It was with great interest that I read the July 10th Journal article about Fire District 3 requesting an adjustment to their levy. If you haven’t seen it, I suggest that you look it up and read it. Essentially the district has been very frugal with our tax dollars and has not requested any adjustment in over 60 years, which is unheard of on our island. However, as a result, there have been cuts to staffing. Purchases of new fire apparatus and needed station repairs are now at a critical level.

You can read about what reduced staffing and inadequate facilities and equipment can do to all of our insurance policies. But to me, the important thing is to get back to having a healthy Fire District to ensure that well trained and equipped volunteers and paid staff can respond to our homes and places of business for our protection. That is the bottom line, and I hope we will support the Fire District on their levy adjustment request on Nov. 5th. It could mean the difference between life and death, or loss of property. Complete details are available at https://www.sjifire.org/about/levy-2024/.

Kate McDowell

San Juan Island