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EDITOR: Seems like every issue of the paper we read more about this “Fee” that’s been imposed upon us by the state for rural fire protection. I’ve never been opposed to paying for additional fire protection or upgrading basic emergency services, especially when I have been given the opportunity to weigh the pros and cons and vote on it.
I spent the better part of four decades in public safety and emergency services and I started that career as a CDF firefighter back in the mid-60s. I’m well aware that they can use all the assistance they can get. I’d gladly give it, but I don’t like to be strong-armed for it.
When this lame-brained governor was elected I knew it was a matter of time before he’d pull some slick maneuver to get into our pockets without permission. Even the people who voted him into office can’t deny he lied to them with his mantra “No new taxes without voter approval.”
Sorry folks, but a “Fee” is a “Tax.” The only difference is the spelling. Some of us learned on the governor’s first trip around the block that you can’t trust a thing he says when his lips are moving.
I’ve looked at the websites that have been provided in some of the recent articles, and looked at the maps. I find that I’m in a SRA, or State Responsibility Area, which means I have to pay the “Fee” (read: extortion). Now I get to subtract $35 according to my understanding of this “Fee” because I’m in a “Fire Protection District” already. OK, now I’m confused. The residents of Placerville don’t have to pay the “Fee” because they’re considered “rural.” But… they are in the same “Fire Protection District” I am.
I live about three quarters of a mile from the nearest fire house. I’d be willing to bet, all things being equal, that if I called 911 it would take less time for a fire truck to reach my house than it would for the same response in the city limits. The reason being, less traffic and fewer obstacles.
I have absolutely no issues with Cal Fire. And I would absolutely have no qualms about paying a genuine tax if it were to be passed legally. But my house is closer to at least three El Dorado County Fire Protection District fire houses than it is to the nearest Cal Fire station.
I certainly wouldn’t turn them away if they were sent here, but they are obviously not my first line of defense, which I believe should be the essence of this “Fee.” To arbitrarily fine me because I don’t live in an incorporated area or on federal land is nothing more than robbery at best.
And how many times are we going to be assessed this fee before it’s considered illegal? How long will it take the state to refund all the victims? I’d be willing to bet a lot longer than they seem to be willing to wait for all of us to pay it!!
RAY BOSNICH
Placerville
The Mountain Democrat does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy
Pat SnellingAugust 24, 2012 - 1:19 pm
What legislator (Democrat or Republican) would ask you to pay a "Fee" or a "Tax" so he can pay his Staffer $210,250 a year? or a Policy Consultant $500,000 a year? How about a trip to Washington DC or Israel to meet with lobbyist?... I pay taxes for public safety, roads, schools and safe water..... All those other things are the things we should vote on...
Chuck HollandAugust 27, 2012 - 6:52 am
As usual Ray your perspective is entertaining, inspiring, and ON POINT. Thank you.
Ron BriggsAugust 27, 2012 - 8:40 am
just to illustrate how important the SRA tax programs are. Last Thursday Assembly Democrats offered to Republicans an opportunity to get rid of that nasty SRA tax by trading it away for an out of state corporate tax scheme harvesting larger returns (read millions more than SRA)for state coffers.The same out of state corporate tax scheme that cost Republican Assembly caucus chair Nestande his position because he broke ranks to vote in the affirmative. I do not know about you guys, but I feel warm and fuzzy all over knowing the county of El Dorado's $8 million SRA tax dollars are meaningful to our fellow Californians and will prevent fires. ron briggs
Dave in KelseyAugust 27, 2012 - 9:28 am
The State has the money but pisses it away. CalFire may be a solid and stable branch of the government's services, however, the money funded to them is subject to politicians and not absolute. Who's to say if we all chip in, even though most of live within a regular fire district, that the money won't be borrowed for something else? You don't give alcohol to an alcoholic thinking they are going to manage to cure themselves. Throwing more money at the state without them doing a damn thing to fix their mismanagement of funds is idiotic and foolish.
evanAugust 27, 2012 - 1:24 pm
Same here in Swansboro (Placerville rural subdivision) They drew the SRA lines to encompass our community and just outside their lines is the USFS responsibility. We maintain our own properties and the property owners association that we pay $760 a year takes care of the common areas, besides that we pay over $200 for our communities fire department on our property tax. I called the Calfire fee info. line and asked them since we maintain all the area within this SRA what will they do with the monies collected from us in THIS community? Their reply was they would do nothing as far as brush and fire hazard removal on private properties and the fee would be used for instruction and training on how to keep our properties fire safe, blah blah blah! Well it seems to me we have been doing just fine at this ourselves without their $150 training course.So all in all it is REALLY a tax as it does not directly benefit me or my community directly and most of my FEE is really being applied like a TAX as it will be used elsewhere for fire prevention. Thanks Jerry Brown you half-wit money grabbing extortionist
Neil DonrusheAugust 27, 2012 - 1:57 pm
Now I know why they call this Whine Country.
NancyAugust 28, 2012 - 12:06 am
From what I have heard so far, it sounds like some people in a neighborhood are getting the bill for the fee (tax) while others in the same neighborhood are not. Perhaps there should be a poll on how many Republicans are getting the bill vs how many Democrats are getting the bill. I will be paying very close attention to my neighborhood and whether everybody gets the bill or nobody gets it.