Let current crew fix tax disparity

Here is an important reason you should support your Fire District 21 Commissioners and Fire Chief Travis Hots. One that many of you aren’t aware of.

I’ve been in EMS and the fire service for 36 years and have recently retired. I have also served in the past as your Fire District 21 Commissioner.

Do you realize that from south of Arlington we supply 45.6 percent of the revenue for Fire District 21, and yet 100 percent of the appreciating assets are located in Arlington Heights for the people of the Heights to enjoy?

I have spent years at the commissioner level and as a concerned informed taxpayer trying to pique some kind of interest in correcting this disparity. It is unhealthy for us to continue investing in the future of the Height’s fire protection and not having any growth in our own protection. We have got to stop that. Have you ever wondered why your fire insurance rates are so high out here south of town?

The good news is this: We have the attention of the current commissioners and the fire chief, who are trying to fix this disparity in our investment.

My informed recommendation is this: Retain the current commissioner group and give them a chance to finish what they have started. Retain Dan Britton as Fire Commissioner and support Fire Chief Hots and his very knowledgeable efforts.

Giving them a chance to finish the job is the wisest course of action, although if the opposition is too great to fix the disparity we should consider taking control of our tax money. We have given to Fire District 21 for over 40 years, and we have nothing in the form of appreciating assets to show for it.

John Jacobson

Former Fire District 21 Commissioner

Arlington

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