Although my participation in the "Study" was mentioned as well as Bonnie McQuiston, Frank Day and Mike Flynt I feel that I actually had no part in the development of Report.
I was invited to only 1 meeting - the SWOT analysis. The balance of the report was done internally by the Sheriffs office. I personally do not believe that the transfer does anything to resolve the issues other than "leadership".
The transfer will not:
1. Reduce response times
2. Solve the staffing issues
3. Lower the fire rating for residents
4. Improve the facilities or
5. Provide advancement opportunities for employees
Those things are only improved with an sustained increase in funding. The Sheriff offered no vision concerning the funding levels. He stated he could work with the current budget until the new budget cycle was completed.
Once again the North Walton residents have not been consulted concerning the level of professional service they are willing to fund.
It appears that the BCC wants to rid itself of the management of a vital service rather than addressing the funding issue directly.
It appears that the commissioners are trying to provide a urban level of service in a rural setting with no funding source identified.
I thought the "Study" provided by the Sherrif was worth exactly what the commission paid. Nothing !
Bob,
In January when this originally went before the BCC they voted for yet another feasibility study. Sara Comander pointed out there had been at least 5 feasibility studies done and the BCC did nothing with those except kick the can down the road a few more years. Mike Adkinson stood to speak and offered to do the in house study that was done. The BCC (
ALL 5 Commissioners) agreed to that.
Now Chapman wants to have his cake and eat it too because he wasn't happy with the study they agreed to do because it didn't suit his agenda.
You're right about one thing though, the North end wasn't represented in that study (by design I'm sure) but the North End was well represented by the guys who put their lives on the front lines at that meeting today.
With the exception of myself, Danny Glidewell and Gordon Porter (who I have not seen at ANY County Commission meeting in YEARS) no one else from the north end (if anyone was even there) stood to speak for or against moving FIRE/EMS under the Sheriff even though it was a public meeting and well advertised.
The complaint I heard most often today was ALL about the money. What the WCTA and others who were so concerned didn't talk about were...grants that have NOT been applied for in YEARS that could have gone a long way in addressing some of the money issues and ya know the funny part about that? The man who should have known (Bobby Martin) couldn't tell anyone in that room when the last time was that the County even bothered to apply for them with the exception of the 2 grants that have just recently been applied for. Really? Leadership huh?
I also heard about the little old lady living in rural Paxton who can't afford to pay more money but what NO ONE bothered to mention (until I brought it up) was that the little old lady living in rural Paxton, on a fixed/low income pays less than Danny Glidewell does because of tax breaks offered through the County Tax collectors office. Those same tax breaks are offered to an 83 year old friend of mine living on a fixed income very near the circle who pays almost nothing! My 84 year old father however, doesn't qualify for those tax breaks because his income is higher. The little old lady didn't attend the meeting either so, evidently she had no dog in the fight.
I'll grant you the little old lady's house in Paxton would be reduced to embers before FIRE/EMS got there but even Danny accepted the fact his home would also be reduced to embers because of where he has chosen to live.
As for Gordon Porter, cry me a river! His complaint was paying almost 800.00 a year but he wasn't complaining when the County built a private road to his opry house or all the other shenanigans he pulled as a County Commissioner and got something for nothing, nor did he complain about Station 11 being built not far from him. His place would also likely survive a fire because of his proximity to the Station.
NoWal had a chance to show up and show out today and evidently couldn't have been bothered. Maybe for good reason, maybe they recognize that we need organization, safer working conditions, better administration and better living conditions for the folks who put their lives on the line for us everyday.
Throw that 50 thousand dollar feasibility study money Chapman would have had the taxpayers spend today at the Sheriff and see what he can do to improve conditions...I'm sure he'd appreciate it. The BCC has kicked the last 5 of them down the road for years and the situation got worse!