Letters to the Editor

Editor's Note: Due to the volume of letters concerning the Midway Proposed Tax Referendum and the amount of space available to editorial items, not all letters received could be published before the vote Jan. 29. Additionally, some were received after deadline for the Jan. 24 issue. Former Midway Fire Commissioners oppose tax

In 2002, the Midway Fire Department was budgeted with a millage rate of .95 mils. With this millage rate, the department built two new fire stations and progressed from a volunteer department to a fully paid, 24/7 staffed operation, still operating within budget.

An increase in millage rate to 1.45 and increases in property values brought on by hurricane Ivan caused the budget to soar, and the Midway Fire Department commissioners and administrators learned to more than spend every penny of it.

In a time when property values have been decreasing and there is much negative pressure on the economy, MFD has continued to spend without restraint. They have added redundant services that are provided by other agencies in the area, purchased new vehicles and property for a third fire station on Highway 98. We fully support our firefighters. We cannot support the proposed fee and concurrent ad valorem tax which has the potential to double their revenue. We will vote NO!

Brad and Betty Braddock

Bill McCortney

John Adams

Former Midway FD

Commissioners

Firefighter funding in jeopardy

I represent the 29 professional firefighters of the Midway Fire District. We responded to 2,052 emergency calls last year involving fire suppression, paramedic response, rope and technical rescue, hazardous materials, and many others types of calls.

However our current system of funding is in jeopardy and we need our community's support! Our District is 98 percent funded on ad valorem taxes, which is based on property values. With the drastic decrease in property values throughout the community, Midway Fire District is faced with laying off up to 18 firefighters and closing one fire station. On Jan. 29,

Midway Firefighters [asked] our residents to support a fire assessment fee which would reform our current ad valorem system. Along with stabilizing current funding, this new system would also offer a savings to the homeowner. The District's fire protection rating was reevaluated in December 2007. This protection rating is what most insurance companies use to determine rates, and Midway Fire District's rating improved dramatically.

But if the community doesn't support us on Jan. 29 and personnel are reduced, then that rating will worsen and homeowners will notice a drastic increase in their insurance rates.

Lou Jones

Gulf Breeze

Fire Department saved me $400

Although I'm a resident of Escambia County, the Midway Fire Assessment issue caught my attention. For those wondering about it saving or costing them money personally, consider this:

When I renewed my homeowner's insurance, I obtained quotes from several insurers. Three varied by a few bucks annually, one was $400 less annually. Apparently the lower premium was based on the rating of my district's fire department (on a scale of 1 - 10, with a 1 being the highest). The higher quoting companies were applying my home to an adjacent district with a lower rating.

What does ISO mean? Beats me. But I did learn that the Midway Fire District has an ISO rating of 5. Ask your insurer how your premiums would be effected if Midway's rating was lowered to, say, an 8. My district's higher rating DECREASED my potential annual insurance premium by $400. My fire department SAVED me $400 this year.

If the assessment is not approved, Midway Fire loses funds and will lose more than half of its staff, thereby lowering it's ISO rating. A lower ISO rating WILL increase your insurance premium. In my case, a lower rating would have flat-out COST me $400.00 per year.

Holly Pitts

Escambia County

MFD should tighten the belt

I certainly understand MFD wanting to expand their stations and personnel to meet the needs of our community. However, everyone is going through the same economic tough times. As a high school teacher, I know our county has had budget cutbacks in the millions of dollars. We will layoff approximately 10-15 teachers for the coming school year. For some firefighters to insinuate 911 calls may go unanswered is very unethical. Do you think the taxpayers are intimidated by these threats? Should 911 calls go unanswered, I fear you are going to have a lot more to worry about than new stations and personnel, when you and the county are hauled into court. Imagine the reaction if I, as a teacher, notified a parent I could not get to their child's education today, due to lack of teachers and funding.

Tighten your belts Midway. All of us are in the same economic boat.

Victor L. Strozier

Gulf Breeze High School

Thanks for the coverage

Thank you to Gulf Breeze News for the wonderful coverage of our GBHS Wrestling tournament in last week's issue!

Maria Weisnicht

Gulf Breeze