North Kitsap Fire & Rescue’s call for assistance from the public in the form of an Emergency Medical Services levy should be answered members of the North Kitsap Herald Advisory Board agreed Thursday.
The board’s unanimous decision was not only based on NKF&R’s long-standing commitment to the safety and well-being of residents here, but the knowledge that the quality of life to one degree or another depends on EMS.
Anyone who drives through the North End daily can attest that getting from Point A to Point B in anything less than 10 minutes is borderline miraculous. NKF&R crews respond to EMS calls — which comprised about 65 percent of the 2,863 alarms last year — on an average of six minutes. Support of such levies, which come along every six years, is the reason why this is feasible.
The sheer size and breadth of the coverage area, 45 square miles in which approximately 23,000 residents are served, calls for NKF&R to maintain four stations throughout the North End. The stations not only help with response times, they all help keep insurance rates on the lower end for many homeowners. After having their fire rating drop last year, Eglon residents know firsthand that not having NKF&R in their vicinity can adversely impact insurance rates.
At the EMS levy’s 50 cent maximum per $1,000 assessed property valuation, $42.50 a year in taxes would be added to a $250,000 home in 2008. That’s about 12 cents a day. A bargain in our estimation, as less money for NKF&R equates to less personnel, which translates into fewer staffed stations and ultimately higher insurance premiums.
“This funding will go away if we don’t get it,” NKF&R Chief Paul Nichol said. The levy accounts for 19 percent of NKF&R’s operating budget. “Our call volume is up.”
Nichol was quick to point out the public should not confuse the NKF&R levy with the one approved by voters in May backing Poulsbo Fire, explaining, “They don’t overlap, it’s a completely separate issue.”
Despite the North End’s long standing support of NKF&R, every vote is critical on the EMS issue, which requires a supermajority to pass.
Renée Arcement edged out incumbent Dan Delaney in her bid for Director Position 2 on the North Kitsap School District Board.
The advisory board was split in its endorsement, with four members voting for Arcement, two backing Delaney, and one member abstaining.
Delaney, who members of the board said, and “didn’t answer any questions,” seemed to be firmly devoted to education. Even so, Arcement’s passion for the position and desire for change earned her the board’s nod.
“I’m frustrated with the process,” she said.
She seems like she’d be willing to ask the questions and stir the pot, the board agreed. But as one member pointed out, “The more you stir, the more you think, the less you do.”
Even so, the advisory group liked Arcement’s call for more fiscal transparency in the NKSD, but wasn’t sold that she completely understood exactly what the school board’s role entailed.
Arcement, who has been chair of NK Life is Valuable since 2004 and a school volunteer since 1986, said she wants to bring “the community voice back to the board” and move away from what she viewed as rubber stamping decisions that come down the administrative pipe.
Others took issue with the fact that Delaney seemed to be all too willing to go with the flow on such issues, feeling he didn’t challenge positions taken by NKSD Supt. Gene Medina at all.
Delaney, whose background in and commitment to education was impressive, noted that should he be ousted, four-fifths of the elected group would have two years or less experience on the school board. He also has a firm grasp on the school board’s role in the NKSD, pointing out that having directors who infight with a superintendent is counterproductive. In such cases, he asked, “Who suffers? The kids suffer.”
While some on the advisory board agreed Delaney should be able to enjoy the fruits of his labors in helping with the opening of Kingston High School, the majority felt Arcement was the stronger of the two candidates and should replace the incumbent.
