Lafayette Professional Firefighters

Letters to the Editor Blog

Posted by Camera Staff 

Linda Radclliffe: Lafayette 2A: a small, but necessary, price to pay

Posted October 8, 2008

Lafayette citizens have a wonderful opportunity to make a statement about their community values with Ballot Issue 2A, which is asking for a small, dedicated source of income for the fire department and ambulance service. I know it’s difficult not to automatically vote ‘no’ for anything that says “tax” in this economy, but this tax is for a basic, life or death issue.The great thing about having these services in-house (provided by the City) is that we don’t have to rely upon an outside service for EMT expertise. Any way you look at it, the taxpayer gets more bang for the buck. We’re supporting our own and getting a two-fer efficiency deal.You call 911 about a fire. The department rolls (and can reach you within a few minutes). They can put out the fire, AND give you critical life saving treatment if need be - saving your property - saving your life.I’ve heard a lot about the value of the volunteer fire department we used to have … and that’s absolutely true, and god bless ‘em. But as more and more folks have to work harder in this economy to stay afloat financially, there is less time for the time-consuming volunteer dedication that has served our community so well in the past. We need folks who are there and at the ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and we need equipment that’s up to the task … and that takes money.Do we value this essential service enough to spend a few extra bucks to support it? As a person who woke up unexpectedly inside an ambulance a while back … I say yes, it’s a small price to pay - for ourselves, our neighbors, and our community.Linda RadcliffeLafayette

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