Letter to the editor: Warren Appleton
Jan. 27, 2022
Why back-to-back levies? Know the facts!
1. Regarding the failed November 2021 Fire/EMS levy proposal. The Citizens Advisory Group recommended integration of EMS and Fire, including eight “absolute conditions” for integration. Fire accepted two of those absolute conditions and dismissed the others. In addition, Fire had not met all of the conditions agreed to in the Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies. Despite that, Fire went ahead and put a levy of $0.50/$1000 on the November ballot to allow them to take over EMS. The voters wisely rejected it. In that failed attempt Fire did not present a proposed budget outlining how our money would be spent, nor explain how the current front-line dedicated paramedics (4, soon to be 5) and 23 EMTs would be merged into a combined service, nor how assets would be transferred. Not one word.
2. Regarding the EMS levy proposed on the February 8, 2022 ballot. The Public Hospital District (PHD/EMS), long time provider of basic and advanced life support emergency services, asks your continued support for a maximum $0.45/$1,000 valuation levy. This levy amount is necessary to fund the increased cost of current work/supplies and allows for long term planning. The budget is available at the PHD website.
3. Voter’s Guide Statement opposing the current PHD/EMS levy proposal. I find it contains half-truths and fabrications in an attempt to create public mistrust of the current PHD Board and its dedicated employees. Two of multiple examples: Paragraph #4, “lost 2 chiefs” is a classic out-of-context innuendo. Fact: Chief #1 was an internal interim appointee. He was guaranteed his prior EMS job if his interim appointment was ended. Months later the newly elected and current PHD Board, through the PHD superintendent, evaluated PHD business operations, using state-of-the-art “lean” type of analysis. Finding: The substantive work assigned to the ‘chief’ position was redundant to work performed by others. Thus the ‘interim chief’ position was eliminated as redundant. The employee declined to accept his previous job when it was offered. Chief #2 is the respected former PHD superintendent. Following the death of her only on island relative and at retirement age she moved closer to her family in Texas. The current PHD acting administrator is well qualified for the business, planning and auditing side of operations and communicates with the quality side frequently.
4. Fact: Quality assurance is best handled by the current ALS paramedic team (over 70 years of on-SJI first responder experience) coupled with exceptional leadership by the independent county medical director. Financial oversight/budgeting is best handled through the PHD administrative office with further certification by the independent county auditor
5. Fact: PHD/EMS is properly staffed in the office and the field. A current EMS EMT is attending the 10-month Paramedic Academy and will return to EMS in June. This will allow a reduction in overtime, more robust back-up, and standardization of full overnight-in-house staffing.
I will vote yes on the PHD/EMS levy on the ballot and encourage you to do the same.
Warren Appleton MD, JD
Former PHD Board Member