If there is one person we trust to keep a lookout for the Taxpayers Of Pima County, it is, without doubt, our friend Mary Schuh.
Mary puts out the monthly newsletter on behalf of Pima Association of Taxpayers http://www.pimaassociationoftaxpayers.com/Join%20Pat.htm
Mary gave us permission to post the list of questions she has concerning the announcement of talks between NWFD & GRFD. It behooves all of us to read the list.
Art
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There are those who do not understand the concerns about the Special Board meeting and agenda for the Northwest Fire District Governing Board called for November 30, 6 pm, at the Wade Road Training Center, Marana.
**The agenda was being sent for notice just before 4 pm on November 25: the eve before a major holiday and holiday weekend. Timing is always questionable for such behavior?
The agenda for a Special Meeting is usually used for an Emergency item? So what is the emergency here?
The agenda lists a TWO BOARD MEETING to be set. Is that the one rumored to be DECEMBER 4 up in Oro Valley area? But there doesn’t seem to be an Emergency of Golder Ranch Board yet posted upon last check of their website? So when are they, or did they, agree with a quorum on this status? Which board members of each group have been involved behind the scenes planning this—if other board members knew how were they told and when?
In fact, checking agendas of the last board meetings for each of those entities when was this subject discussed—on what agenda and when? November 17 meeting for NWFD board had no such item with discussion and board direction to the Chief or personnel to begin talks about such a plan. Golder Ranch meeting November 20 had no such item or board direction to have such discussion.
SO WHEN DID THESE DISCUSSIONS HAPPEN? Who was present? How many board members? When did they vote, with a quorum, in public, to proceed to put this into an agenda item? Why is Golder Ranch, in the process of hiring a new chief with Chief John Fink’s retirement looming, involving itself in such a thing? Why is Chief Fink involved since he is retiring?
Who is absorbing whom? Whose board would prevail? Why is this necessary? Whose debt needs to be absorbed? Whose growth to be paid for? Who will keep their job? Who has the fiscal woes and needs shoring up? NWFD board meetings have heard time and time again from the Chief and cohorts that they need to find new revenue sources and “we need the money” when applying for grants.
If the usual blather about Economy of Scale comes up—have four words for that: Tucson Unified School District! Economy of Scale propaganda rhetoric went out with high button shoes. It cannot even be debated seriously when applied to out of control growth and loaded fiscal personnel and benefit obligation organizations, especially with unions involved and entitlement cultures.
Picture Rocks Fire District broke off talks with NWFD as they wanted to keep their CON (Certificate of Necessity) which is for ambulances. Their tax rate is $3.25/$100 and they saw no advantage of absorbing NWFD fiscal irresponsibility in greed not need or losing their boundaries and independence.
So WHY THE SUDDEN RUSH TO THESE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE HOLIDAYS? Well, they hope everyone is too busy to read the statutes on merger and consolidation and what can happen to you. Golder Ranch is supposed to have made an agreement through Oro Valley and went out to people to sign annexation petitions as their fire service. It would appear there is no honor in their promises if they can betray you in this manner?
NWFD has always had a problem with the truth and money management, programs and personnel overload. That is no secret to anyone.
So WHO STARTED THIS? WHO WANTS IT? AND HOW WERE THESE MEETINGS ARRANGED PRIOR TO THIS SPECIAL MEETING?
THIS IS NOT GOOD AND WHEN YOU READ THOSE STATUTES YOU WILL FIND OUT JUST HOW BAD IT CAN BE!!! MSchuh
