Education is key to paramedic status
I was in attendance at the county commissioners. meeting on July 7 and I must point out a few things that I noticed that need addressed. First in response to Mr. Phillips statement that the only difference in EMTs and paramedics is the ability to administer narcotics shows that he obviously has no EMS experience.
EMTs spend 110 hours in a classroom, paramedics spend over 1,200 plus hundreds of hours of time in the hospital and on ambulances mastering advanced airway, patient assessment skills, medication administration (besides narcotics) and IV therapy.
He also made note that he was the first one on scene on a call that was questioned during the meeting when someone made the observation that Sagle fire did not have enough personnel as it was to respond to the call. What he neglected to mention was the fact that his only action on that scene was to hold the cot for the paramedics. The discussions at the meeting were heated and with good reason, the paramedics in service in.
Bonner County are the best we have ever had or could ever hope to have, they take great pride in what they do and the commissioners simply will not listen to the facts. The fact is that the Bonner County commissioners have the power to enact an ambulance district with taxation to support it. With the amount of taxes already placed on the citizens of Bonner County it only makes sense to add on the tax to support a life-saving service like our local emergency responders. I cast my vote here and now, that the county supports the services we have now, not invest more money into a system that will not take care of me in my time of need. Let's keep what we have.
CHRISTINE DUHAMEL
Sandpoint
Native grass class offers valuable data
On July 4th weekend, I was privileged to take a ride up Antelope Mountain in the Clark Fork River watershed to a small lake. I took a walk around the lake through a wild forest to look at native grasses in the sunny spots within the trees and on the trail and lakeside. I found a pristine native grass meadow with large old plants. We continued our journey, fording Lightning Creek and going to the Panhandle National Forest and the Cabinet Mountains. My walk around the lake sensitized me to the native grasses on the side of the road and a glorious bunchgrass and lupine meadow on Lunch Peak.
Rapid Lightning Integrated Weed Management Project is sponsoring a free all-day native grass seminar with a local biologist on Thursday, July 15, at 9 a.m. at Lois Wythe's Studio on Lower Pack River Road and in the field. Due to the postponement of the seminar, we have lost several people in our 12-member group and could accommodate someone who would like to learn about and identify by name the native grasses that are growing in our area. If you register, you will be asked to bring grass samples from your property or surrounds and information on each specimen, such as elevation, surrounding plants, light level, etc., and to bring your own lunch.
MERLA BARBERIE
Sandpoint
Cap is needed on outrageous taxes
Christmas in June?? That is what our county officials must have thought when notified property values had increased more than 20 percent, due to the crazy real estate market. That means taxes will increase 20 percent also, as the millage rate never changes. How do we put a stop to this taxation increase? (One we can't vote on/)
I have talked to our legislators about this problem, and it seems like there are two choices.
One is to have legislation (in Boise) cap the amount of increase. Our legislators are aware of the problem and Rep. George Eskridge, along with others, have introduced House Bill 781.
This bill would cap existing valuations, and limit increases to 3 percent per year. They need our support, as county governments are generally opposed. We even may be able to reduce numbers in the assessors office if this passes.
Two is to go the initiative route. I have informed our legislators I am prepared to lead that kind of an effort if they fail in the coming session.
My proposal would cap exisiting valuations until the property is sold, at which time a new cap would be established. Taxes would then increase only through special levees, plus the annual inflation rate.
Our taxes have increased more than five times since we bought. Our income hasn't followed the same route. Our system of taxation has to be changed. Will it be by legislative action or by initiative? I hope the legislators do their job, if not I will need your help. Let's change things …
JERRY STERN
Sagle