Editor:
Sonoma Valley is all too familiar with fire season, but the good news is we also know what we need to protect the community. Santa Rosa Junior College is where most of our region’s firefighter/paramedics learn the skills that save lives and protect property and wildlands. I was trained at the SRJC fire program, and have spent over three decades as a Sonoma County firefighter and now a fire chief – I see every day the need for well-trained firefighters and paramedics.
The fire academy at SRJC needs modern facilities and equipment, plus room for expansion as the demand for first responders continues to increase. That is what Measure AB on the November ballot delivers. Measure AB will upgrade SRJC facilities so more students will be trained for firefighter and paramedic services. This gives us the people we need to keep our community safe.
Having such a valuable asset as the Public Safety Training Center right here in Sonoma County means the people who train here will also be here to fill the jobs at local fire departments and other emergency response agencies.
The fire risk in Sonoma County is well known. Being prepared and able to fight fires and respond to emergencies when they do happen requires trained personnel.
Please join me in voting yes on Measure AB.
Stephen Akre
Local Fire Chief
Supporting fire training is an excellent idea.
Throwing money away is not a good idea.
Instead of spreading $1,200 million (yes, $1.2 billion) across 2027 to 2059, the SRJC board wants to spend $830 million in the next dozen years and leave no spending for the years 2040 to 2059. That extra $483 million would be available for projects at no extra cost to the taxpayers.
In order to “speed up” spending, SRJC proposes the taxpayers pay $930 million in interest — that is 53 cents of every tax dollar goes to interest.
-C.ompare that to the current Measure H where only 25 cents of the taxpayer dollar goes to interest.
So, yes, Measure AB does help fire training for the next dozen or so years. But, it leaves the student of the 2040s and 2050s “high and dry” as new training technologies and equipment really become necessary for those students.
The property taxpayers will be highly burdened right through 2059-60.
Vote to help SRJC students –vote No on Measure AB — send it back to the SRJC board for a fiscally responsible proposal.