TIME REMAINING UNTIL Providence VFD IS OUT OF OPERATING FUNDS

Latest Update on actions from Weddington to resolve the issues at Providence VFD

Another website has been created to focus on common questions and answers concerning the movement town council has taken to explore a municipal fire district.

Go to:  WeddingtonFireService.com

January Actions

Weddington town council meeting 1-9-12 Opening and Public Comments

Weddington town council meeting 1-9-12 Fire Services Part 1

Weddington town council meeting 1-9-12 FIre Services Part 2

It’s a new year and a new Town Council, but the problems continue.  On January 9, 2012 our new town council held its first full meeting.  Our new Mayor, Walker Davidson, opened the meeting stating that no action on fire services would be taken at the meeting, and, in fact, no significant action should be expected for 6 – 8 months.  The information from the principal parties (ie: Wesley Chapel Board of Directors and Providence Board of Directors)  provided to the town over the past year apparently is under new review and the council is starting over to explore financial numbers and facts.  The information I have offered to you, the community, is being referred to as “rumor”.  YET… Mayor Davidson had no problem with offering for review and discussion financial numbers which he stated are “wrong”.  I really like Mr. Davidson but I do not see the point of discussing financial numbers that he considers wrong.  Why not discuss numbers that look right as a good starting point?

Discussion continues to encourage a merge between Wesley Chapel VFD and Providence VFD.  What the public may not understand is that these are independent entities and the Weddington Town Council has no authority to force a merge.  Only the Board of Directors of these departments can make that decision.  The two organizations have very different organizational models, so it would be like mixing oil and water to blend together.  Jack Parks, President of the Providence BOD has repeatedly explained why a merge is not an option, but the option continues to resurface.

I continue to hear that Providence VFD will not be allowed to shut down and that it is erroneous to mention closure of the station. I suggest to you that until there is a solid plan of action to resolve the issues at Providence VFD, there is a possibility of closure.  Only time will confirm whether a decision of this magnitude will be necessary.  However, if Union County does not care to address solutions to the issues at Providence VFD and Weddington has no plan of action to resolve the issues at Providence VFD, and the residents of Providence fire district do not see this as an issue important enough to immediately correct, then, in my opinion, closure of the station is a viable option for consideration.

Listen to the public comments and hear where the focus of concern is.  It is said that property values can be enhanced with the event of Weddstock…. no mention of how property values are affected with knowledge of a suffering fire department.  Providence VFD is the only station serving Weddington which provides 24/7 staffed coverage.  To lose this service could have a negative impact on property values.  At the very least it would have a negative impact on 911 response during the overnight hours.

Where is our community support?

The entire audio is 3 1/2 hours and if you are interested in hearing the discussion concerning funding of Weddstock I can get that part to you, but since I must break down the audio into segments in order to get it out on this site I have chosen to only offer those portions dealing with fire services.  I HAVE included all public comments because it is important for each of you to hear the concerns of Weddington residents.  I would like to thank all those that DID take the time to come forward and speak up to protect Providence VFD.  But if you think most neighbors were focused on fire services and protecting Providence VFD, you would be wrong.  Listen and decide for yourself.  The concern is to fund Weddstock.  Some of these neighbors live in the Providence fire district and still chose to offer no support.  It is very discouraging!!  This is why I have appealed over and over for you to speak up.  I have very little impact since council knows how I feel.  They need to hear from voices that have not yet made the time to stand up and speak!!

It is hard to dispute audio… please educate yourself on the status of fire services.

Weddington town council meeting 1-9-12 Opening and Public Comments

Food for thought:

Do you live in the Williamsburg, Weddington Heritage, Weddington Downs, Waybridge, Hadley Park, Greystone, Gatewood or Beulah Oaks neighborhood?  If so you may have a longer response time for medical service.  The Providence VFD fire department is closer to your home, but would NOT be called to your medical emergency unless Wesley Chapel VFD requests backup.

On December 15th our new Town Council held a special town meeting to discuss the fire services issues.  Get the facts and listen to the meeting in reference to Providence VFD…

Update from December 15th Special Meeting

Trying to coordinate a CPR class with the Red Cross but need at least 22 people to sign up before they will schedule a date.  If interested contact the station at: (704) 846-1111.

WBTV News STORY OCT. 10th – Covering the Town Council Meeting

Resolution from Town of Weddington to Become a municipal fire service area

Daily Update – County Commissioner meeting October 17th

On Monday, October 10th, at 4:30PM our Town Council met with the County Commissioners.  It was pointed out to the Commissioners (specifically Jonathan Thomas) that it is not a legal option to hold a referendum asking residents in the entire Wesley Chapel Fire District and Providence Fire District to vote on the option they want for fire services.  The Commissioners had little to say concerning fire services in Weddington but our Town Council made it clear the town was moving forward to become a municipal fire district and would take that step, “friend or foe”, working hand in hand with the County or doing it alone.

