There was a very short article in last week’s South Beach Bulletin about the EMS Levy that will be on the Primary Ballot. Once again, just like last year, we are being asked for what seems like a very large amount of money to support South Beach Ambulance or as they like to be called, South Beach Fire and EMS. Just two years ago, the residents in Pacific County Fire District #5 in North Cove/Tokeland were asked for $106,000 and now the amount, like last year, is nearly doubled and no justification has been stated for the drastic increase.
The Fire Commissioners of Pacific County Fire District 5 have failed to seek a “Lid Lift” on the collected taxes, which means now, instead of collecting $1.00 per thousand dollar assessed value they are only collecting around $.80 per thousand. That is why we are paying higher taxes. Instead of paying $1.92 per thousand to get the required amount, we are paying $2.39 per thousand. For those of us on fixed incomes and receiving no COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) increase this year, this really hurts.
Recently, the Director of South Beach Ambulance has been seen parading a 4x4 military surplus vehicle around that South Beach Ambulance received. What purpose will this vehicle serve? How did the Ambulance Service get this vehicle from military surplus? They are not a government entity. Where is the money coming from to set this vehicle up and was it included in an approved budget? I really doubt that it was. I believe that they have pretty much ignored following any kind of budget and feel they can spend all the money they want. After all, all they need to do is send the bill to the supporting Fire Districts and the City of Westport and they will pay the bill.
The commissioners of all the fire districts and the City of Westport need to get control of the spending going on at South Beach Ambulance. Make the Director accountable for his actions.
I strongly encourage all voters to vote NO on this year’s EMS Levy.
Rick Wilcox
Tokeland
Editor’s Note: In the interest of clarity, as a matter of policy, individuals against whom complaints are expressed through these pages are offered an opportunity for response in the same issue. The following response comes from South Beach Ambulance Service Director Art Cole:
For the past year, both South Beach Ambulance Service (SBEMS) and South Beach Fire & EMS (SB Fire & EMS), the cooperative organization formed by the four area fire districts and the City of Westport, have been exploring tracked and 4x4 vehicle options to increase accessibility to emergencies in soft sand and dune grass areas.
The surplused military 4x4 vehicle that SBEMS obtained came from the state Department of Natural Resources at no cost to SBEMS or to SB Fire & EMS.
The vehicle will serve a number of functions. It will be used for soft sand beach rescue, quick-attack brush fire fighting in rough terrain and added illumination at fire, accident and crime scenes.
All funding used to get the vehicle equipped, painted and operational came from the recently closed Betty Holand estate that left a very generous contribution to SBEMS for the purchase of needed equipment. For an additional savings from that funding source, Westport Fire Department donated a radio and Westport Police Department donated a siren.
The 4x4 vehicle is expected to be fully operational and in service by August 1.
In addition to money spent on equipping this vehicle, the Holand estate also funded the purchase of two new $35,000 Life Pack 15 defibrillators, saving taxpayers $70,000.
Art Cole
Director - SBEMS
