One Brick Short

I’ve come out not in favor of Charlottesville plans to create its own rescue squad to the dancing tune of a cool mill greenbacks when the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Service does a pretty damn good, and free, job.

So, when Mr. Pfaltz sent an e-mail cc to me of an e-mail he sent to city folks, I thought it would be best to include it here, the same cyber spot where I’ve trashed the city parents for considering the rescue squad. I don’t know all of what Mr. Pfaltz is talking about, but if he’s remotely satisfied, it must have been a solid conversation with facts and figures:

“This morning I had a long discussion with Chief Werner regarding the Fire Department, Rescue Squad and other matters.  He explained many factors that I had not known of.  It was quite productive.

He convinced me that it would be appropriate for the city to provide, at least, peak time ambulance service to supplement that of CARS.  So, I wish to
ameliorate my negative reactions to that proposal. I am still convinced that any long range solution to rescue squad issues (and there appear to be
several) should be regional, and that no action taken by the city should be seen as undercutting the effectiveness of CARS.  I believe the Chief is in
agreement on these two points.

He also explained convincingly why another fire station near Fontaine Avenue would be desirable.  It would be. But I explained that I felt this fiscal
year, when revenue will be tight, was not the time to do it.  To me, keeping the increase in city spending to less than 5% (including capital projects)
is essential.

I find it reassuring that I could sit down with a member of the city staff, and get a clear presentation of both a department’s operations and its needs.  It is
too bad that the city could not have made that kind of clear explanation when the possibility of providing ambulance service was first broached.”

Thanks for the update Mr. Pfaltz. We who don’t do our own research should appreciate those of you who do.