I will say Mr. Couch's comment near the end of our interface was that money would be taken from places like Vienna and given to the other Fire Departments. Hello; that sounds a little like Socialism? From that have to those that don't via Government distribution.
We are of course raised to believe in helping others but there is also a little thing called charity begins at home. In simple terms let each of the Departments and because of the obvious lack of funds in some Departments, I again see the value of consolidating into Fire Districts for the reasons noted in my posting below work on their funding first. I am sure we all see the very nice, expensive homes built in the country side out side of Municipal Boundaries? They are not there by accident. People figure out how to avoid what can be the heavy hand of local Government to tax and tax and tax. But these same beautiful homes in many cases use Municipal Utilities/ Services; all the time avoiding the onerous tax burdens that go with them on those inside of the boundaries.
Is still an issue that each taxing authority whether it be a struggling Fire Department or a consolidated District of two or three Departments first, repeat FIRST have to determine what the fee (tax) would be in their taxing jurisdiction to arrive at a necessary LOCAL level of taxation. Sorry, could not get to a word like "feeation" as a viable word. :-) That is when AND ONLY when the assistance for our neighboring jurisdictions kicks in. This could conceivably cost a fee (tax) of as much as $4.00 for a particular home in those area. I am starting to get a whiff of our City fee going up and the $1.10 difference on an "average" home ($1.90 + $.1.10 = $3.00) going elsewhere? A few pennies might stay here due to the Central and Boaz folk with a few others ponying up for their share; but maybe most out of town? And then we must worry about Mr. Rapp and his reducing the City Fee as it is to be included in the $3.00/ average County fee (tax)? This is starting to stink some folks?
Also noted what did get some coverage at 5:00 P.M., and that was the get together at the Judge Black Annex up the street. Mr. Nohe had the gall to state that the need for road money should not be on the backs of the people. Is the same guy who maxed out every tax he could in 16 years as Mayor of Vienna; but spent little or nothing? And of course our Mr. Rapp was there. Don't know what he thought he would accomplish as there is not enough money in Vienna for the numerous road repairs that need doing? Short of another tax by County/ State not much hope for us?
And as I watched at 12:00 noon News, I had to replay three times but just after they showed Mr. Conley the Acting Committee Chair for Wood County Repubs at the Saturday hearing in Charleston for Mr. Cornelius; lo and behold who is there hiding at a corner table? Our guy Mr. Rapp; doing his thing? I still chuckle at how he can be classified as a Republican with his track record as Mayor? Guess one can register as whatever; no matter true colors? I still think he is a very Obama Liberal Democrat in his policies? "nuff said.