I pity the people who live in the VFD areas where stations are closed/being closed. I am glad I live in the county where we decide by levy vote on the operations of fire districts. My wife aspirated on Aug 21 of this year. Consequently she suffered an oxy injury and a double stroke due to the loss of oxygen. If it weren't for the quick response of Fire District 6 and AMR, she may very well have died. They arrived within two minutes of our call to 911. It is fortunate that I am trained in CPR/First Aid and was a lifeguard for many years on the beaches of Southern California and am a current CERT team member, so my training also helped in this situation. If you don't think having a fire station nearby is important and if you don't think your firefighters deserve great pay, you are mistaken.
As a reminder, please get your ballot in so that your vote will help shape our representation. These votes all count as opposed to the Presidential election which is controlled by two parties through the ridiculous electoral college. Even if you don't care for anyone running for a position, fill in the write-in (even with your own name or that of someone you feel is better qualified). Don't vote for someone just because of the rhetoric and propaganda that's being spread. As far as the initiatives, research them and think them through. For example, the PAC's are very heavily involved in these and so is our state government. There is always a trade-off for the unions and other PAC's. Ironically the two major parties always blast each other and other parties for accepting funding from PAC's and that their legislative, congressional and senate votes are tainted by payback favors. It is true and keep in mind, they all do it. The unions are the biggest PAC's in this country and for their efforts they are well rewarded and without having the Mafia control them anymore, they are every bit as dangerous and useless. Many union members are finally realizing that the union is nothing what it is made up to be. The biggest union in the state of Washington that holds us hostage is the WEA, followed by other government employee unions, etc...Think hard about why they do or don't support certain bills and what the benefit to them is.
Again, vote but vote informed. Look at where your money is going.
In reading about the Assessor's office and software program issues, the public needs to be aware of the same issue with the Treasurer's Office. As Doug Lasher will be quick to point out, most incumbent Treasurer's are rarely challenged, let alone not re-elected. Perhaps more property owners should spend a little time in the County Services building at 1300 Franklin. They would see how frustrating it is at times to sit and wait for 20 minutes or so, to get assistance. Another item of irritation is that the title companies receive preferential treatment, by order of Mr. Lasher. I have gone rounds with him about this, many times. In my eyes and according to many others, we see it that no taxpayer should have preference over another, it's first come first serve. Remember to vot but vote informed. His software, like that of the assessor's had bugs too. The additional charges cost enough to support at least two full time employee jobs so customers would receive better service.
I have offered suggestions to many of your elected officials to generate the revenue they crave so much. But not from those of us in WA being gouged by our own government. Why is it the easy solutions have to become convoluted by our elected officials. For example, do you realize that over 25% of government employees in Clark County (State, County, Local, Schools, etc...) live out of the county, mostly in Oregon? Since the majority of funding for these positions comes from within our county through property and business taxes, it means that these employees not only do not recycle the tax dollar that pays their wage but it subsidizes Oregon with our tax dollars. I don't see why residency can't be a requirement of employment for these government jobs or at least an employment fee for the privilege of working over here. They are taking jobs from qualified residents and money from our budgets.
I pity the people who live in the VFD areas where stations are closed/being closed. I am glad I live in the county where we decide by levy vote on the operations of fire districts. My wife aspirated on Aug 21 of this year. Consequently she suffered an oxy injury and a double stroke due to the loss of oxygen. If it weren't for the quick response of Fire District 6 and AMR, she may very well have died. They arrived within two minutes of our call to 911. It is fortunate that I am trained in CPR/First Aid and was a lifeguard for many years on the beaches of Southern California and am a current CERT team member, so my training also helped in this situation. If you don't think having a fire station nearby is important and if you don't think your firefighters deserve great pay, you are mistaken.
ServerBruce — September 26, 2010 at 8:33 p.m. ( reply | permalink | suggest removal )
As a reminder, please get your ballot in so that your vote will help shape our representation. These votes all count as opposed to the Presidential election which is controlled by two parties through the ridiculous electoral college. Even if you don't care for anyone running for a position, fill in the write-in (even with your own name or that of someone you feel is better qualified). Don't vote for someone just because of the rhetoric and propaganda that's being spread. As far as the initiatives, research them and think them through. For example, the PAC's are very heavily involved in these and so is our state government. There is always a trade-off for the unions and other PAC's. Ironically the two major parties always blast each other and other parties for accepting funding from PAC's and that their legislative, congressional and senate votes are tainted by payback favors. It is true and keep in mind, they all do it. The unions are the biggest PAC's in this country and for their efforts they are well rewarded and without having the Mafia control them anymore, they are every bit as dangerous and useless. Many union members are finally realizing that the union is nothing what it is made up to be. The biggest union in the state of Washington that holds us hostage is the WEA, followed by other government employee unions, etc...Think hard about why they do or don't support certain bills and what the benefit to them is.
Again, vote but vote informed. Look at where your money is going.
ServerBruce — October 24, 2010 at 1:26 p.m. ( reply | permalink | suggest removal )
In reading about the Assessor's office and software program issues, the public needs to be aware of the same issue with the Treasurer's Office. As Doug Lasher will be quick to point out, most incumbent Treasurer's are rarely challenged, let alone not re-elected. Perhaps more property owners should spend a little time in the County Services building at 1300 Franklin. They would see how frustrating it is at times to sit and wait for 20 minutes or so, to get assistance. Another item of irritation is that the title companies receive preferential treatment, by order of Mr. Lasher. I have gone rounds with him about this, many times. In my eyes and according to many others, we see it that no taxpayer should have preference over another, it's first come first serve. Remember to vot but vote informed. His software, like that of the assessor's had bugs too. The additional charges cost enough to support at least two full time employee jobs so customers would receive better service.
ServerBruce — October 24, 2010 at 1:37 p.m. ( reply | permalink | suggest removal )
I have offered suggestions to many of your elected officials to generate the revenue they crave so much. But not from those of us in WA being gouged by our own government. Why is it the easy solutions have to become convoluted by our elected officials. For example, do you realize that over 25% of government employees in Clark County (State, County, Local, Schools, etc...) live out of the county, mostly in Oregon? Since the majority of funding for these positions comes from within our county through property and business taxes, it means that these employees not only do not recycle the tax dollar that pays their wage but it subsidizes Oregon with our tax dollars. I don't see why residency can't be a requirement of employment for these government jobs or at least an employment fee for the privilege of working over here. They are taking jobs from qualified residents and money from our budgets.
ServerBruce — October 24, 2010 at 1:54 p.m. ( reply | permalink | suggest removal )
We've served at the fire location and we always send two servers, safety first.
ServerBruce — November 27, 2010 at 10 p.m. ( reply | permalink | suggest removal )