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Police & Fire Unions Issue Call for Voters to Pass Safety Levy

SCSmall Police and fire union representatives gathered at South Charleston’s No. 2 Fire Station today to sound the alarm urging voters to pass the safety levy, which appears on the May 11 primary ballot.

The levy is a continuation of the existing levy and requires 60 percent approval to pass. Every vote counts. The levy raises $14.9 million annually for ambulance, bus, fire and police services. Failure of the levy will result in dramatic cutbacks in vital services to our community.

Fire and police officials also reminded voters to be sure to turn over their ballots to vote “FOR” the safety levy. The measure is located on the back.

If the levy fails, we will see a loss in automatic response for vehicle accidents, reduced service in rural areas, a decrease in bus service and transportation for the disabled and a longer response time for 911 calls.

The levy is not a tax increase. Kanawha County households now pay about 14 cents a day to support 22 fire departments that respond first to emergencies, ambulances that respond to 90 percent of calls within eight minutes and transport more than 200 patients every day and buses that pick up thousands of passengers each day.

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admin, May 4th 2010 | Tags: charleston regional chamber of commerce, fire, kanawha county, police, safety levy, south charleston
Posted in safety levy

On May 11, services need voters’ help

This op-ed from Chairman Michael Basile and President Matt Ballard appeared in today’s Charleston Daily Mail.

Basile

On May 11, Kanawha County voters are being asked to make a decision that could literally could mean the difference between life or death for your family – renewing the safety levy.

The safety levy raises $14.9 million yearly for ambulance services, local police and fire departments and the KRT. Failure of the levy would result in loss of automatic response for vehicle accidents, reduced service in rural areas, a decrease in bus service and transportation for the disabled, and a longer response time for 911 calls.

It could also mean that we look to other sources of funding.

Consider the situation in Tracy, Calif., where residents now have to pay every time they call 911. According to New York Times Pulitzer-winning columnist Tom Friedman, “residents can pay a $48 voluntary fee for the year, which allows them to call 911 as many times as necessary. Or there’s the option of not signing up for the annual fee. Instead they will be charged $300 if they make a call for help.”

Ballard

Is this what we want for Kanawha County?

Right now, the average Kanawha County household pays only 14 cents a day to support 22 fire departments that respond first to emergencies, ambulances that respond to 90 percent of calls within eight minutes and transport more than 200 patients every day, and buses that pick up thousands of passengers each day.

These are impressive statistics. They translate to the quickness and efficiency that often mean the difference between life and death.

To ensure that we can maintain these high-quality, life-saving services, our first responders have put out their own 911 call asking area businesses for help in ensuring passage of the levy. Read more…

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admin, April 29th 2010 | Tags: ambulance, charleston regional chamber of commerce, fire, krt, police, safety levy
Posted in safety levy

A Show of Strength for Safety

Levy14 More than 100 first responders, government representatives and business leaders today came together in a show of strength for safety as the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce officially announced its endorsement of the upcoming safety levy.

The levy, which is on the May 11 Kanawha County ballot, is a continuation of the existing levy and requires 60 percent approval to pass. Every vote counts. The levy raises $14.9 million annually for ambulance, bus, fire and police services. Failure of the levy will result in dramatic cutbacks in vital services to our community.

We must not allow this protection plan to fail. If it does, we will see a loss in automatic response for vehicle accidents, reduced service in rural areas, a decrease in bus service and transportation for the disabled and a longer response time for 911 calls.

Levy These are impressive statistics. They translate to the quickness and efficiency that often mean the difference between life and death.

The ambulance, police and fire forces are filled with men and women who make it their duty to protect our friends and families. They are there — for us — 365 days a year.

For just one day — May 11 — they’ll need our help. They’ll need our vote.

Please help us highlight the importance of the levy to our community by joining us at the campaign kick off on April 13.

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