeleteI think there were a number of reasons they chose not to, but that would be speculation on my part and I don't want to publish speculation.