In a nearly split East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Board vote, the District decided it will not be moving forward with a $98 parcel tax in the June Election after months of deliberations.
In a 4 “yes” to 5 “no” vote, Board members voiced their opinions after the results of a recent mailer was shared with the Board.
According to Charles Heath, a consultant the District recently hired from TBWB Strategies, the District mailed out 41,299 pieces on February 19 and made a survey available online. In total, the district received 862 total responses—or just 2%. The consultant explained that the results of the survey were not statistically representative of the voters in June. The cost of the mailer was roughly $35,000.
Of the 862 responses, a total of 630 people said they would pay $98 to maintain fire services while another 118 said they would pay more. 15 said they would pay less while 54 said they would not pay.
The survey came after the Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230, provided results to the board of scientific polling with likely voters. The results of their survey highlighted support at just 54%–or 13% below support needed to pass a tax.
The Board debated for a little over 45-minutes about whether or not to move forward with a tax which would help keep all five current stations open. Once the vote was recorded, it now appears the downtown Brentwood station and Knightsen are on the chopping block.
Director Greg Cooper explained the polling showed where voters stand.
“The challenge is that 54% approval on a previous survey and a 2% response to this survey, it doesn’t make any sense to move forward with a June Election. That is my personal opinion,” said Cooper.
Meanwhile, Director Cheryl Morgan stated she was inclined to wait until November because the mailer only had a 2% response rate.
Director Joe Young explained that waiting until November would mean a higher tax later and they may not be able to have five stations going forward.
“What we have here tonight is to make a decision to make an effort to maintain a 5 station service and let the public have a say in that or want to move forward with some kind of transition to less than five station service,” said Young. “The failure to start now, make that effort and give the people the opportunity to take our best shot at education is a decision to have less than five stations. There is no financial alternative.”
Director Young admitted it would be a tough sell, he stated in November it would be closer to a $120 parcel tax to maintain five stations. He also shared concerns they would then have to cover deficits and reserves. He stated it could be close to $4.5 million on top of a needed parcel tax.
“We will be talking in November asking the public if you would like to pay $50 more for four stations and that will be a tough sell,” said Young.
Director Steve Smith shared that he did not see how the Board could move forward with a tax that will not pass and considered it a waste of taxpayer money.
“While I wasn’t happy with 40% opposition, none of the compelling arguments we have to make made one bit of difference in the June demographics. It would be a terrible waste of taxpayer money to go forward in June,” said Smith.
He further argued working on a November ballot and look into financial bridging. Smith also would like to see a report on Consolidation by merging with CONFIRE while taking another review of everything they considered in the past.
“I just have to get something else off my chest, every once in a while someone pops up and says well they are going to have to live within their means like we are a separate race of beings. I want to say this to the public, if we don’t get this resolved, you are going to live within our means—or not!” said Smith.
Board Vice President Ronald Johansen explained waiting until November would be sending mixed signals to the voters.
“I am concerned that by waiting until November that we will be sending a mixed message. This board has been responding to the public identifying that without this election we will be closing stations. If we wait until November we are going to be shutting stations. We have been telling the public, because tis factual, what a risk that will be to the community,” explained Johansen.
He further explained that people didn’t believe we would close stations in the past and layoff firefighters and a level of response that was not even poor, but “despicable”.
“I don’t want to be responsible as a board member saying that it was okay to close down stations to hold an election later in hopes that we win. I do want to educate the public and educate them aggressively and quickly,” said Johansen. “I am concerned what gains we get from waiting we lose in the mixed messages by others who are also going after a tax. “
He further stated that he could support any plan that closes stations.
“I will never sit here as a board member saying it’s okay to close down a fire station even temporary hoping that we will win an election later in the year. I can’t do that and I am not going to. I am for a June election,” said Johansen.
Director Jonathan Michelson suggested waiting until November calling it not the Boards first choice, but it’s only choice.
“None of us want to close fire stations, but the reality is that the expert we hired said it’s almost impossible to pass this tax. I don’t know if I am willing to spend what little money we have on something that is almost unwinnable,” said Michelson.
Director Young expressed his concern about waiting until November and how the public may come to the Board an ask why they didn’t allow for a vote in June to save the stations. The public may accuse the Board of closing the stations instead of the public.
