In response to the letter from C. Fick it is very clear you do not have all the facts. Jason Lamar has no intention of raising taxes. Because the volunteers of District 2 are our neighbors and co-workers they should be given the opportunities to hone their skills locally.

It is difficult for these people to get time off from work to attend class out of town. Jason never suggested an expensive facility for training. Training can be effectively achieved right here.

Mr. Fick, every year the Board of Commissioners raise your taxes, it’s called the Implicit Price Deflator. During Commissioner Lamont’s term he has increased duty officer pay, administration pay, maintenance pay and implemented a paid sleeper program (which paves the road for paid firefighters, some may say we already have paid firefighters), however the volunteer firefighters’ small reimbursement for protecting the community has not been raised in two years.

In the forum you attended, did Commissioner Lamont inform you the district hired an architect (which taxpayers paid for), whose opinion was that the number of stations could be reduced but locations of the stations would need to be changed? It appears now, no stations will be eliminated and Lamont now backs a $1.7 million remodel within the city limits of the existing administration building, when the district has fire stations that only have porta-potties? Possibly a new fire station is needed, but in my opinion it belongs in the district, where the taxpayers live.

No one questions the dedication of our volunteers and how blessed we are for the time they give to their community.

I ask for the community’s support in electing Jason Lamar for fire commissioner. He understands the future need of the community is not just saving money, but saving lives of our citizens and firefighters.

George Hiteshew

Firefighter

Oak Harbor