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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1999
Our View
Fire and rescue
Let's be thankful for what we have,
and show appreciation to a volunteer.
Recently, the county’s fire and rescue budget has
come under rather intense scrutiny from citizens
and lawmakers alike. A number of people are against a retention and recruitment program, and some think that it may be preferable to switch to paid fire and rescue personnel completely. But lost in all this is the job that our volunteer workers do for us, day in and day out.
These people do what few are willing to do, sometimes putting their lives on the line, and do not get paid for it. And while the carnivals and other events that the fire companies host are great for the community, they do not generate near enough money to cover operating expenses. Even though most of us are in agreement that we don’t want higher taxes, fire and rescue needs tax money from the county to keep going.
Not only do fire and rescue workers give their time and energy freely for the community, many people work behind the scenes to raise money among other things. Regardless of whether you think the fire and rescue budget is too high, the people who volunteer for this work deserve our appreciation.
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