Immediately following the joint meeting, the town held its regular Town Council meeting at 7PM.  Jerry McKee made the motion to send a resolution to the County Commissioners asking them to grant Weddington the authority to become a municipal fire district.  They asked that the Commissioners act on this resolution at their Monday, Oct. 17th meeting in Monroe.  At the same time Craig Horn was asked to actively pursue legislation to protect Weddington’s right to declare itself a municipal fire district.

If the County does not take action on Oct. 17th, the town is prepared to “just do it” and go it alone to become a municipal fire district, protect the residents of Weddington and set a quality of fire service that is higher than anywhere else in Union County.

It’s been a long road of highs and lows, but in the end our town council have done the right thing to look out for public safety and protect our homes and families.  I’ve asked you to send many emails demanding action, and now I ask you to send them an email congratulations them on this action!  I’m proud to be a resident of Weddington!!

If you are available and have an interest to voice your opinion at the County Commissioner meeting on October 17th it will begin at 7PM in Monroe.  I’ll be there and would love to have some support.

At the June 13th town council meeting – The Weddington town council, led by motion of Werner Thomisser,  unanimously voted to NOT fund 450K needed to upgrade the Providence VFD and provide adequate safety for an overnight staff. They also modified, at the last moment, funding for hourly firefighter pay, FICA tax, workman’s comp, and training bonuses from an approved amount of 293K to 236.5K.  That’s a combined reduction of 506.5K!!!  Our station will now have a shortfall of over 56K to cover salaries and taxes for daytime staff.

I must add that our mayor, Nancy Anderson, was visibly shaken with the council vote.  She was in favor of funding the station and alarmed at the sudden reversal of support at the last moment.

The town had given a verbal approval to this funding, but when push came to shove they decided against this. Werner Thomisser said it’s not “cost effective”.  WHAT!?!  The town is not short on money.  They have a reserve of over 2M.  But it appears the council, including Werner, feel public safety is expendable.  The town approved all other items on the budget including over 20K for a music festival.  Weddington is proud to offer entertainment to the community, but don’t have a fire or medical emergency after 6PM.

Sometimes in life it is nice to be able to speak ones mind.  This would be one of those times…

WE, as a community must mobilize NOW to support our fire station and the services we so dearly need.  I have pledged my time to help.  OUR fire station needs to know that it is supported by the community.  The fire fighters at Providence VFD need to know that you appreciate them and want them to continue to be here.  The town of Weddington needs to know WE care and want 24/7 fire and EMT coverage AND WANT THEM TO FUND CRITICAL SAFETY SERVICES.

A lot of misinformation has been floating around.  The bottom line is that our safety is at risk and the town shouldn’t be playing with that at any cost. Not ONE dime should go to entertainment until public safety is satisfied.

Log on to http://townofweddington.com/town-government/town-council/ and send Nancy and the council a message.  (I’d like to hope you will tell them what a mistake they have made and demand that they support the station as a matter of public safety.)  I need your help so if you are willing, reply to this message and let me know.

The firefighters at the station are upset as well they should be.  It was an insult for Werner to tell everyone present that “Wesley Chapel can respond to any calls Providence has”.  Werner might just have spit in their faces with a remark like that.  Our firefighters are professionals… some with 30 years of professional experience.  They have dedicated their lives to help us during times of extreme stress.  We are PROUD of them!!

Why should you care?  Because if no one is staying overnight at the station when a call comes in, there will be a wait time for enough firefighters to arrive at the station to drive the trucks and respond to your call.  Here in Providence Woods South we do not have fire hydrants.  A few minutes could mean the difference between saving a house or watching it burn.  It could also make a difference in saving a life.

Werner seems to think Wesley Chapel is capable of handling all our emergencies.  I’d like to not have to test his theory at my house!

There is a Weddington town council meeting scheduled for Aug 8th at 7PM. Mark your calendars to attend this meeting!!

DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO STAND UP FOR VITAL SERVICES

At 5PM – Special meeting between council and Providence VFD board.  The public CAN be present, but will not be allowed to join in the discussions.

At 7PM – Regular Board meeting.  Citizens will have the opportunity to talk directly to our council and mayor.  You’ll have 3 minutes to make your comments.

The town is supporting a merge between Wesley Chapel and Providence fire departments.  This is the EASY action to take, but very, VERY bad for our town and the citizens.

If this is allowed to happen, Weddington will never, EVER again have control over vital emergency services!  It would be like handing the baby (vital services) over to someone else to raise and care for.  If Weddington it not interested in supporting vital services then why are we a town?  Why not just merge the town with Wesley Chapel?   Our town should be more than a social community.  We expect that the town will support a level of service which will protect our homes and families.  I hope that level of service continues to support 24/7 staffed coverage.  A service that benefits the ENTIRE town of Weddington!

This is OUR town.  We can sit back and ignore our responsibility to voice an opinion, or stand up for our homes and families.  The town is willing to hand over responsibility, they need US to tell them how wrong that is!