By Theresa Campa Hutchison / Herald Forum
Firefighters are our heroes, selflessly serving and protecting our community every day.
The salient point to make is that the upcoming April 22 ballot measure to annex Edmonds into the Regional Fire Authority (RFA) isn’t about their bravery; it’s about a bureaucratic decision that demands careful scrutiny. Edmonds deserves straight-forward facts, not a manufactured marketing campaign by the city that taxpayers unknowingly paid for to sell us on annexation.
Shockingly, the city spent $64,000 of taxpayer money on a contract with Liz Loomis Public Affairs, a PR firm hired to craft a strategic communications plan to promote annexation. This wasn’t disclosed upfront, it was deceptive, a backroom deal. Only though a public records request did this contract come to light. It was buried within mountains of files. Loomis Public Affairs specializes in securing revenue-generating measures for government agencies – not in fostering transparent dialogue with voters. This campaign began before critical negotiations, like giving away two of our fire stations worth over $6 million, were even finalized. Good ideas don’t need to be sold, so why the secrecy?
Edmonds residents, we are knowledgeable and capable of assessing the facts to make the right decision for ourselves. We don’t need slick marketing campaigns or fear tactics to tell us what’s best for us. And we don’t deserve to be manipulated and hoodwinked into voting the way the city wants us to. What we need are clear, honest facts, then we’ll decide whether:
• Annexation will nearly double what residents currently pay for fire and EMS services without improving service levels.
• It will transfer control of fire services to an external authority — the RFA — leaving Edmonds with limited representation on the RFA board.
• The city plans to redirect the funds it currently uses for fire services to help plug its significant budget deficit, $6.5 million of our tax dollars that we have already paid. This is double taxation.
• This vote is about more than Edmond’s future; it’s about our financial stability, our family’s future, and our voice in local governance. Let’s slow this process down and demand real, honest dialogue with those we elected; not their hired public relations firm’s strategy rehearsed dialogue and talking points. Let’s not rush decisions that will be near impossible to reverse; decisions driven by desperation or hidden agendas. Edmonds can do better. This is our future, our community.
We trust you to make the right choice based on the facts and not on a campaign designed to manipulate your vote. Go to edmondscandobetter.org
Theresa Campa Hutchison is a retired tegistered nurse and lives in Edmonds.
RFA forum
Northwest Washington Civic Circle hosts a community discussion on the Regional Fire Authority ballot measure at 1 p.m. Saturday at Edmonds Lutheran Church, 23525 84th Ave. W., Edmonds. NWCC is a nonprofit organization, founded by Edmonds resident Alicia Crank, that focuses on civic and community engagement. The forum will feature a presentation by City of Edmonds representatives, followed by a pro-and-con discussion.
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