Vote No to ESD

Well, what is the self-appointed committee going to come up with next. First an ESD No. 3 for the citizens encompassed within the Edna ISD area of northwest Jackson County, and now an ESD No. 4 for the Ganado area. It is indeed a solution to their problems – it will keep Edna Fire/EMS in operation.

The citizens within the area of the proposed ESD No. 3 should question the people behind this very quick push and vote as to their real reasons for the formation. They should also question the leaders of Edna (manager, mayor and councilmen) as to why they would not take part in the town hall meeting the JC Herald-Tribune was putting together; they are the one who shelled out the money (just how much was it?) for the lawyer to do the paper work for the formation of the ESD. Do they think it is still a good idea? Where does Commissioners Court stand on the issue?

Another point: three paid firemen/medics, with an on-call person, sitting at the Fire/EMS station cannot man the ambulance and fire equipment all at the same time. Which gets first priority – an EMS call or fire call? 

Let’s talk double/triple taxation. We are already being taxed by the Jackson County Hospital District for EMS coverage. They have three ALS ambulances and full crews with backup. Is the Edna EMS really needed? Will the City of Edna really cut taxes by what the new ESD rate? Or will the ESD No. 3 just be another tax for EMS? 

Fire coverage? It is my understanding that the Edna Volunteer Fire Department is a great organization and does a good job. Why pay three people to sit around waiting for a fire? Three people do not make a fire department. Just how many calls does Edna have in an average week?

How much money will the ESD No. 3 generate even with the full 10 cents? Will it be enough to cover the budget that is needed as structured now by the Edna Fire/EMS Department? Who will make up the shortage of funds?

The equipment of the Ganado Fire Department that sits outside is the Command Suburban which only carries personnel and no equipment. Not all of the firemen are behind the formation of the proposed ESDs, so how can the department be 100 percent behind it?

Just a few questions that need to be answered before any vote is cast. Please look into the ESD No. 3 formation. Don’t be misled by a few with a personal agenda.

Vote No!

Phylis Olsovsky

Ganado, Texas