Fire protection is well worth the levy's cost

I was dismayed to read the letter from the Bonner County Republican Women’s board members urging voters to vote no on the upcoming fire district levies.

They claimed that our fear shouldn’t be a driver when making our decision. I think every one of us has a certain amount of fear that she might lose her home in a fire (Did I turn off that burner?) or that the entire neighborhood might go up in flames in a brush/forest fire. (Is my burn pile completely out?) That fear may increase in knowing that there aren’t enough firemen to man the local stations or that the being canceled because you live in a fire zone and your fire service isn’t up to par. I live in Selle Valley, and that happened to me.

For the past 20 years, I have paid approximately $70/year for Northside Fire. That’s a good deal in comparison to the home insurance, which is well over $2,000/year. I see the fire district as another insurance. With luck, I’ll never need either of those, but if I do, I want my fire district and EMT to be well staffed and equipped; I want my home insurance to fully insure my losses, and I’m willing to pay for both.

If the levy fails, I’m fairly sure that home insurance will go up … or away, and my fire district will do its best to serve me in spite of deficiencies. These are the reasons I’m voting yes for the Northside Fire District levy May 20.

SHERRY ENNIS

Selle Valley