A 'yes' vote on fire levies is the right call

As a resident of the Sagle fire district for the past 25 years, and a lifelong common-sense conservative, I encourage residents to vote in favor of the fire levy May 20.

The National Interagency Fire Center, like past years, is forecasting extreme fire danger for the upcoming summer and fall months in North Idaho. The threat is real. Combine wildfire, high temperature and wind in the late fall and you have a recipe for catastrophic loss of property. Residents of eastern Washington, eastern Oregon and northern California have suffered incredible loss of property and forests lands over the past years. Let’s not add North Idaho to this list.

The Sagle fire district has never asked the community for a levy override. Bonner County's fire districts are all understaffed, and their aging fire engines need replacement. Adequate staffing and up-to-date equipment are vital to keeping residential insurance rates reasonable.   

The Bottle Bay fire station is staffed with one volunteer and when the station was constructed several years ago, my home insurance was reduced by $300 per year because it was adequately located and staffed. I can only assume that if insurance companies figure out the actual unsatisfactory condition of Bonner County fire services, rates will exceed the requested levy amounts. I am willing to pay an extra $200 per year on my $500,000 home for acceptable services. Do your own research, talk with local fire officials about the current condition, needs and disregard the BCRCC’s recommended no vote May 20. 

ANTHONY McDERMOTT

Sagle