DC resident voices his support
The following letter to the editor was posted on 6-2-09 in the Scranton Times
Editor: I was not shocked that some Dickson City residents are not supporting the volunteer fire department.
When residents voted in 2007 to raise taxes to pay for a much-needed, new fire truck, I saw what was going to happen with some in our community. They figured that since they are paying taxes for the new truck they do not have to contribute to the fire company to maintain its equipment and training.
Dickson City has one of the finest volunteer fire companies in the state, if not the nation. These volunteers risk their lives and give up valuable family time to protect our residents. They don't complain but they get a lot of grief. If only there were no fires, we would not need them or any other volunteer emergency agency.
To maintain equipment they must do a lot of fundraising. This is not an easy task. Yet, every year the annual envelope drive goes out and only a few are returned. Even most of the big stores are like many of our residents. The attitude is since they pay taxes, they don't have to support the fire department.
Last month council voted to study the cost of operating a paid fire department. That would include full-time firefighters with benefits and the borough being responsible for all the equipment, including the trucks and anything else needed.
Dickson City lost a golf course. Is it going to lose an A-1 volunteer fire department, too? Quit shooting yourself in the foot and support your fire and even ambulance companies. You should be proud of what we have and hope you never have to need them.
RICHARD BYRON
taken from scrantontimes.com
