On Sept. 17 a message was sent to the commissioners of King County Fire Protection District 50 – also known as the “Skykomish Fire Department.” Taxpayers by a 55 percent margin rejected an increase in taxes to further support what I believe is the waste and abuse that has been perpetrated by the district for many years. What is uniquely interesting about this election is that five other districts in King County overwhelmingly voted in favor of increases in their districts by margins of 70 percent, leaving District 50 as the only district where the levy increase failed.
It’s time for District 50 commissioners to step up to the job they were elected to perform and provide the services the district needs.
Our district is seriously in need of a paramedic to respond to district emergencies. Paramedic services are currently provided by the Monroe Fire Department or airlift and these services are frequently called upon when they are not needed because there is no one within the district qualified to adequately evaluate a patient’s medical needs. Having a local paramedic would not only provide fast response and proper evaluation of local medical emergencies but would also provide ongoing, real-world training for the volunteer EMTs of the district.
As evidenced by results in the five other districts mentioned above, I believe taxpayers would easily approve increases if District 50 commissioners were to heed the message being delivered here and provide the services district residents need and demand.
Gold Bar
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