Cox has seen fit to suggest our good friend Phil Richardson was telling lies in our posting
Phil Richardson Attempts To Educate Us On The Cost Of Fire Service In Oro Valley.
If interested, you can read Cox's comments, but it's probably not worth your time.
Phil has seen fit to respond to Cox. I think you'll agree Phil has vast knowledge as it concerns Oro Valley Fire service.
In any case please read what Phil has to say.
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Had Cox not attacked me personally by calling me a liar (I must presume this has happened before, but never before in print), I might have not responded to his slanderous name calling.
For at least another year, according to a 14-page contract between the Rural Metro and Golder Ranch Fire District, Golder Ranch Fire District is not to begin before 2010 an attempt at an annexation into what they refer to as Service Zone 3, which includes the southeast quadrant of Oro Valley.
I have not discussed this matter with the current provider, Rural Metro Corp, with whom I have some issues, not the least of which is their unacceptable increase in charges, and the $200,000 to $300,000 they are paying Golder Ranch Fire District annually during the ongoing "Transition Period."
I have been tough in my questioning of the executive officers of the new Mountain Vista Fire District in regard to their ability to fulfill the provisions of the current Oro Valley Performance Standards and Criteria for Fire Service, and have concluded that by the time the transitional period is concluded, if not before, they will do what Resolution ®07-32, passed and adopted by the Mayor and Council on the 7th day of March, 2007 requires.
For at least another year, Mountain Vista Fire District, immediately to the west of Oro Valley, will be served by fire fighters currently employed by Rural Metro utilizing four fire engines and some collateral equipment that includes a ladder truck. Each engine will be accompanied on every call by four firefighters.
The placement of the Mountain Vista Fire Station nearest to Service Zone 3 is contingent on their being allowed by Oro Valley to attempt an annexation of the area between the south end of Oro Valley and Calle Concordia.
In any event, we will all continue to have superlative fire protection for all of Oro Valley, and throughout all of this, Rural Metro's subsidiary ambulance service, Southwest Ambulance Service, will continue to provide transport and emergency medical service to us when called for anywhere in the "Prettiest Town in the West."
However, we in the Proposed Annexation Area, south of Calle Concordia do not wish to continue to pay for the explosive expansion of Golder Ranch Fire District north of Oro Valley and into Pinal County. We feel that there is a window of opportunity to bring about change.
"When Fire Districts Compete, We all Benefit."
Take Heed Mr. Cox: I am not running for public office, nor am I the kind of "Public Figure" assailed daily in the tabloids and on TV. This will serve as my only warning - I do not make a good victim.
-Phil Richardson
