Editor:
I have never written a letter to the editor, but as a Montezuma County resident since 1969, I feel compelled to make some comments concerning G.W. McCutcheons letter printed in the Journal on Saturday, March 17.
The duties of the fire protection district have changed since it originated over 100 years ago. The residents in our community are currently largely retired people, thus the need for the fire department to have well-trained firefighters/EMTs, paramedics on duty 24/7. Also, I have done some research concerning operating the large fire truck. The drivers must be certified to operate a truck by a qualified instructor, otherwise in case of an accident where the fire truck were to be involved in a fatal crash, the fire department would be liable.
Personally, I feel more comfortable knowing the fire department is currently known as first responders and have recently been averaging 8 minutes per call outside the city limits. They also are averaging 4 minutes per call inside the city limits. This kind of response was not and could not happen with strictly volunteer firemen.
I certainly am not knocking the volunteers as they have all done the best they could, but times have changed, and I feel it is important for the needed mill levy to pass. It does not raise the average household taxes enough that you will even notice it. A $150,000 market value home would only increase our taxes by $41.79 a year. You can go to the fire department and ask for yourself, as I did.
Deanne Acott
Cortez