I am writing this letter today to ask the citizens of Buckley to support Proposition 1 on the April 27 ballot. Proposition 1 is a bond measure to build a new fire station for our community.

The current fire station is almost 60 years old and our community needs have outgrown what it can provide. In 1950 the population of Buckley was only 1,474 and today our population has tripled to 4,260. In 1950 there were only 22 firefighters and less than 50 calls; today there are 48 firefighters and over 1,100 calls per year.

I think the citizens of Buckley should also know how hard their fire department works at being fiscally responsible with their tax dollars. The last time the fire department placed a bond measure on the ballot was in 1950 for the construction of the current fire station. The department has purchased fire engines, aid cars and equipment by planning for the future and allocating money out of the operating budget each year.

Fire Chief Alan Predmore has also done an outstanding job in obtaining available grant money. In the last 12 years the fire department has received over $325,000 in grants. Add charitable donations the department has received and the number jumps to over $500,000. This grant money has been used to purchase EMS equipment, bunker gear, communications equipment, training materials and self-contained breathing apparatus.

Some of you may be wondering why you are being asked to approve a bond measure while we are in the middle of a recession? The answer is simple: the cost of construction is down and so is the cost of financing. By voting “yes” on Proposition 1 now, we as the taxpayers will get the best bang for our buck.

Support your community and vote “yes” on Proposition 1.

Ken Whitmore

Citizens for a Safer Buckley Committee