“The discussion in November will not be about 5-stations unless you’re willing to go for a $135 parcel tax and the poll is saying your smoking grass if you think you can even get $50,” said Young. “In reality this is our last chance. A vote in November is not a vote for 5-stations.”
Director Johansen explained that if voters vote down the parcel tax, it gives us the power to pursue other options and get other stakeholders involved. He explained discussions could occur with Board of Supervisors, City of Brentwood, City of Oakley and LAFCO.
Director Smith chimed in stating the public will get a vote, but now may not be the time.
“I believe that the public is entitled to a vote and I intend to give them a vote, but I just do not see how we can waste this opportunity on an election that has an immovable 40% who oppose. I feel at this point it’s a waste of public funds,” said Smith. “I regard this as a tactical withdrawal and not surrender.”
Young shot back stating that if they don’t go forward, the financial obligations will be too great to make up because they would have to find $4.5 million from somewhere.
Director Cooper stated the voters said no last election and the polling data they have is comparable to the last election. If we are going to talk strategy, we need to think 2-3 years away.
“This is the equivalent of throwing a hail marry pass down the field and no one is down there to catch the ball,” said Cooper. “The data shows this will not pass. I get we don’t want to make the tough decisions, but the voters have voted and in difference scenarios they said they don’t want a tax.”
When asked if the polling has ever been wrong, Charles Heath, TBWB Strategies, explained that you can see a 2, 3 or even 4 points where the polls are wrong but this specific district are talking about making up 12 to 13%. He said he would be surprised if it was made up.
Board President Joel Bryant prefaced his comments by stating he is not a “raving idiot” and is fully aware of both sides of the argument. He explained he knows what the ramifications are awaiting for November and what the challenges are in June.
He called the problem a fundamental structure issue in June in terms of funding.
“The reason that I wanted to bring this to the Board in June in the first place is to purchase some time with dollars instead of lives at stake to come up with a viable solution to the real problem which is we don’t have enough money or anyway to get more money without changing the structure of the District,” explained Bryant.
He explained the drought and how this year is going to be one of the driest fire years and having five engines is vital. He shared the importance of five stations with three people on engines and how people will feel the suffering that people have talked about.
“I don’t believe my family needs to feel the suffering, I am not certain there is a number that is acceptable collateral damage and when I hear terms, I know it’s out of context, feel the pain and need to suffer, what you are suffering , what you are saying is its okay for my family to suffer because we live here in this district and for your family to suffer because you live in this district, and everyone’s family in this room because they live here too. You are saying it’s okay for you to have a death in the family because of a heart attack a stroke, if it’s not a heart attack or stroke how long would you like to be stuck in a car waiting to be extracted form it? How long is that okay? 20 minutes? 30 minutes? An hour? I think you deserve to get someone to respond in a reasonable amount of time to help when you call 9-1-1,” said Bryant.
He explained it’s not a scare tactic, but reality.
“The fact is this, if we do not have additional revenue, you will not have the ability to be confident that when you call 9-1-1 that you will have someone there to help you. That is just what is a fact,” said Bryant.
Bryant further explained that if he wanted until November vote they will be operating at a less than five service model and that when someone dials 9-1-1, there may not be someone available to respond in time.
“I don’t feel like you need to suffer and I don’t want you to feel the pain but that is going to be the result of kicking this decision further away. This is a band aid, but it’s a band aid that gives us an opportunity to restructure the district so we do not have to do this any longer,” said Bryant. “I am not willing to trade your lives or my family lives for an opportunity to wait a few months to get a positive vote. I can’t in good conscious do that.”
Roll Call Vote: (Yes = June Ballot / No = No ballot)
- Joel Bryant – Yes
- Ronald Johansen – Yes
- Kevin Bouillon – No
- Greg Cooper – No
- Robert Kenny – Yes
- Jonathan Michaelson – No
- Cheryl Morgan – No
- Stephen Smith – No
- Joe Young – Yes
Editors Note:
By December, two fire stations will close–the most likely stations will be Downtown Brentwood followed by Knightsen.
