Fire tax failure would be costly
May 03, 2012 | 694 views | 3 3 comments | 17 17 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Editor:

We have talked to members of the insurance community regarding homeowners insurance. It is clear that the cost of your homeowners insurance is based on the proximity and capability of your local fire department.

The East Contra Costa County Fire Protection District covers 250 square miles and protects over 100,000 citizens. If Measure S fails, they will close three of the remaining six district fire stations. This means from eight to nine firefighters on duty per day to cover the territory mentioned above.

These closures will have a significant impact on response capabilities of the fire district, therefore impacting response times and the rates charged for fire insurance in the affected areas. The rate increase can be very significant and well above the amount proposed in the parcel tax initiative.

Ask the community of Morgan Territory what happened to them when their station was closed. They were able to come to the fire board meeting and demand that their station be opened when this happened to them. This will not be the case if Measure S fails.

There will be no money to open the stations back up once folks realize that their insurance companies have denied further coverage, demanded full payment of home loans or quadrupled their insurance rates. You will be stuck with the consequences for a while before the parcel tax could be represented to the voters for a revote.

Please stay informed regarding this issue. Not only can it cost you life or property via a fire or medical emergency; it can cost you a lot more than the $197 a year.

Not a “scare tactic” but a fact!

For more information, visit www.protecteastcountyfire.com.

Vince Wells

President, Local 1230

Contra Costa Professional Firefighters
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Comments
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John_Gonzales
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May 03, 2012
This looks just like a scare tactic and that’s the real fact. The truth of the matter has been exposed. People need to hold the County responsible for poor financial management and unequal fire protection throughout this County. The only real correction for not only the firefighters but for all residents of this county is to form a new fire agency. Just this little ECCFPD has racked up $11,000,000.00 in red ink. All this tax will do is buying down that debt a little more. In time more will be asked for over and above the automatic annual tax increase written into this measure. Voting for the tax is more costly due to the duplication of services we already receive. This tax will not even improve services to Discovery Bay, Byron, or Oakley for at least five more years if it doesn’t run into more debt and unfunded liabilities. Stop the scare tactics and work with our County Supervisors to create a true solution that gives our firefighters the exact same wages as their counterparts in Con Fire. Both are run by the Board of Supervisors. No more partial fixes, band aid solutions that are temporary. This new tax was slapped together at the last minute in haste. Now the scare ultimatums are the selling point. Vote yes or else is the motto. The solution is far beyond a new tax. Stop putting money into a bottomless pit.

Let’s get a real solution.

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BaronAswind
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May 03, 2012
Sometimes if you don't vote "yes" you do end up with the "or else". Is this tax a band-aid, yes. It is a band-aid that will allow the district ten years to get a "real" solution. "Real" solutions don't come in a hurry or over night and they don't come at knife point. It is time the residents of this district stop citing the past and look towards the future.
BaronAswind
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May 03, 2012
My wife was in the insurance industry for almost a decade and this is what she has to say about the measure "vote yes, Pay it now, maintain services" or "Vote no, pay it anyways, lose services."

She is a very smart cookie. Thanks for writing this Mr. Wells.
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