SKFR resorting to scare tactics again

I believe that Chief Senter is sending mixed signals to the taxpayers of South Kitsap.

First he states that failure to renew the current levy amount of 30 cents per $1,000 will lead to the layoffs of 30 people, closing of 4 stations and the loss of paramedic services.

Then it is stated that they will be requesting a raise to a levy amount of 50 cents per $1,000, which would lead to the hiring of an additional 24 firefighter EMTs.

So what am I missing here? He states that the “citizens need to decide what kind of service they want,” but the only options we are given are to either increase the levy amount or vote against it.

What happens to keeping our current service and current levy amount?

I don’t believe that a yes or no vote is really a gauge as to what the people want.

Why does the South Kitsap Fire and Rescue have to resort to this type of decision-making by the voters? I believe they should have run a survey prior to deciding on an either or vote.

But maybe, just maybe, they wanted to elicit a scare tactic on the cash-starved taxpayer by saying emergency response would be almost non-existent if they decided to vote against the increased levy.

I’m one voter and taxpayer who will not succumb to this type of levy pressure.

If they want the feelings of the voters, then get out there and get it. Don’t use the levy system to do the job that they should have done before establishing a levy rate.

DAVE DAHLKE

Port Orchard

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