From: Rachel Bartz
To: Mary Gourley
Subject: Comment for 5/17 Mtg; Keep the full time Fire position Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2022 9:15:59 AM
Dear Ms Gourley,
Would you kindly submit this comment for today’s meeting? With thanks, Rachel Allen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Public Comment for May 17 Council Meeting
Agenda Item #7, Fire Department
May 17, 2022
Dear City Council Members,
I’m new to this issue, and this might be an overly simplistic understanding of the issue…. but why on earth would the City Council want to eliminate a full time position from the City fire station - when fires are more dangerous than they’ve ever been?
Sure you could consolidate two fire departments and let go of a full time fire position - saving money.
But is it a good idea to try fire safety "on the cheap" when fires are increasing in number and severity? Everyone knows that California is being battered with persistent drought and longer, more vicious fire seasons in the fall. If the Council wants to protect Sebastopol lives and property, it should be adding more positions and payroll dollars to the fire department.
So why make cutbacks to the fire department? Is it because the City wasted $1.2 million of residents' money last summer by clicking on fake wire transfer scams? Because of this travesty, is the Council pushing this expense back onto the firehouse to make them scramble for their own financing and passing a new parcel tax?
It would be such a relief if the City Council could use taxpayer money for services we actually want - like firefighting… instead of throwing our money away.
Regards,
Rachel Allen
Sebastopol