On September 29, 2006, Santa Cruz County formally approved creation of a Sonoita-Elgin Fire District. Since then, a number of questions have been raised regarding the process by which the District was approved. On March 31, 2007, the Sonoita Crossroads Community Forum held an educational session aimed at providing factual information regarding the District: (1) what a Fire District is; (2) the impacts of establishing (or disestablishing) the District on fire, medical and other emergency services; (3) the impacts on taxes now and in the future; and (4) the potential impacts on the community were the District to be overturned as a result of a petition-driven election or legal action. A summary of the presentation by Pete Daniels (Chair, Board of Directors, Sonoita-Elgin Fire District); John Rowlinson (Arizona State Fire Marshal); Bill Miller (Area representative for the Arizona Fire District Association and Chief of the Fry Fire District); and Kevin Keeley (Fire Chief, Tubac District) is available on this website.
At that meeting, I indicated that the Forum would establish a 'blog' aimed at encouraging community dialog regarding the Fire District by providing additional background, raising questions and contributing comments. Because the issue has engendered considerable passion in the community, we expect (and hope for) a lively dialog. In service that the dialog be a constructive exchange of information and views, it will be moderated by me in my role as SCCF Board President. What this means is that prior to appearing on the site, comments will be reviewed to ensure that they meet reasonable standards of civility. Criticisms, comments and concerns should be constructive and avoid personal attacks -- this is our public face to the world. Please, try to refrain from heated rhetoric here, no matter how frustrated you are, or how vexing an action or a comment seems to be. Instead, contact me personally and we on the SCCF Board will try to provide information that may allay a concern, or establish a more private channel of communication to make your concerns/issues known to representatives of the Fire District, the Supervisors or other public officials. To post a comment, please select the Blog link below to post your public comments/discussion re the Fire District.
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