[Hodar]

You do not let a $200K home burn down over $75.

You most certainly DO!!

The Fire Department can not be supported by the country tax base. If they serve this person - who paid nothing ... then who do you think is going to write a $75 check next year?

If you paid $75 this year, to support the Fire Department, and your neighbor got the service for free - would you pay $75 next year? Is there any reason why ANYONE would pay $75 next year? Thus, the entire Fire Department would go bankrupt and no one would have fire protection.

[workerbee]

would you pay $75 next year? Is there any reason why ANYONE would pay $75 next year?

Yes, and yes. Because after-the-fact, the FD is going to charge me a lot more than $75.

[microgood]

If you paid $75 this year, to support the Fire Department, and your neighbor got the service for free - would you pay $75 next year? Is there any reason why ANYONE would pay $75 next year? Thus, the entire Fire Department would go bankrupt and no one would have fire protection.

I would pay the fee even if my neighbor was an idiot. Plus, the Fire Department can work out a deal where they get $7500 for putting the fire out. They can put a stupidity lien on his home for $7500.

I am sorry, but logic cannot work in a vacuum. There has to be some common sense involved here.