Burning Questions

I am in awe of our firefighters and police officers who put their life in jeopardy every day for the sake of the safety of others. They do not get enough credit for the heroic work that they do. But, I am leaning toward a 'NO' vote on the fire referendum. Nothing I've heard thus far has convinced me that the City of Canton needs its own Fire Department. We do need more fire stations but the county has already taxed its citizens and the SPLOST money is in a holding pattern waiting to be used for the building, staffing and equipping new stations, and revamping old ones. Now the City of Canton wants its own department, via taxing persons living within the city limits, a much smaller tax base than the tax base of the county. That means that Canton City dwellers will be taxed again for the same thing. I repeat, a smaller tax base. When emergency aid is needed, due to the Mutual Aid Agreement, the county responds to each and every 911 call that goes out. This applies even if the 911 originates within the city limits of Canton. The county fire department requires that each firefighter be EMT certified, the City of Canton does not have this requirement. County station #9 located on Hwy 140 near Pearidge is staffed by full-time county firefighters. It is slated to be rebuilt with county dollars. This is the station that serves Laurel Canyon and Great Sky. It's going to be new with up to date equipment. 

I see no need to tax city residents again for fire safety when the county has already taxed ALL Cherokee county citizens and the money is waiting to be used. I think that The City of Canton should let the county do what it is already doing well.