50 comments
While I am disappointed, I am not surprised. So many people have their heads stuck in the sand and have the attitude, don’t worry, the government will not let this happen. Well, its going to happen. NO if, ands or buts! And all the no new tax people either don’t understand the issue or refuse to understand the issue. I am so fed up and disgusted with some of the posting here-its the same thing over and over, year after year, but nothing has been done to solve the issue. Developers keep building, people keep moving out here demanding service but refusing to step up to the plate. Well, I am all for paying a tax not for myself, but for my friends and neighbors. When my elderly neighbor falls and needs help, I want to know that help is there. When my friend has a heart attack and his heart stops, I want to know that help will be coming with one phone call. When a stranger crashes into a power pole, and is critically injured, I want to know that help is coming swiftly. That unskilled and untrained people meaning to help DON”T make things worse. Well after November, that help is going to be a long distance away. Hell, I bet some calls will not even be responded to. And who do we have to blame??? each and every one of us that live in this district. Well, you wanted it, no new tax……I hope that you like the level of service.
I agree with Barbara about the need for timely EMS.
It sounds like our fire suppression services are definitely going to suffer, but that doesn’t mean EMS has to suffer. The County can and should step up to protect/fund an adequate level of EMS with QRV and AMR.
You mean the AMR company that is sucking wind like so many medical service companies in the Bay Area?
Howyagonnadothat, Homie? They are barely profitable now and you want to add to their load with QRVs that cost $1.4M each?
Your County is legally required to provide you transport service. BLS and ALS is and has been a bonus that people like you have taken for granted. But that gravy train is now on it’s final tour. You don’t see a value in paying for it, so you soon won’t have it.
Pretty simple concept. Kinda like logistics services. When someone is unwilling to pay, you don’t provide them. A better analogy you can relate to?
Buy a clue
Don’t waste time with the troll. Taxman by another name is the same fool trying to get anyone to sympathize with his lunacy. He has no idea how emergency service or tax structure operates. He operates as a repetitive simpleton while he tries his best get everyone else to pay his necessities. You cannot educate him, he is clueless.
I will take a “They are barely profitable now” AMR over the bankrupt P.O.S ECCFPD any day Homie
The last time the stations closed the sky didn’t fall chicken little. Close the stations and get it over with for Gods sake, NO if, and or buts!
Great, so because this board did not move forward, I now will be in a situation where my engines in Antioch will be in another fire district half the time. I think East County from Bay Point to Discovery Bay is in for a lot of pain. The polling does not lie. I am surprised this was a 5-4 vote, I was expecting 9-0 against it after the firefighters shared their information.
Knightsen on the chopping block? That station has been open for what 70 years. Why now in 2014 is there a problem all of the sudden? Who the hell is running this shit show?
I rest my case about people with their heads in the sand. Station was closed then reopened with grant money with the full knowledge that if a revenue source wasn’t put into place, it would be closed again.
Sorry, 68 years. Bottom line is the fire protection in east county ran like a top for decades until these paid buffoons got their greedy little hands on the reins. Those are the facts.
Still ain’t buying it
Are you making up your own facts now? Fire protection in east county never ran like a top. IT got by for a while, when no one was really paying attention. The district has had more than its fair share of issues.
Let me introduce you to my little friend “Google”. You might want to figure out how that search engine works before spouting off.
That’s a fact.
You hit the nail on the head. Thank You!
@stillaintbuyingit…
Sooo what your saying is that the ole volunteer fire department of yesteryear is far better and superior to the paid professionals that currently protect your fragile little backside?! Volunteers are long gone as is the past, hence the term “past”. No longer is Johnny and Roy going to drop their plow to put the barn fire out! No longer are Johnny and Roy not going to take their crops to market because Aunt Gertrude had a heart attack, because I’ll bet those two clowns don’t even know the first steps in the chain of survival! So put the past where it belongs understand your present times and most importantly, become an educated man and visit one of the stations we buffoons work at. Trust me, we will be more than happy to educate your simpleton little backside!!!
HH
As someone stated before the fire protection we have today is worse than the fire protection we had in 1980. I don’t blame the “professional” (majority of the “professionals” were trained by veteran volunteers) firefighters themselves but definitely the goons who enacted the whole failing model. More People. More Money. Less Protection.
Still don’t buy it?
You might want to be a little more specific. I’m not sure who the ambiguous “someone stated” is, but I can tell you the fire protection and emergency services we have today is better than what we enjoyed in 1980. Firefighters that I have met here, posses college degrees are EMTs and have hours and hours of specialized training. They are all on duty and ready to respond 24/7. I see that as an upgrade. That wasn’t the case 34 years ago.
