Dear Editor,
I’ve noticed a lot of signs around town from someone apparently running for a town fire commissioner position. It has a ban 20 percent logo and a “too too much” statement.
I hope the person doesn’t think that the 20 percent can be eliminated easily.
Voters need to understand that it is NOT a result of the proposed new fire station; so eliminating that would not change the tax increase. In fact, if the current commissioners were correct, eliminating the proposed new Campville station and reverting to a contract with the Owego Fire Department would increase costs even more.
Understand that it is due to the Campville Fire Department losing a significant revenue source, which now needs to be replaced. Any attempt to alter the amount Campville is proposing for their contract will most likely result in significant pushback from them, as they certainly don’t want to get into a money-losing situation.
One also needs to understand that the 20 percent tax increase is only on the line “Owego Fire” on your town/county tax bill, not on your total taxes. It’s much less that you might have come to think given the way it has been discussed in various commentaries.
So before casting your ballot please understand that the tax increase in dollars paid is fairly small and the proposed new station is a separate item that is not causing it.
Sincerely,
Richard E. Ives
