Vote 'yes' on Troy Dispatch issue

Letter to the Editor,

Troy Volunteer Ambulance is taking a stand on the issue of whether or not to keep Troy Dispatch. The advantages to Troy-area citizens in keeping dispatch local involves more than money.

Local dispatchers know our area more intimately than any GPS device. They know neighbors as well as identifying points to help locate someone in need. There is a true advantage in knowing identifying points throughout the Troy district, which includes Bull Lake, Yaak and the entire ambulance district. These points in themselves are a tremendous benefit for local Emergency Management System and fire services. Our dispatch office is also a safe place for emergency help at any time, 24 hours a day.  

The strategically timed audit article printed in the Libby paper concerning the misuse of funds at Troy dispatch may have given the impression that dispatch is faulty. This could not be further from the truth. Our dispatchers are very well-trained and capable for the job at hand and are not responsible for errors made at the local or county administrative level with Troy taxpayers’ money. The commissioners have not taken a stand on how this misuse will be addressed. Are they waiting until after the election?

The upcoming election ballot gives the Troy taxpayers no choice. We are being asked to vote for a higher than previously approved dispatch mill levy or lose local services to Libby dispatch. Nothing has been mentioned concerning the excessive taxation money that was brought before the public eye. Why is an increase in previously voted mills necessary when we have adequate funds available to continue with Troy dispatch for at least two more years?

Troy tax money must stay local. It is advantageous for the community to have eight dispatchers that live in Troy. We want those families to stay in Troy. We do not want our tax money going to county dispatch.

Do we want Troy dispatch to remain in Troy? Pretty simple if you could just vote on whether or not Troy Dispatch stays in Troy.  The ballot as written is forcing us to vote for 29 mills if we want to keep dispatch at home.

Please vote yes on the Troy Dispatch issue.

Troy Volunteer Ambulance