Lindsey Rowland
LRowland@wbcowqel.com
Members of the Crestline community exercised their voices during public participation at the regular council meeting Monday evening.
When the floor opened for public participation, the first to stand up was Tonia Keeler, who boldly stood and said, “I need help.” Keeler has been encountering conflict with her neighbors, and expressed frustration with the way that the police has been handling it, claiming that, though she has gone through all of the necessary steps to make sure that the problems are dealt with, that all continues to persist. Mayor David Sharrock assured Keeler that he would have a meeting with police officials promptly and would work to make sure the issues are resolved.
Others also spoke to the recent ordinance that states that, for each ambulance dispatch that doesn’t end in transport, a $50 fee would be administered.
First to speak was Vickie Lash, who has served as an EMS for a number of years. According to Lash and, later, to local insurance agent Dixie Elrod, the fee causes community members to hesitate calling for the ambulance as, for most, that $50 could potentially mean going without food or medicine. It was also stated that, because some medical conditions don’t manifest themselves in overt ways, the fear of the fee could lead an individual to not call for help because they aren’t sure what exactly might be wrong.
“These people will not call because of this cost and they will die,” Lash said before suggesting that council members come for a ride along to experience the situations she discussed. Both Lash and Elrod, as well as a large group of citizens in agreement, asked that council reconsider the movement.
In response, council member Allen Laferty assured that a policy is not yet active and in place and that, as it stands, there is only a charge being administered if medicine or supplies is given. Laferty claims that he is looking at it from a business standpoint, stating that it costs over $100 simply to take a cruiser or a firetruck to a scene, and it makes sense to be fiscally responsible with the matter.
In the end, the topic was closed to more discussion, and plans were made to both clarify the ordinance, the wording on the policy, and to educate the citizens about what is actually set to take place.
Finally, Mike Fruth stood up and simply wanted to know why public participation took place at the end of the meeting, when there might be a topic that comes up during the discussion that may want to be addressed by a citizen after the fact. Fruth was assured that the latest revision of council rules now give the opportunity to express thoughts and concerns to the council after the council has held discussion.
In addition to many close looks at the allocation of funds in the budget, Sharrock thanked everyone involved in a successful Mayor’s Night Out, and council member Clayton Herold updated that, as it stands, there has been over $9,000 raised for the Harvest Festival, just $2,000 short of the original goal. Donations will be accepted up until the festival, and volunteers are needed to help with the parade.
Prior to adjourning, it was decided that the Police and Fire Committee will meet on Monday, August 3 at 7:30 p.m., and the Finance Committee will be meeting on August 17 at 6:30.