“Goons, More People and Someone Stated” are generic terms which are often inserted by someone who lacks credibility and is short on facts.
Just my two cents.
@Still don’t buy it
Thanks for underscoring the point of low information voters.
Here you are insisting more people and more money. If you were paying attention you would know that with the tanking of home values the District is bringing in far LESS money than it was 5 years ago.
But facts have a tendency to get in the way way of a good, pointless rant.
dude where have you been the last two years?
Looks to me like the voters are running this “s**t show”.
Problem with that? Besides Knightsen, Brentwood will close too. The real question is which will be the third station to close? Then the fourth. If you think 2014 is a problem, you aint seen nothing yet.
What a waste of the publics money to spend $35,000 on a mailer that only gets 2% return. Fire the fire board and get some real directors who want to work for the public to make good decisions. The firefighters already gave them a poll and they want to waste our money? Shame on them. Sounds like some of the directors dont want to admit reality and continue to waste money on a ballot that will never pass. Replace them now or I wont ever support this district.
Is it the fire boards fault that their constituents don’t care enough to take 5 minutes to respond to the mailer?
The problem is of their own creation. Let them fix it.
I agree, the mailer was a COMPLETE waste of money. Our money!! It is the fire boards fault that they did not listen to the consultant. It is not rocket science to know that most people would have simply discarded this mailer.
Yourhumblepeasant, this has little to do with fault of the public in east county, it has to do with expected apathy over a situation which has dragged on for years here. The fireboard should have known better. Many others did. Sorry that the firefighters are all caught in the middle of this.
This fire board made the right decision. The public supports other ideas that does not include taxing homeowners. Get to work Board, we are waiting.
Bobby you are growing more foolish by the posting. Why is it that you think the public knows more about the fire department than the experts, consultants and managers? I have yet to read a realistic suggestion which hasn’t been shot down by those that run the fire districts. You don’t see them coming to your place of employment and telling you how to serve French fries. Get to work Bobby, we are waiting.
Those experts, consultants, and managers are doing more harm than good. Seriously, 35 thousand dollars to send out junk mail! The simple fact that these idiots can’t solve the problem themselves and had to hire a consultant just proves these folks need to be fired.
The “idiots”, as you call them, are having to deal with low information voters. Trying to explain revenue shortfalls and broken Prop 13 funding formulas to your standard issue internet troll is like explaining calculus to a 3 year old.
It’s a low percentage shot.
If you’ve got a better idea that no one else has presented, how about sharing it with the class instead of just whining? Maybe even get off your keyboard and volunteer for the Board positions, since you seem to suggest you have it all figured out.
#35k…by all means, step up with your ideas so the brain trust here can tell you how dumb you are. That’s their game…if you don’t offer ideas your complaints aren’t valid. If you do offer ideas you will be attacked for not knowing what your talking about. If you don’t volunteer to serve you have no right to complain. If you do volunteer to serve you are unqualified.
Know this though, you are right. The money was wasted. And the smartest people on this website are left holding the bag for all of us idiots. They have no solution that will pass the voter test and no willingness to accept suggestions.
They seem to have a different agenda than the majority of the public. As an example, David Piepho, retired firefighter and husband of county supervisor Mary Piepho recently made a public statement at a fire district meeting promoting shutting stations down even before there is a financial necessity just so the public could suffer as much and as soon as possible. He wants to teach us a lesson.
Fortunately Local 1230 is made up of fantastic, classy, and hardworking firefighters with integrity, and their leader is searching for solutions and not promoting retired firefighter Piepho’s reckless and arrogant suggestion/threat. Note: Retired firefighter Piepho was not a member of Local 1230.
Hopefully Mrs. Piepho will join with Local 1230 and also look past her husband’s remarks to fulfill her obligation as both a county supervisor and ConFire board member to find solutions to the county’s EMS issues. If so, we may find the district is more able to solve their fire protection issues.
And we need to commit to remembering the efforts of the 1230 guys and work to increase their take home pay as we work toward a resolution of these EMS and fire protection issues. They are very deserving.
@CCCVoter
No ideas have really been expressed other than a tax which the public does not support via results of a Local1230 Poll. The public does, however, support the firefighters with a 75% approval level, unfortunately they do not support a tax. In turn they support going down to three-stations or less which I personally find to be a shame because we are going to lose great firefighters and service.
