There were far more people at the Community Services District (CSD) board meeting last night than usual and the overwhelming sentiment was yes, we want to keep our PD. That said, what the board finally voted on seemed confusing to many, including this writer.
There were three issues / resolutions to be decided: have a non-binding 'advisory' vote on the November ballot to keep the PD or look into other options; disband the PD and spend existing dues on other means of protecting public safety; and finally, should we raise the assessment for the PD from $65 to $97 per parcel per year?
The first two failed to pass but the last one did, 3 to 2. So there will be one measure on the November ballot not three. This reflected the attitude of the 30+ audience and by far most spoke up in favor of keeping the department. Probably one of the most compelling arguments voiced was that although the Citizens Task Force showed very few calls for law enforcement that may in fact have been because the police are here in the first place. Our rate of crime is so low in other words, because we have a police department to prevent it. Sort of like the ounce of prevention idea. Many in the audience felt that if we gave it up and relied on the Sheriff crime would move in to our community.
Following on this idea a 40 year law enforcement veteran said that other communities that had given up their PD's were sorry they did. He went on to reinforce the opinion that having a PD in the first place was a major reason our crime rate is so low. Interestingly, there seemed to be a large share of retired law enforcement in the audience who not only spoke to this point but picked Lake Shastina to retire to.
Another question brought up by the audience was since we pay for protection by the Sheriff already in our taxes, why would we need to pay again for the same thing? As one person put it, in fact shouldn't the county refund what we pay now since we have our own PD and aren't using their services?
Anyway, a powerful meeting indeed. I hope each of you turn out to express your feelings not only on the November ballot but at the next two town hall meetings in September and October. I'll post times and dates as we get closer. This is and important decision folks, and we need to make ourselves heard.
Editor
1 comment:
I've also noticed this tendancy of hummers to chase off other birds. But a few years back, in Three Rivers, CA we visited a restuarant by the river that had a bunch of feeders outside the windows. Many hummers were feeding there at the same time without any battles being waged. Go figure!!
Jim C
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