I disagree. They chose not to pay for Fire Department support. And they didn't get it.
Yep. And, there’s no guarantee even if they paid the $75 that their home would have been saved, either. The volunteer fire department that covers the area where my farm is located (SE Tennessee) had one burn down right across the street from the fire hall. (and the home owner was paid up)I’m a volunteer fireman in another nearby district and have been for over 25 years. I’ve been to dozens of house fires. It’s rare that we get there in time to save a structure. Mostly, we’re there to keep it from spreading if there are other houses nearby. If you are depending on a volunteer fire department to save your house your best bet is homeowner’s insurance.
because the competing fire department was less expensive or more expensive? oh yes there is no competition allowed for this hiddent tax.
“they chose to suffocate because they did not pay the voluntary algore air tax...”
Again - The Fire Department is supported by LOCAL TAXES that are already collected.
http://ppjg.wordpress.com/2010/10/06/letting-homes-burn-in-tennessee-an-ongoing-problem/
“And according to the above article, Homeowner Insurance reimburses the Department for responding, regardless of the whether a fee is paid or not.
Apparently Obion Fire Department received over $40K in grants for 2008 – that is approximately 10% of the money needed to cover one year’s cost. Wonder why their budget is not online so residents can see where that slush fund is distributed?
Perhaps the most interesting part of this on-going saga is the fact that in July of ’09 there was a proposal to take care of this issue:”
“When no County Official or Fire Chief supported the concept of raising taxes the motion was tabled to solve the issue:”
Why would the Fire Chief do this? Could it possibly be that there is further taxation (fees/fines) if the home is not cleaned up in the appropriate timeframe?