THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 30, 1995 TAG: 9507290101
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
I am very concerned that the Windsor Volunteer Rescue Squad has been singled out for harassment by the Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors and area media.
Last year, Windsor purchased an ambulance from MedTec, based in Indiana, at a cost of $59,000. There was much talk of how the squad was bypassing its hometown ambulance manufacturer, Robinson Ambulances. Many incorrect and inflammatory statements were printed by some newspapers. As a result, Windsor was penalized in several ways.
First, the Town of Windsor eliminated (but has since fully reinstated) funding for the squad. Second, the county eliminated the squad's yearly operating budget, which was needed for the squad to survive without a reduction in service. Annual donations are insufficient to keep the squad open. Third, the county removed funding for the squad under the 5-year Capital Improvement Plan. These funds were supposedly guaranteed in 1994 through 1999. Fourth, the county reduced Windsor's ``Two for Life'' funding, monies which are collected from vehicle registrations.
Just recently, since Windsor contracted with Robinson Ambulances to provide a new chassis for an existing unit, has the county reinstated the squad's operating budget, but at a reduced level of support, and is currently late with the second quarterly payment since reinstatement.
All these things were done to ``punish'' the squad, but really, 8,000 citizens of lower Isle of Wight County have been punished, all because of the squad's desire to provide the community with what they thought was appropriate to the mission.
Meanwhile, Nansemond-Suffolk Volunteer Rescue Squad has purchased their last two ambulances from Wheeled Coach of Florida. Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad, based in Smithfield, has recently purchased a MedTec, total cost $72,000. Not in one newspaper has any mention been made of this, and the county seems to approve. Isle of Wight's funding has not been eliminated or reduced, nor have they suffered any loss in the Capital Improvement Plan. Not one citizen has cried foul. Robinson Ambulances is also silent.
It is time to let Windsor Volunteer Rescue Squad off the hook.
Alan W. Rose
Walters Highway
Carrsville Not qualified
Regarding the article in Sunday's paper, ``Home on the Range, Gunning for a permit'': I, as a firearms instructor, do not feel that three hours and $30 qualifies anybody to carry a firearm under the new state law.
Police officers have to attend an approved course that contains more than 40 hours of intense training. They have to pass with a minimum score and then the department they work for requires them to qualify at least two times a year. The department that I work for even requires that we qualify higher than the minimum state requirement.
Yes, if you have guessed, I am a police officer, and I am concerned for my safety and that of my family when for $30 and three hours somebody tells a judge that they are qualified to carry a firearm.
I am sure that this was not the intent of the lawmakers, but I do not and cannot explain their intent, nor can anybody else.
K.W. McLendon
Chesapeake by CNB