Hobgood: "No Downside" To Proposed Fire Station Agreement with County

Editor’s note: the following was written by Canton Mayor Gene Hobgood in response to former Council member Pat Tanner’s letter calling on the city to reject a proposed agreement for Cherokee County to operate the Laurel Canyon fire station. The Canton City Council on Thursday will vote on whether to proceed with the proposal from the county.

Ms. Tanner,

Thank you for your letter and comments regarding the current proposal, which would establish a cooperative and beneficial working relationship between the city and the county fire and ambulance services.

You are correct that we all love our firefighters and our Fire Department. They do a great job. However, this issue is not one that has come up before. It is not consolidation. Not one thing changes about the current operation of our Fire Department. No jobs are lost, the city continues to own the existing and new fire station and at such time, as a new council decides, the agreement could be cancelled within 24 months notice to the county.

Additionally, under the proposed agreement, an ambulance service would be based at the Laurel Canyon station. In a community where significant number of Canton residents are seniors, this is extremely important. Furthermore, the same fire service will be delivered to the northwest area, as is currently being delivered. The county already has personnel at Station 9 which along with equipment, would be moved to the new station. These are the same firefighters that are serving that area now.

As mayor, it is my duty, as it is of all Council members, to consider the most cost effective way to deliver services to our citizens. Unfortunately, nostalgia and turf protection do not serve our city well. Although we all appreciate our history, it is time to move forward and consider more efficient and cost effective operational methods to deliver services to our citizens. Yes, we have budgeted personnel in our 2015 budget. However, we have serious needs for additional personnel at the existing two stations.

Our fire chief has stated this on numerous occasions. This proposal would allow for additional staffing at our two existing fire stations. There is no downside to this proposal. It is a win-win for both the city and county. We can keep our status quo or we can move on to a more efficient and cost effective operation of our new station while saving our taxpayers approximately $750,000 per year.

I, along with all the council members, are strong advocates of our Fire Department and staff. I do not believe, however, that the taxpayers should be paying $750,000 more per year than is necessary.

Gene Hobgood

What should you read next?

• Grant: Council Has a Duty To “Examine All Viable Options” For Fire Services
• Former Council Member Urges City To Reject County Fire Station Agreement
• Canton Reignites Fire Services Talks With Cherokee County
• Canton, Cherokee Leaders Continue To Negotiate Laurel Canyon Fire Station
• Hobgood: ‘Turf Protection’ Has No Place in Canton Fire Services Talks

Photo credit: Patch file