Lakeway Activity Center
Fire Departments Are Charging for Services
RECEIVED Thu., Nov. 12, 2009
Dear Editor,
Concerning fire departments in Texas: There are city ordinances being passed throughout Texas and the rest of the U.S. that require citizens to pay for fire department services. To wit: On the day in question there was a one-car accident that left a car in a ditch. 911 was called and an engine, as well as command and squad vehicles, were called to the scene. They were there for five minutes, took vitals, and left the scene. A charge arrived two weeks later for $1,050 for them showing up on the scene. The on-scene charge was for a minimum of 60 minutes.
My question is: Where are our rights being protected? Insurance companies will take it on as a case-by-case basis to see if people will pay. If not, it’s out of your own pocket. Which begs the question, do I really want to call 911 for help? Is it going to be help or is it a way to pull money out of my pocket? Then it begs the question, where is my money from taxes going? Does it pay for first responders? Or does it pay for big companies that don’t manage their money? Does it pay for my health care? Lots of questions and no answers. Who is helping us? Who is representing us? Taxation without representation (it’s just not called a tax).
If you need more info on this Leander ordinance, it is No. 08-008-00.
Concerning fire departments in Texas: There are city ordinances being passed throughout Texas and the rest of the U.S. that require citizens to pay for fire department services. To wit: On the day in question there was a one-car accident that left a car in a ditch. 911 was called and an engine, as well as command and squad vehicles, were called to the scene. They were there for five minutes, took vitals, and left the scene. A charge arrived two weeks later for $1,050 for them showing up on the scene. The on-scene charge was for a minimum of 60 minutes.
My question is: Where are our rights being protected? Insurance companies will take it on as a case-by-case basis to see if people will pay. If not, it’s out of your own pocket. Which begs the question, do I really want to call 911 for help? Is it going to be help or is it a way to pull money out of my pocket? Then it begs the question, where is my money from taxes going? Does it pay for first responders? Or does it pay for big companies that don’t manage their money? Does it pay for my health care? Lots of questions and no answers. Who is helping us? Who is representing us? Taxation without representation (it’s just not called a tax).
If you need more info on this Leander ordinance, it is No. 08-008-00.
Ryan Crumrine
Abilene
Abilene