In regards to Mr. Piepho’s statement, his comments are being taken out of context which Board President Joel Bryant also admitted during the last meeting. Long story short, Mr. Piepho explained that voters will not support any tax, until they have to or personally witness station closures. I think we can all agree, no one purposely wants anyone to suffer. Also forgotten in his comments was a cost saving solutions to ensure a 4th station remains open much longer than Dec. The Board has yet to take any proactive measure since the meeting.
A lot of the board’s decisions have been decision by crisis. Based off my discussions with Mr. Piepho after the meeting, he is drawing on experience as a former elected official, LAFCO Commissioner and firefighter. While I won’t say I agree 100%, his opinion is valid just like anyone else’s. It’s up to the board to move forward at this point which they have yet to actual act on anything—they seem to just want to keep talking.
I believe in the end, Supervisor Mary Piepho and Local1230 will work together towards similar goals—however, it’s the other Supervisors that should be the concern.
CCC Voter…I found your posting to by hypocritical and disingenuous. How nice of you to project your misgivings in an attempt to label other’s clarifying comments as attacks. Not sure who you are trying to convince but you are far off of the mark. In contrast, I see certain individuals making themselves look dumb. That’s no one’s fault but their own! The Brain Trust as you call it is presenting factual info to counter the ambiguity. Do you really believe that those that complain and invent distractions should not be subject to correction or better yet, held accountable? I find that odd that this bothers you.
Mr. Piepho got it right. You might want to read his comments; they are far different from what you claimed. https://eastcountytoday.net/polling-highlights-lack-of-voter-support-for-june-election-tax-measure-may-be-delayed/
No amount of propaganda in the form of letters, fliers, mailers or informational briefings is going to change the public sentiment towards the needs of the fire department. We’ve all witnessed that effort and frankly it’s not that hard to figure out. I don’t believe Mr. Piepho suggested laying off a single firefighter and he obviously has the credentials to back up his comments. Do you know anyone else that has his level of experience? If so I’d like to hear it and please don’t whine about the clarification of your fabricated commentary as ME making YOU look dumb. YOU own that.
While I agree that the firefighters are underpaid and undervalued, that’s a symptom of a greater problem. It only serves to provide additional noise, which isn’t helping the situation…and throwing incredulous remarks regarding county EMS into the fray doesn’t make sense except to distract from the discussion even further. The issues are many with the ECCFD; let’s not unnecessarily create even more.
Note: Your attempt of chastising people here who are trying to keep the dialogue honest, failed. Let’s be clear, this is no game.
Stan,
I appreciate your point of view, but respectfully suggest you have misunderstood my thoughts, which I assure you were sincere.
No one said Piepho suggested laying off firefighters. Did you think you saw that in my post? Where?
I said was he suggested shutting fire stations, which he did. Correct?
Do you know why he suggested that? You must, because he told us. The reason was to force the public to feel the pain of reduced response times so that they would understand the world as he sees it, suggesting the only reason for daylight between Piepho’s opinion and that of the majority of voters is his superior understanding of all the facts.
He better know more about putting out fires and providing EMS than the average voter, but that doesn’t mean he is blessed with a better understanding of the public’s concerns about the system as it is currently constituted. And frankly, the thought of purposely providing worse/slower service than necessary is abhorrent to me, and possibly dangerous. The latter is something I am quite certain Retired firefight David Piepho understands. So I do wonder about the agenda of such a person recommending such action. How about you? Do you agree with him?
I know that his experience as a firefighter was not the basis for his suggestion, because the firefighters I know strive to provide the best public safety services they can, like Local 1230. I think you know that as well. You adding credence to the suggestion based on his experience as a firefighter seems misguided.
The real issue, however, is whether his wife will join with the Union and the public in looking for a solution that will keep our EMS at reasonable levels and allow the fire districts to survive.
As you requested, I re-read his comments as reported on this website. Keep in mind, this was the report put forth AFTER the Editor spoke with Mr Piepho for context and clarification after the meeting in which the remarks were presented.
—————————————
David Piepho, former Discovery Bay CSD Director and LAFCO Commissioner stated its time to give the public what they asked for which is a reduced
service model to highlight the need for revenue.
