Letter to the Editor, News-Herald, Saturday, October 24, 2020. Unedited submittal.
Vote NO on fire Issue 1, the rest of the story
As a 26-year Concord Resident I recently retired from Perry Nuclear after 37 years holding positions as a licensed operator, training instructor, fire brigade leader, and emergency responder. I became interested in the Concord Fire Station planning and financing. I attended a planning meeting in February and two of the three stakeholder meetings held this summer. Despite concerned citizen feedback given to the Trustees at these and other meetings, they have chosen to put an unnecessary tax burden on the citizens of Concord AGAIN by outwardly supporting Issue 1, the 8 million, 26-year levy.
In violation of Ohio Revised Code 9.03, the Trustees have misused taxpayer money by actively supporting the passage of Issue 1. They used the township newsletter “Grapevine” as well as the electronic version sending a hard copy to every resident, heavily promoting their stance at meetings and their website as well. Opposition to this plan has been muzzled by the Township as no other financial planning options were ever discussed or shared in township communications. Basically, it was their way, or the highway.
The “newly planned” stations are still excessive despite the meetings and feedback given. The Trustees came up with essentially the same size and priced stations that were presented and failed last November when 65% of the voters said NO to that tax increase. I doubt voters were looking for the same levy again this year.
The Trustees can and should secure financing now to build both stations WITHOUT raising taxes. To reduce the financial burden, they need to significantly reduce the size and cost of their expensive stations. More importantly, the Trustees should embrace the loudest outcry of disregarded residents to build the neediest station 2 on Prouty road first.
Jobs have been lost; businesses are struggling to stay afloat. Concord has 2.5 million dollars on hand NOW to get started and can quickly secure financing without raising taxes.
The first responders have waited long enough!
I strongly encourage Concord residents to VOTE NO on Issue 1. Send a clear message to our Trustees that we demand new stations without adding new taxes.
Michael McCullough, Concord Township