In 2016 the City purchased land for a new fire station, claiming it was urgent. Now, almost a decade later, the station may be built – if JEDCO provides the funding.
Tuesday nights “debate” over the station was another example of government gone wrong.
The current station was built in the 1950s – to say it needs a little work is an understatement. The roof leaks. It doesn’t have any water. The bays are barely wide enough for the trucks. The doors keep getting hit while trying to back the trucks into the bays. It’s a no-brainer we need a new station.
The first proposal was over the top at $1.2 million. Victor Perot provided a more reasonable option at $400,000 – but that was still too much for our Mayor. And yet she wants to spend an undisclosed amount to get more specifications for a new City Hall.
Patricia Finstrom was an embarrassment, again, on Tuesday cutting of Perot to ask questions like “Can’t you back up a truck by now?”
She was focused on a new City Hall instead. She’s all about saving money, but public safety is not the place to demand cuts in favor of offices.
JEDCO should fund the station, and they can. They won’t debate it or make the City look like children fighting over which shiny toy to play with. But that’ll be $400k less money to encourage business growth.
We need both, but it’s the City’s own fault as they’ve failed to do maintenance on both buildings over the years. Citizens are now paying the price.
But what’s more disturbing is the attitude and disrespect shown to volunteers that work for the betterment of the City.
Finstrom demands people listen to her and let her finish her statements, but she doesn’t return the respect to people to spend their time at the meetings. She needs to save her comments until a presenter is finished – and then be respectful in asking questions.
We saw 23 minutes of debate and belittlement of volunteer work, instead of moving forward.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll probably say it again: Do Better.