To answer the question in The Arlington’s Times Dec. 20 editorial: Is there a problem? Yes.

Arlington Firefighters, IAFF Local 3728 did send a letter to the City Council, mayor and public safety director just prior to the Nov. 3 election. The letter was not sent to The Arlington Times and was not politically motivated in any way, as our public safety director would suggest.

He did not take the time to address any part of the letter with myself or the Local’s executive board. We did not send the letter to any media outlets in order to make sure there was no political motivation or implications behind it. We felt, and continue to feel, that there are several critical issues within the fire department that need to be addressed.

The Arlington Fire Department has not seen an increase in staffing since 2009 when the city of Arlington took over service to the Smokey Point area. Each time you see a badge pinning at a council meeting it is simply pinning a badge onto a new hire that is replacing a member that has left the Arlington Fire Department to continue their career at a different fire department.

Six members (25 percent of the workforce) have left Arlington over the past two years with several more set to leave in 2016. The medical services administer position was eliminated at the beginning of 2015, leaving no direct oversight within the Emergency Medical Services division.

The Arlington Fire Department will run around 4,800 calls for service this year, with nearly 85 percent of those being EMS related. Call volume has increased over 40 percent in the last six years, with no increase in staffing.

Historically we have conducted all fire and life safety inspections, tested hose and a multitude of other tasks. Those tasks have suffered, so to say that the public’s service has decreased is absolutely true. We are stretched thin, and overall safety is suffering because of that.

Our intention was never to make any of this public, rather to inform the council and mayor of our point of view in order to raise awareness to the ongoing issues.

We are happy to work with the city in order to make the fire department safe, effective and to limit liability. We appreciate the support of the council, mayor and the public. The citizens of Arlington have overwhelmingly supported the fire department for years, and we truly appreciate that support. Our only motivation is to ensure that the citizens have a top-notch fire department that provides the highest level of fire and EMS to the citizens of Arlington.

Greg Koontz, president

Arlington Firefighters, Local 3728

 

 

Arlington schools deserve a yes vote

Arlington Public Schools are one of the true gems of our wonderful, strong community. As such, our schools and the children they serve deserve the continued support of the Arlington community. On Feb. 9 we will have the opportunity to renew the expiring Educational Programs and Operations Levy, and I strongly urge all voters in Arlington to vote YES.

This levy is critical to the continued success and hard work of our schools. It funds 28 percent of the district’s general fund, and the revenue it generates touches students directly in many ways (from curriculum and teaching materials to technology and transportation).

Specifically, in our modern world, students need experience using the technology of the modern workforce. Levy funds allow this and thus support the employability of our graduates.

Sports and the arts play important roles in keeping our community vibrant and strong. Football games at John Larson stadium are part of the fabric of Arlington. Concerts at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center are part of what makes Arlington so wonderful. Levy funds are critical to supporting the extracurricular lives of our students and thus the Arlington community as a whole.

Importantly, this is a renewal levy. The old levy is expiring. The tax rate has been set to remain the same. The cost to the individual taxpayer in this community will stay the same if the levy passes. Passage of this levy will not result in a tax increase.

There has been much in the press recently about the duty of the state to fully fund K-12 education. And while the state Supreme Court has ruled that the state must act in this regard, the state legislature has not made plans to fully fund public education. When the state assumes this responsibility, local levies may be eliminated. This however, has not happened. Thus, the success of our schools remains in the hands of local communities, and levies remain the key to this success.

Arlington is a town that has a unique sense of community. Arlington supports its citizens, and we take care of our own. Part of our commitment to community is our commitment to the education of our children. Their success is dependent on the support of all of us.

I urge you to vote yes to renew the Educational Programs and Operations Levy on Feb. 9.

Jenny Taylor, Arlington

 

 

Food bank helps, but government could end hunger

The Arlington Food Bank does inspirational work. Thanks to generous partners like Safeway, great volunteers like Tori Anderson, and thoughtful ways to meet clients needs, the food bank saves several thousand families from hunger. (‘Arlington’s feeding younger, smaller families’, Dec. 26.)

The question is how can so many be hungry in the world’s richest country? Fortunately, Congress just took positive action by making the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit permanent. These two tax credits keep 16 million Americans from falling into or deeper into poverty. Making the tax credits permanent took the voices of many citizens asking their members of Congress and senators to pass the legislation.

Congress can take other actions to end hunger in our country, but we need to speak up to remind them. Full funding of the food stamp program would be helpful, but there needs to be more. Living wage jobs, universal access to post high school educational opportunities, and a fairer tax system would be a good start. So let’s join our voices and ask our government to end hunger once and for all.

Willie Dickerson, Snohomish

 

Stealing sad, especially at Christmas

We have grinches in Marysville. Someone stole my laser Christmas lights from my front yard last night. I think we have had two other ones on our street stolen.

Also, we have had shrubs dug up and car prowls.

What is this world coming to that you can’t have anything that people seem to think they can just help themselves.

Debbie Sherman, Marysville