As we all know, any natural disaster that comes our way can be devastating. The disaster that is headed our way is not natural, but possibly human caused. Human caused in that a failure to pass the CSA 3 could have far reaching ramifications that could turn this area into a third world county. Think of it…if it becomes nearly impossible to get affordable homeowner insurance, that means no mortgaging of any kind, no home building, no home sales, no new businesses and no tourists. Highway 140? That road goes to nowhere!

   As for the few paying for all? Not necessarily true. Renters will pay their share if the land lord passes the expense on to their tenants. The sad part is that if everyone who pays the $80 had that kind of attitude, they won't worry about their neighbor's house. Is yours the only one that should be saved? Definitely not! In a fire, every house is a potential hazard regardless of who paid and who didn't. When that pager goes off at 2 a.m. the volunteers aren’t thinking about such things.

   There has also been a concern voiced about why only developed properties would be assessed. That is a simple matter of who is mainly responsible for what. Although mutual aid is rendered in fire as well as medical calls, undeveloped land is considered wild land and is primarily the responsibility of CalFire. The national forest is U.S. Forest Service, and structures are County Fire. Thus, there is a direct connection to the assessment.

   The state is also planning on setting up a secure funding stream to enhance its firefighting capabilities. Very little of it will affect the county fire department as it is mainly directed at the state level during fire season.

   One last thing the CSA is about is medical assistance. Maybe your house will never catch fire, or maybe there will never be a wildfire, but almost assuredly many of us will be involved in some kind of medical emergency at some point, be it a health issue or an accident. This county can't afford to contract to other agencies such as CalFire. They require full time paid staffing at each fire station along with equipment.

     Please, please, please if you haven't already voted on CSA 3 get educated on these issues!

Lorie Setterberg