We would like to say “Thank You” to everybody who helped to pass issue 40, the Jackson Township Fire Department Operating Levy.

• The levy is to renew the current levy and there will be no increase in millage
• This is not a new tax and is not an increase to the existing tax.
• This is the operating money for the Fire Department.  Without the levy, there will be no EMS and a skeleton crew for fire protection operating out of one station.
• The only means of funding for the Fire Department is this levy and ambulance billing
• Currently the levy provides for EMS and Fire Protection for the residents of Jackson Township.  Jackson Fire Department operates 5 full time stations with full time paramedic service at all five stations.
•  Our Department offers second-to-none service.  Residents enjoy around-the-clock paramedic service and fire protection provided by professionally certified firefighters.  That coupled with an average response time of less than 4 minutes, our service cannot be beat.
•  The premium service comes with a price but how can a price be placed on human life?  We truly are the most well educated, professional, and best equipped Fire Department in Stark County and one of the top in the State of Ohio.  If you had an emergency at your home or your child or other loved one was critically ill, wouldn’t you like to know that you have the best there is responding to your emergency?
• Fire protection is similar to an insurance policy;  you don’t like paying for it and you hope to never need it but if you ever do, you certainly want to know that you are covered.
• Try holding your breath for 4 minutes.  That is how long it takes for your brain to start dying when deprived of oxygen.  With an average response time of less than 4 minutes, there is a much better chance of survival and quality of life in the event of a cardiac arrest.  Without funding our residents could be faced with a reduction in staffing and stations will close.  That will result in response times that could easily double our average of 4 minutes we have now.  How many brain cells will die in that amount of time?  What is the chance of recovery after Oxygen deprivation for that amount of time?  There again how do you put a price on human life?  The Jackson Township Fire Department has been frugal with tax dollars and Chief Heck is known throughout the State of Ohio for managing dollars and moving forward.  In a time of recession he has been able to keep our department growing and is able to increase staffing while other communities are laying off.  Sure it is easy to second-guess and naysay how levied monies are spent but if you look at Chief Heck’s record you will find it is impeccable.  Staffing is the most expensive aspect of any organization or business.  Staffing is what puts 5 advanced life support ambulances on the road every day all day.  Staffing is also what provides 4 Engines, a Tower-Ladder Truck, and a Heavy Rescue Company on the road for fires and vehicle accidents.  Staffing also provides for a full time fire prevention bureau.  This provides for fire safety in our schools, shopping centers, churches, restaurants, and all public buildings.  Without our inspectors, public safety would be at the mercy of those who occupy our public buildings.

Here is the approved ballot language.

 

PROPOSED TAX LEVY – RENEWAL
JACKSON TOWNSHIP
(Jackson Township Fire Department Services)

A Majority Affirmative Vote is Necessary for Passage

“A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Jackson Township, Stark County, Ohio, for the purpose of providing and maintaining fire apparatus, appliances, buildings, or sites therefor, or sources of water supply and materials therefor or the establishment and maintenance of lines of fire alarm telegraph, or the payment of permanent, part-time, or volunteer firefighters or firefighting companies to operate the same, including the payment of the firefighters employer’s contribution required under section 742.34 of the revised code, or to purchase ambulance equipment or to provide ambulance or emergency medical services operated by a fire department or firefighting company at a rate not exceeding six (6) mills for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to sixty cents (mce_marker.60) for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for three (3) years, commencing in 2009, first due in calendar year 2010.
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FOR THE TAX LEVY
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AGAINST THE TAX LEVY
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