“I was really hoping it would not come to this. I’ve spent 14-years working
on a town council, years on LAFCO trying to warn about this train wreck,
it’s real clear to me that the only thing that will get people’s attention
is once the train wrecks. Director Johansen you asked what it’s going to
take, I honestly think what it’s going to take is you guys going down to
three stations,” said Piepho. “As a former firefighter it pains me to say
that. You won’t get the public’s attention doing anything short of closing
stations.”
He suggested that because the firefighters work hard everyday to step up to
the plate to do their job, it sends a message to the public that nothing is
going on and that they are okay. He suggested they stop with a Band-Aid
approach, but go for a solution.
“I personally could not support a tax for $100, but I would for $300-that
tells you where I stand. We can’t put a Band-Aid on the District, we need a
solution. If we put forward a tax that is not enough to make it a better
district we end up doing what the grant did which is giving the public a
false sense of security and that is the direction you are headed in now,”
said Piepho.
One solution he presented was allow the public to experience response times
by doubling up staffing at stations and closing two stations now.
“Let the public feel what it’s like not to have those stations open and
available because today they do not see and not impacted. They are not
showing up to the meetings, they don’t care,” said Piepho. “I don’t know how
to say it any better than the consultant did. Trying to educate them
verbally it’s making no difference going into November. You are going to be
stuck in the same place. Waiting until Sunday night to do your homework
doesn’t work. You are going to have to think out of the box to get out of
this mess because it’s not going to fix itself.”
————
We can agree to disagree, but I find his suggestion contrary to public safety. And for the record, I would have voted in favor of this tax despite several misgivings.
Again, I appreciate the feedback presented in a civil manner and hope I have taken the opportunity you presented to clarify my comments.
Cheers!
35k,
The fact that you suggest that they be “fired” proves my point. If you think they can be “fired” then you don’t know a thing about the situation. Guess that’s why opinions are free.
Too many smart people who think they know it all is the problem. When people gonna get together on this. Everybody always fightin they know better than you. I say they just a bunch a asholes sturin up stuff.
Name calling is indicative of someone who has a low intellect and no original ideas. Why don’t you refrain from that and offer something constructive.
I want to support the firefighters, but not by providing more tax money at this time. They need to work on pension reform and salary reform. I understand there was an article the other week about how low these firefighters are paid, but until the County fixes the problem to come down to ECCFPD salaries, ECCFPD will suffer from Districts over the hill abusing the salary and pension perks. This site has changed my opinion of ECCFPD as a whole and I am thankful, but not the county as a whole where the problem is. There are a lot of issues that need to be addressed before the next election. I rarely comment anymore due to the back and forth nature of this site, but I believe the District made the right call last night. Let’s work to fix the problems, not continue going through a box of band aids. Eventually you run out.
So Jill all do respect but are you seriously saying that we here at ECCFPD should continue to work for substandard wages under extremely difficult conditions because somebody over the hill is overpaid or because of individuals who have taken advantage of the system and spiked their retirements? Those people have nothing to do with the delivery of service out here, and when the service model in ECCFPD flounders those people over the hill will not likely be affected.
It sounds like you would rather see me suffer.
And it’s not like taking money away from them is going to put it in our operating budget.
Jill just proved my point regarding not understanding the issue. Yourhumblepeasant-I a so sorry that some people just don’t understand or want to understand that its not the damn salary and pension that is our problem, its the piss-poor revenue/tax money that this district receives. The district was set up for failure from day 1.
Barbara, you say the district was set up for failure from day one. Can you explain? I agree with you but others may not know how this came about.
The history of fire service in this area is ugly. Before the out of control development there were a bunch of small volunteer depts.(Oakley, Knightsen, Bethel Island, Byron, then later Discovery Bay) We could hear the fire whistles calling the volunteers in. In an attempt to “improve” the level of service, the CC BOS started combining depts (more a case of trying to spread the money around). East Diablo Fire District– Ask any old timer from Disco Bay about that. There are several studies going back 30+ years indicating that the only way that a full-time professional fire dept could be done in ECC was with an additional fire tax. People can disagree all they want but the records are there.
at Aint Buying It?
Where have you been? They closed the station for a few months last year until the safer grant allowed them to reopen it. It will be closed later this year because the fire board has failed the public. We need to bring back volunteers to help. We need to train residents to defend themselves and learn to wait longer for service.
