I am quite surprised at what Laurie Dolan wrote.
She says she trusts firefighters and we should too. Well, we do trust them -- to do the jobs they are trained and valued for. But this ballot issue is not about trusting them to do their jobs. It is about financial and organizational structures. That is not their job or expertise.
Lori also cites two "two major problems". Unfortunately, in both cases she is simply wrong.
1. Opponents have NOT claimed that the Regional Fire Authority approach is "untested". Look at the video of the community forum last Wednesday, sponsored by JOLT and the League of Women Voters. Or look at the extensive documentation on the website saveourfd.org.
2. The proposed Fire Benefit Charge IS regressive. Look at the same sources.
We have two well functioning and highly integrated fire departments in Olympia and Tumwater. They coordinate closely with each other and with other departments in their cities such as police, planning, and public works. Olympia and Tumwater have access to additional funding without establishing a new "authority" with its own new set of elected officials and administrative staff.
I say Save Our Fire Departments and let them do their jobs.
Bob Jacobs
Former Mayor, Olympia
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