Support bond for new fire truck

To The Eagle:

I am writing this letter to urge support for the Fire District #4 General Obligation Bond to purchase an upgraded fire truck.

Before my retirement in 2005, I served in District #4 for 26 years and saw first hand the evolution in fire fighting equipment and safety gear. I can say, with certainty, that the expenditures for these improvements paid off for all the area's firefighters and the people served by them. We purchased the existing truck in 1988 and it has served us well for 24 years. This truck has been well maintained and used. Most of us don't keep a pickup or car that long before it starts to nickel and dime us in upkeep and we replace it.

I realize that the economy in our county is not riding high and that supporting this bond will require a sacrifice for many of us. Since most of us don't question the value of the fire and EMT services, the question becomes, "Is it worth the $29 per $100,000 on our property evaluation to support this bond?"

We have all witnessed the destruction caused by fire on people's lives, homes and property. I believe that putting the best equipment we can afford in the hands of those tasked with preventing and fighting fires is worth the sacrifice and will always pay off.

Again, I would urge you to support this bond issue.

John D. Doumit

Cathlamet