Northside levy vote was shortsighted

The two dollar bargain for a new Northside Fire District failed, due to lack of the 3,512 of the 3,987 registered voters who did not vote on the levy. What a shame.

Had the levy passed, I wonder if those non-voters would be upset if their fire protection tax increased by another two dollars a month. People spend money for many extra items in their lives every day and think nothing of it. But, to dig up a couple of bucks for your own protection and safety of your home and property would be too much to bare? It might cause one to give up a beer or two, maybe a movie or that snowbird trip next winter, etc., etc. You could blame not passing the levy on the economy. But if your property catches fire, it will still burn, economy or not.

We have lived in this beautiful area for the past 38 years and in that time, lately, there have been seven new homes built within a two-mile radius from our home.

Needless to say, the expanse of the many homes elsewhere in the Northside Fire District that have increased. For two dollars a month, there would have been a 24-7 manned station to answer all calls, emergency or fire, pertaining to response time, and perhaps some new equipment and will be there for any emergency that might happen on the road or your home.

Our dedicated firemen and volunteers could have had us a state-of-the-art fire district for just a measly two bucks more a month on your Northside Fire Department tax.

Think about it.

ERNEST ZUMWALT

Sandpoint