The End of Poliltical Skepticism?

Just in case you put your skepticism regarding public service in Montgomery County aside in between elections, let me refresh your memory.

Remember the ambulance fee?  The $400-some charge that was going to be imposed ONLY ON THOSE WHO COULD AFFORD IT – OR THOSE WHO HAVE INSURANCE COMPANIES TO PAY a claim?  Here are a couple facts worth knowing about the ambulance fee debate and its aftermath:

1.  The purpose of the fee was to help the county administration – in part - balance the budget after years of profligate spending by double-charging for ambulance service.  Think about it… the cost of ambulance service is in having the service available – not in actually using it.  The cost of public safety services is built into your property taxes and you have been paying for it since you bought your first property in Montgomery County.  The (double) charge is only a way for the county to take in more cash for a service it’s already providing.
2. The bottomless reservoir of insurance funding that is supposed to provide the cash to pay ambulance fees is confined by the economic reality of supply and demand.  Services cannot be paid for except by raising premiums on county residents or cutting services available.  The other economic problem introduced – but not solved – with this ridiculous legislation is that of moral hazard:  For those who cannot afford the ambulance fee, the service would be provided for free.  The question becomes – why would anyone insure against the risk of needing ambulance transportation if they are confident the taxpayers will pick up the tab anyways?
3. Ike Legget, desperate for revenue sources, threatened his union fire and rescue workers with extreme layoffs if they did not come out in support of the fee.  Ultimately they not only supported the fee but inappropriately used on-the-clock manpower and equipment to lobby for this politically charged issue.
4. In the aftermath of the public recall of the ambulance fee, Legget followed through on his threat by eliminating 60 full time (but vacant) full time positions and eliminating the budget for supporting volunteer fire and rescue workers.  (After an arbitrator’s ruling, approximately $300,000 was restored to accommodate some specific administrative support for the volunteers but all recruiting, personal-equipment and staff support has been eliminated for the volunteers.)

The volunteer fire and rescue workers of Montgomery County save the county approximately $20 million in salary and benefits annually.  They also work to raise funds for capital equipment and real estate that is provided to the county for delivering public safety services.  They should be encouraged and enabled – not politically punished – by the county to grow and increase its ability to serve.

One great way to set aside the feeling of despair and political skepticism and to feel just a little bit better about the community is to participate in celebrating some of the good things that are happening despite political pressure against community volunteerism.

On Friday September 16^th the local chapter of Americans for Prosperity will be holding a dinner and silent auction to raise awareness, pay tribute and provide a small financial token of its appreciation for the volunteer fire and rescue workers of Montgomery County.  Please check out this flier for details and join AFP in saying thank you.