By James Massara
Frustration filled the meeting room at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday evening, July 26, as representatives of multiple Crawford County townships discussed a new contract with Life Support ambulance services.
Joint District President Jamie Sherk said the township representatives hoped to have a signed contract for a one-year extension with Life Support, but did not receive a response from a representative from the city of Bucyrus.
Sherk said the extension would keep the ambulance service for much of Crawford County as it is.
Bucyrus typically sends Councilman Steve Pifer to the meetings, but Sherk said Pifer informed the district of his absence due to a family matter in advance. Sherk said the district committee expected another city representative to come, but no one did.
In a text message read during the meeting, Bucyrus Council President Sis Love said there was miscommunication on who would attend the meeting.
Sherk said the main frustration is not receiving an answer on the direction Bucyrus is going. He said Bucyrus has discussed not renewing the contract with Life Support and self-serving with its own ambulance service. Sherk said he hopes Bucyrus remains in the contract.
Bucyrus accounted for approximately two-thirds of the total emergency runs made by Life Support in the past three months. Multiple township representatives fear if Bucyrus pulls out of the contract, there won’t be enough perspective revenue to keep Life Support in operation in Crawford County.
Sherk said the townships are working on a second option, but said it would cost the townships more and would rather keep with Life Support.
Love said in another text, Bucyrus City Council will further discuss the matter at its Aug. 3 meeting.
Sherk said the most frustrating part has been the indecisiveness, which has cause the townships to not be able to act or make decisions for the future.
Sherk added he hopes to have a new contract by November at the latest, as the current contract ends Dec. 31.