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

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

Snow dusts the treeline near Heather Lake Trailhead in the area of a disputed logging project on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, outside Verlot, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Move ahead with state forests’ carbon credit sales

A judge clears a state program to set aside forestland and sell carbon credits for climate efforts.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, April 18

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

A new apple variety, WA 64, has been developed by WSU's College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences. The college is taking suggestions on what to name the variety. (WSU)
Editorial: Apple-naming contest fun celebration of state icon

A new variety developed at WSU needs a name. But take a pass on suggesting Crispy McPinkface.

State needs to assure better rail service for Amtrak Cascades

The Puget Sound region’s population is expected to grow by 4 million… Continue reading

Trump’s own words contradict claims of Christian faith

In a recent letter to the editor regarding Christians and Donald Trump,… Continue reading

Liz Skinner, right, and Emma Titterness, both from Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, speak with a man near the Silver Lake Safeway while conducting a point-in-time count Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Everett, Washington. The man, who had slept at that location the previous night, was provided some food and a warming kit after participating in the PIT survey. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Among obstacles, hope to curb homelessness

Panelists from service providers and local officials discussed homelessness’ interwoven challenges.

FILE - In this photo taken Oct. 2, 2018, semi-automatic rifles fill a wall at a gun shop in Lynnwood, Wash. Gov. Jay Inslee is joining state Attorney General Bob Ferguson to propose limits to magazine capacity and a ban on the sale of assault weapons. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Editorial: ‘History, tradition’ poor test for gun safety laws

Judge’s ruling against the state’s law on large-capacity gun clips is based on a problematic decision.

This combination of photos taken on Capitol Hill in Washington shows Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., on March 23, 2023, left, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., on Nov. 3, 2021. The two lawmakers from opposing parties are floating a new plan to protect the privacy of Americans' personal data. The draft legislation was announced Sunday, April 7, 2024, and would make privacy a consumer right and set new rules for companies that collect and transfer personal data. (AP Photo)
Editorial: Adopt federal rules on data privacy and rights

A bipartisan plan from Sen. Cantwell and Rep. McMorris Rodgers offers consumer protection online.

Students make their way through a portion of a secure gate a fence at the front of Lakewood Elementary School on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. Fencing the entire campus is something that would hopefully be upgraded with fund from the levy. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Levies in two north county districts deserve support

Lakewood School District is seeking approval of two levies. Fire District 21 seeks a levy increase.

Comment: Israel should choose reasoning over posturing

It will do as it determines, but retaliation against Iran bears the consequences of further exchanges.

Comment: Ths slow but sure progress of Brown v. Board

Segregation in education remains, as does racism, but the case is a milestone of the 20th century.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, April 17

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.