Chillicothe Tax Would Subsidize Ambulance Rides
By: Sophie Nielsen-Kolding WMBD/WYZZ TV
Updated: October 22, 2012
CHILLICOTHE- Voters in Chillicothe will soon have their say when it comes to a tax hike in their area.
On November 6th Chillicothe residents will vote whether or not they want the city to levy a tax for ambulance services. Chillicothe resident Ken Kirkman said he's going to vote for the tax.
"I think it should go through... I want Rescue 33 back," Kirkman said.
Rescue 33 had its license taken away and it wasn't just because it was short on funding. Passing the tax hike wouldn't necessarily mean Rescue 33 would go back to providing free service. The Peoria Area EMS Review Board said there were other problems like leadership, education of personnel and mutual aid. Not all of those problems would be solved with the tax.
"Like I say, I want rescue 33 back, I think we need them here and I'd be willing to pay for their services," Kirkman said.
"Well I want them to keep the ambulance service here so if they're voting to keep it here I definitely want it kept here," said resident Terry King.
King said he would vote for the tax levy if it meant Rescue 33 would keep providing free services. But if it didn't he said, "Oh no, no. I don't want any tax increase at all."
Local restaurant owner Shelly Berger said if the tax increase passed and it didn't bring back Rescue 33 that it "would be a huge disappointment."
But she said right now she's planning to vote for the tax.
"I would, I think Rescue 33 was a great organization and anything we can do to bring it back would be necessary," Berger said.
Kirkman says Chillicothe residents are going to have to pay either way, that the days of free ambulance rides are over.
"If you want the services, you're going to pay the money," he said.
The mayor of Chillicothe said if Rescue 33 gets it's license back, the money will go to help it. But if they don't, the money will help another ambulance service in Chillicothe. Either way, the money made from the tax would subsidize the ambulance bill for Chillicothe residents.
Voters will find out after ballots are in on November 6th.
On November 6th Chillicothe residents will vote whether or not they want the city to levy a tax for ambulance services. Chillicothe resident Ken Kirkman said he's going to vote for the tax.
"I think it should go through... I want Rescue 33 back," Kirkman said.
Rescue 33 had its license taken away and it wasn't just because it was short on funding. Passing the tax hike wouldn't necessarily mean Rescue 33 would go back to providing free service. The Peoria Area EMS Review Board said there were other problems like leadership, education of personnel and mutual aid. Not all of those problems would be solved with the tax.
"Like I say, I want rescue 33 back, I think we need them here and I'd be willing to pay for their services," Kirkman said.
"Well I want them to keep the ambulance service here so if they're voting to keep it here I definitely want it kept here," said resident Terry King.
King said he would vote for the tax levy if it meant Rescue 33 would keep providing free services. But if it didn't he said, "Oh no, no. I don't want any tax increase at all."
Local restaurant owner Shelly Berger said if the tax increase passed and it didn't bring back Rescue 33 that it "would be a huge disappointment."
But she said right now she's planning to vote for the tax.
"I would, I think Rescue 33 was a great organization and anything we can do to bring it back would be necessary," Berger said.
Kirkman says Chillicothe residents are going to have to pay either way, that the days of free ambulance rides are over.
"If you want the services, you're going to pay the money," he said.
The mayor of Chillicothe said if Rescue 33 gets it's license back, the money will go to help it. But if they don't, the money will help another ambulance service in Chillicothe. Either way, the money made from the tax would subsidize the ambulance bill for Chillicothe residents.
Voters will find out after ballots are in on November 6th.
