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Stacy residents tell leaders what you want in a fire department

TO THE EDITOR:
Approximately 25 years ago, Lent Township was looking for a way to give itís residents fire protection. They turned to the city of Stacy for assistance, for they already had an established fire department of their own.
In their wisdom and generosity, the leaders of Stacy reached out their hand in friendship. They worked out an arrangement with Lent where each would have one vote in how the department would be run. A financial formula based on population and tax base was set up. That way residents with the same property value would play close to the same amount for fire protection. This was seen as such a good formula, many joint powers have copied it since.
Approximately five years later, it was decided a new fire hall was needed. Once again, the city of Stacy stepped up and built a new fire hall, because they were more financially able to at the time. No rent has ever charged to the fire dept.
The fire dept. has grown and became second to none in the area.
As time passed, Lent grew faster than Stacy and the financial responsibility went to approximately 70/ 30 for Lent. It is at this point, the leadership of Lent no longer felt that one vote each was acceptable. They started to give the appearance they wanted to take over the dept.
The story of Lent buying property in Stacy for their new fire hall is well known. Also the fact they cannot afford it on their own is apparent with all their requests for aid from the county. First in a reduction for the building permit fee. Then the request for aid through the department that helps small businesses.
Let Lent have their department where traffic is backed up for a mile in both directions on holidays, some weekends, or when anything happens on the freeway.
Well as the saying goes, ìno good deed goes unpunished.î Itís time for the leadership and resident of Stacy to once again step up and start over. I am not willing to pay more in taxes so Lent can dictate to us what we will pay for fire protection. Stacy didnít do that. Stacy owns approximately 30 percent of the present equipment, and a fire hall. We need to start to put together a Stacy Fire Department again. I will be the first to sign up for the return on that department both financially and as a member.
I only hope, that the Stacy leadership remembers that they are supposed to be looking out for the good of Stacy, not Lent or anyone else. That they have the courage and strength to do the right thing and not sell the people that voted them into office down the river of taxation without representation.
Please tell your community leader what you want.

James Ness
Stacy

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