PART 1 OF 2: Supporters of Fire levy adjustment campaign try to close the deal
A CNL2 VIDEO IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
Originally Published Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Video Directed by Dave Schnuckel
Audio direction by Jeremy Tyler
Written summary by Jeff Noedel
Produced at SanJuans.Today Studios in Friday Harbor, WA
On Tuesday, Heather Spaulding and Jeff Noedel spoke with Maureen See and John McDowell, two vocal supporters of San Juan Island Fire & Rescue’s proposed levy lid lift. It’s on the Nov. 5 ballot.
The discussion begins with Jeff asking why Maureen thinks no one chose to write a “con” argument for the official November voter’s guide. Maureen is the wife of a longtime volunteer firefighter here. John is a retired career firefighter from another part of the country, who volunteers at our fire department now.
At 3:15 minutes into the discussion, Maureen explained that she began looking into the fire department’s finances about a year ago, and she concluded, “We are headed to a storm.”
(5:00) How much has changed since 1963, the last time the levy was increased? Did past commissioners drop the ball over the years by not adjusting the levy for six decades?
(7:15) Do people understand the history of the mounting financial crisis? Or do people think this is just about recent years of inflation?
(8:20) How much additional money per year will this raise for the Fire Department? How many years is the new levy expected to meet the needs of the Fire Department?
(9:45) Describe the impacts on the service the Fire Department will be able to provide if this levy does not pass.
(12:00) John describes the age of the department’s apparatus, and why it matters. (New term: “WSRB”: Washington Surveying & Rating Bureau)! Immediate concerns: tenders and a ladder truck which will cost more than $1 million.
(14:30) How is the public responding to the levy campaign, and how does one get one of those giant red bumper stickers? (Maureen does a lot of her campaigning in the supermarket aisles.)
(16:15) Do people understand yet that 24/7 coverage overnight will drop to a single firefighter if the levy does not pass?
(19:00) Describe the connection between the condition of a local fire department and the property and casualty insurance premiums everyone pays in that locality.
This is part one of a two-part interview. Part two will be published tomorrow.
This CNL2 video is approximately 23 minutes in duration.
Additional links:
- Special campaign web page explaining the levy election
- Previous SanJuans.Today interview of Chief Monin and Com. Dwight Colley (Part 1)
- Previous SanJuans.Today interview of Chief Monin and Com. Dwight Colley (Part 2)
- Previous SanJuans.Today interview of Chief Monin and Com. Dwight Colley (Part 3)
- San Juan Island Fire & Rescue (website)
- San Juan Island Fire & Rescue (Facebook)
- San Juan County Fire Marshal’s Office (County website)
- San Juan Island EMS (website)
NOTE: SanJuans.Today is happy to extend equal access to any credible citizen of San Juan Island who wishes to speak in opposition to the Fire Department levy increase. Email Jeff.Noedel@cnl2.com to discuss an appearance.
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