Fire tax plan gets mixed reviews

November 05, 2006|by TARA REILLY

(Page 2 of 2)

Such a fee could be charged per household, and cover both fire and ambulance companies in the county and City of Hagerstown, said Hendershot, 61.

Hendershot, a former Hagerstown city councilman, said a fee is necessary because the companies are having a hard time finding volunteers. As a result, volunteer fire companies, in particular, likely will have to hire paid firefighters.

Hendershot's only criticism of McKee's proposal was its timing, he said.

He said the commissioners should request help from the local delegation when need be, rather than the delegation "imposing its will" on the commissioners.

"The good news is (the tax proposal) is out there," Hendershot said. "I agree with Bob, I just don't agree with the approach he took."

The companies' needs

Republican Terry Baker didn't exactly say whether he supported a tax, but criticized new taxes in general.

"No new tax is a good tax," said Baker, 50, current vice mayor of Clear Spring.

If elected, Baker said he would meet with fire and rescue companies to discuss their needs, then try to meet those needs. He declined to elaborate on his statements.

He did, however, say he didn't think fire and rescue companies should have to do door-to-door fundraisers.

Democrat Donna L. Brightman said she wants to see what a county task force studying fire and rescue operations, including a possible tax, has to say before making a decision.

"I want to see what the recommendations are because a good group of people are working on that," said Brightman, 55.

If a tax, which Brightman calls a fee, is considered, the county should educate people about why they're paying it and what kind of services they're getting for it.

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