The True Citizen
P.O.Box 948
Waynesboro, GA 30830
(706) 554-2111

Letters to Editor

01/30/02

EDITOR:

In an effort not to write the next great American novel I will try to keep the facts short and to the point. As for (Mr. Carlson) "We can probably reduce EMA personnel to one a shift at certain times of the day." If you can teach me how to do adequate patient care and drive the ambulance at the same time, I'm all ears. On the fireside, OSHA requires four firefighters on the scene before an interior attack can be made on a structure fire. Anyone who wants to go to a volunteer fire department should keep in mind the word "volunteer." They can volunteer not to respond just as easy. Burke County's insurance rating would suffer and finding house insurance for some residences in the county would be nearly impossible. As for privatizing ambulance service; I worked part time for private ambulance services for seven years and that is not the way to go.

We would be lucky to have three ambulances in this county if it was privatized because they are "profit-driven." Ask citizens of Wrens, Louisville and Hephzibah how many times they have seen a Burke County ambulance respond to an emergency in those towns because their private ambulance service provider had no one to send. As for commissioners promising that no fire stations would close; they are making promises that soon they may not be able to keep. On Jan. 9, 2002, Burke County EMA had no one out sick, on vacation or out for any other reason, and it still took 10 people working part time and overtime to provide coverage for the county. To put this into perspective; if for that one day; no one would have volunteered to work extra, we would have had only one ambulance staffed in Waynesboro instead of three, and two fire departments would have been closed for 24 hours. Let's hope that everyone does not get tired of working overtime, if you know what I mean commissioners.

A lot of us are away from our families for 72+ hours straight to keep this county covered. On Sunday, Jan. 13, 2002, we were short one ambulance from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; it happened to be one of our busiest days. Because we were busy and short staffed, a family had to wait 2+ hours for "non-emergency" transport from Burke County Hospital to an Augusta hospital. Now, if it would have been an emergency transport, we could have sent one immediately, but one of the fire stations would have been "un-manned" for approximately 3 hours. As of this letter, 45 percent of our "road" staff has less than three years experience (including the current fire/EMT class). We are 35 personnel short with only 14 enrolled in the current class for new employees. As for paramedics, we are operating at 57 percent. For complete paramedic coverage, it would take 30 paramedics. We only have 17 at this time. Until we get back to near full staff we no longer have the luxury to send employees to paramedic school; so that number will surely drop. Now here are my solutions. . Quit comparing apples and oranges.

The public safety agencies are underpaid. It took 11 years for my salary to top $10 an hour. As for The True Citizen staffer that stated we should be happy with a 2 percent raise because many in the county have no jobs, well I answer; tell them to get out of the house and drop an application because there are 35 openings here. It comes down to how bad do you want a job? By the way, a 2 percent raise meant approximately 15 cents an hour for most employees. Shame on you, commissioners! As for Mr. Waldrop, I hope you study the budget year round. That is the only way to catch where waste is. Passing a budget and then waiting till three months prior to the next budget before you start scrutinizing is not the way to go. The money for raises is already there if you look hard enough. I will end this letter with a commendation for Mr. Crockett. He has recently visited fire stations and talked with some of our employees to see for himself what the problems are, and I believe his eyes were opened because he actually left the courthouse and saw for himself instead of relying on hearsay in the commission office. It's time for other commissioners to follow his lead and check things out. Feel free to drop by anytime; all your questions have answers if you ask the right people. Lt. Jerry Johnson Burke County EMA Keysville

EDITOR:

Re: Concern for proposed military runway. Someone once said, "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!" I am going to add be VERY careful, especially when you are courting hog and poultry processors and military airbases where you live. Don't get me wrong; I like all kinds of flying machines (especially the sound of a crop duster working the fields). I am pro-military and encourage pro-gress. I am glad to see some reticence about embracing a big decision which will affect us all forever. Forever is a very long time. What do we want to sacrifice for 50 jobs (and I doubt they will all be filled from Burke residents)? Who does benefit? The landowners? Girard Grocery? My descendants? A lot of questions need to be answered before I will be sold on this concept. I have a lot of experience flying around Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, S.C., and in short, it is a hassle. Let's realize that along with a couple thousand acres of land, miles and miles of what is known as free, uncontrolled air space will be affected.

I don't like to give up any of my freedoms . you shouldn't either. Most non-aviators are not aware that the government loves to own airspace. There are complications to this which I need not expound on now. One thing I am wondering is why did the "great and wise" government decide to consider building here when 10 miles across the river sits tens of thousands of uninhabited, undeveloped acres which belong to the U.S. Government (the Savannah River Site) . Duhh!! Again, I am not opposed to this idea. But with no tax basis, government gobbling airspace and lots of noise, I am wondering will it be worth it? Girard will be rumbling day and night, and I think everyone should consider the implications. This will be very interesting. Robert McMillan Waynesboro

EDITOR:

Hats off for last week's edition of The True Citizen. Your editorial urging Burke County to use caution before embracing the proposed Naval Base was a service to this community. It is with concern and sadness that I read of the premature vote of support by the Sardis City Council. It should come as no surprise to them that a great majority of their neighbors in Girard, including myself, are loath to embrace this proposed naval facility. I beg to question the information these public servants utilized in order to cast such a vote. The facts, which are easily obtained through the Navy's web site, clearly state the expected level of noise to reach or exceed 60 decibels.

However, Federal guidelines found through NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health) contradict their report. The Federal Agency states that a jet engine at takeoff reaches 140 decibels and exposures above 85 decibels could cause hearing loss. They go even further, stating that regular exposure of more than one minute at 110 decibels risks permanent hearing loss. Noise pollution is such a real threat that our government has not one, but two agencies trying to find a solution. Will Burke County sell the peace and quiet of its rural areas for the lure and vague promise of 50 jobs? If anyone is under the misconception that a Naval facility will magically employ 50 unskilled workers for long-term employment, I have some land I will sell you, approximately a half-mile from the proposed site. Bring your own earplugs. I know firsthand how important jobs are to the people of Burke County.

Lest we trade assumed progress and a vague promise of jobs for one of our most important assets, we should use caution before jumping to embrace a facility that will pay no taxes and destroy the local peace and quiet. Both Richmond and Columbia counties have already lost the tranquility that makes Burke County a desirable place to live and raise families. And if we are to learn from their mistake, they would tell us that tranquility, once lost, can not be restored for any amount of anticipated money or jobs. To the City Council of Sardis and other supporters for this unwanted pollution, I am disappointed that you might not realize the full impact your actions could have on your neighbors. Neighbors, I might add, who have and will continue to have an impact on your local economy. To our county commissioners, I urge you to consider those who will be directly affected, the taxpayers and voters of Burke County. Help us to protect this precious commodity of a peaceful environment for future generations. Susan B. Bargeron Girard

 

Letters to the editor of The True Citizen are welcomed and encouraged. These are pages of opinion, yours and ours.

 The unsigned editorials generally appearing on the left side of the editorial page represent the opinion of the newspaper and not that of any one person on our staff. Personal columns represent the opinions of the writers whose names appear on them and are not to be considered the opinion of this newspaper, its management or owners. Letters to the editor voice the opinions of the newspaper's readers.

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