Bobby
Dave is that you? Volunteers? Are you volunteering yourself or some fictional characters? East co., has moved wayyyyyyy past the need for volunteers. You really think they are going to jeopardize their jobs, families, and security to save you a few bucks? No way Bobbo. The days of volunteers speeding through the streets in private vehicles doesn’t happen in a urban setting. Guess you didn’t really think that one through. Your broken record suggestion is unrealistic and overplayed. Isn’t it time for you to come up with another distraction?
I’m sorry but with all the new houses built and sold in this area, there should be plenty of money.
I have owned my home for almost 4 years. This is the third time my payments have gone up to cover some bond or tax measure. I am literally being taxed out of my home. It needs to stop. I’m sure there are a lot of homeowners who have been reduced to one income that just cannot afford another tax increase.
PJ, that is a perfectly legitimate and acceptable reason for an individual to say they don’t want to support a tax measure……..I am utterly disgusted by those who have audacity to get on these boards and spout off as if it’s something that we don’t desperately need.
pj
The fire district has not passed any taxes or had any tax increases. If you have bonds on your tax bill, blame your fellow voters. Blame the school districts that have not been able to manage the taxes that they already get, and they get a lot.
Blame voters for not reading their tax bills or knowing that the schools receive over 60 percent of their tax dollars. The same school districts that have the audacity to come back are play on your heartstrings for additional bonds. That’s right, the schools get over 60 percent and everyone else (police, fire, county, etc) has to fight over the remaining 40 percent. The next tax hike is coming to you via a community college bond. IF it passes they will not only be collecting on their percentage of property taxes, and two EXISTING bonds but their pollsters tell them the public is dumb enough to pass a THIRD bond. If you want to be mad at additional taxes, then I suggest you focus your outrage in the right place.
Bobby you don’t get it at all. Yes you are going to wait longer, much longer. But I guess if it ain’t you it don’t matter. Those fire engines play a much more vital role around here than anyone knows.You see even for the average medical call it takes more than just two people on a bus. What if you are really sick, who goes to the hospital to help, how about if you are a little big who picks you up. The people who think the engines should just go to fires are crazy. Yes the non fire related calls might be seventy percent of the job. But ask any AMR bus about how grateful they are to have the engine show up. The fire board has not failed any one. The people have their heads buried in the sand.
Over the last 30+ years there have been numerous studies done on how to provide professional fire service in ECC. Everyone of them came back that the only way was an additional fire tax. The history of our fire protection is ugly-the BoS had control and tried combining depts to spread the money around. Ask any old timer in Discovery Bay about the old East Diablo Fire District. The howls of outrage from Disco Bay about having to support Brentwood can still be heard. Another time Bethel Island was tied to Brentwood, going through the Oakey-Knightsen District to get to Brentwood. In response to calls for a profession fire district, ECCFPD was formed by the BoS. There is still bad feelings among the long time volunteers about how that went about.
Its been a hot potato for years, no body willing to address the issue-there just wasn’t enough tax revenue to support a professional fire dept. And before the idiots start with the volunteers-those dept were struggling also. Have you seen the price of turnouts? Or insurance? It comes down to revenue stupid!
So here we are, after all these years and money spent on one study after another. One discussion after another. One debate after another. We have less fire protection now than we did in 1980 and a hell of a lot more people living in ECC. Come November it will be even worse. If I sound disgusted, I am. And scared. With LEO and EMT/FF’s in our family, I am all to aware of what can happen and how quickly things can go bad.
So what I’m hearing is the BoS may have helped create this. One thing is for sure, ContraCostaCounty is one. Not west east or central. Until this BOS admits it, that we are one County nothing will change. We should all pay and receive equal service. Period!!!!
We are better off to gets this thing fixed.The board done the right thing.Now lets hear all the blamin that’s gonna go on because they spent all the tax money and won’t get more soon. They better get another grant like the county fire did.Where is all those special people on here who know everything and can leed us out of this problem?
Lou, most of them haven’t gotten up off the floor yet laughing at some of the regular clowns creating new aliases trying to do hillbilly.
The act needs a little work, to be honest.
You best get a seat belt installed on your rocker, old man, because it’s about to get really, really bumpy.
The political make up of this board like others before it will never accomplish a thing. They did not do the “right thing” spending the extra $35,000 on this survey of theirs. Historically those never work. As long as the power struggle continues………..nothing happens.
Julio..Can you please explain in detail the “political makeup” of the board. I think we would all like to know.
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