Accounting system doesn't need fixing

To The Eagle:

I want to restate what I said at the town council meeting of November 15. The present EMS accounting system was devised and put in place by Mayor Dick Swart and the Cathlamet Fire Department effective January, 2006. The accounting system had the approval of the State Auditor.

Now Mayor Wehrfritz is implementing changes to the current EMS accounting system by terminating my contract and having the Town Clerk-Treasurer perform all accounting duties. He claims for transparency reasons and better financial control, that this change is necessary. I believe his "reasons" are the only way he can justify raiding EMS funds to bridge the budget gap that the Town is facing. My accounting services amounted to $6,000 per year. I've been doing the accounting for 27 years, about seven years with pay. The mayor wants to take $20,000 per year of EMS funds to pay the Clerk-Treasurer for doing the same duties as I now do. I don't know about you but I cannot see better "financial control" by doing this.

The accounting system put into place by Mayor Swart worked and worked well. Now the Clerk-Treasurer will have additional duties added to her already full plate of duties she handles for the Town. I wish you good luck, Tina!

Mayor Wehrfritz wants to make changes to an accounting system established by his predecessor with the State Auditor's approval; I wonder what changes the next mayor and the next mayor will want to make! It's the old saying: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." The present accounting system ain't broke.

As Thanksgiving nears, I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of our firefighters and EMS personnel for the wonderful job you do in our community. You're always there when needed and this town is blessed to have you.

Shirley Rose

Cathlamet