Ambulance district adds up for residents

Last fall, Big Sky told Sagle Fire they had been harmed by Sagle Fire District ambulance service back in 1997, when Big Sky left Montana for Idaho.

Big Sky filed suit against Sagle Fire District, but would be willing to drop the suit if Sagle discontinued ambulance service.

However, they expected the district to continue to be the first responder to "911" EMS call outs and would only be involved in emergencies if transport was needed (the situation where there was cash revenue from the victim).

The Sagle informed Big Sky they would be willing to drop ambulance service if Big Sky would assure they would provide the transport service as long as they remained in business in Bonner County to which Big Sky said they would.

Sagle Fire District dropped its state license to transport, sold off two district ambulances and equipment.

Sagle was notified a week ago that Big Sky will no longer provide ambulance service to them after July 31 contrary to earlier assurances.

Big Sky is also dropping other areas of the county outside of the city of Sandpoint

Now Big Sky has also petitioned the county to form a taxing district amounting to government subsidizing a "for profit businesses at taxpayer expense.

From the petitions I've seen, and will not sign, a home valued at $150,000 could be taxed about $65 per year. According to the petition: 0.4 percent, or just under half of 1 percent.

LAWRENCE FURY

Sandpoint