There are several comments to be made regarding the Central Whidbey Fire Districts new levy increase. First, Central Whidbey is comprised of many retired senior citizens, I being one of them, if they do not have a comfy government pension they are depending on their savings to supplement their living expenses. The interest income on those savings at this point is practically non- existent.

Now you want to increase their property taxes by  $0.34 per thousand when they are already paying  $1 per thousand. My $53,000 property is now valued at $600,000 by the county, which means my fire district assessment will increase from $600 per year to $800 per year. I love our fire department, however when the fire assessment exceeds the homeowner’s insurance I begin to wonder where we are going.

I want fire protection, however I want to know why it is so expensive, is there slush in the system, can we be more efficient, can we be diligent on how we disburse our funds? Government is growing and it is getting harder and taking longer to get anything done. I hope this levy passes, but I wonder where it will all end.

Dick Johnson
Coupeville