For many years, residents of Tracy have complained about slow response times from the fire department and the police department. Chief Bosch’s proposal to move the Banta Station a mile or so west and to relocate the existing station at Parker Avenue and Grant Line Road closer to Corral Hollow and Grant Line roads is a move designed to provide the residents of Tracy with better fire coverage and reduce response times. It also is designed to get the fire crew stationed in Banta out of that antiquated facility.
It is clear to me that Bosch is doing his job as an administrator by trying to meet the long overdue service coverage needs here in Tracy and to reduce response times of fire personnel when called to our homes in emergency situations.
I don’t believe the suggestion of a “membership” fee to offset operational costs for fire personnel is the best idea I’ve seen come along, but it is one of the only ideas that I’ve heard come along to help offset city expenditures during tough financial times.
Imagine the outrage that would be heard if the chief was forced to lay off firefighters and reduce the number of lifesaving personnel serving our town.
While I’m not in favor of the membership fee, I am at least glad to see our fire chief and other city staff looking at other financial alternatives to layoffs, something that I haven’t seen many other cities doing.
Chief Bosch gets high marks in my book for considering the needs of the residents of Tracy and for trying to be a problem solver. Keep in mind, the chief doesn’t have the final say. These are merely suggestions to reduce response times and to offset operational costs. The City Council has the final authority in these matters.
So before you consider ousting the fire chief, how about examining yourself and asking what you have done lately to help resolve some of our town’s issues?
• Larry L. Hite is a Tracy resident and owner of a home inspection business.
The only thing that I will agree to is that the Banta station is very much an antiquated facility. I'm surprised that the firefighters that have to work in that station haven't complained to the higher ups. Now with this membership fee that you mentioned,let me give you my thoguhts on this. Remember when the Council approved the addition of 9 firefighters (3) per shift to staff the second engine at new 11th street station? Well I was at that Council meeting and by the look on the face of the City Manager it was clear to see that he was caught of gaurd. To make a long story short the City Manager went back to Cheif Bosch and he told him that you just cost me 1.5 million from my general fund and I need you to get that back to me somehow thus crating this EMS fee. Maybe you can run for Council again and try to make a difference.
"I don’t believe the suggestion of a “membership” fee to offset operational costs for fire personnel is the best idea I’ve seen come along, but it is one of the only ideas that I’ve heard come along to help offset city expenditures during tough financial times."
Why don't you just come out and say that we don't know were the money collected will be spent. You even admit that this fee will help offset city expenditures. What expenditures? be specific.
You would have been better off leaving the money end out.
Oh wait, you were defending the chief. Good job.
The chief is a good guy.
Bad choice of timing to propose spending additional monies though.