We recently asked the voters to approve a mill-levy increase and promised that in 10 years we would retire our current debt and continue to provide the level of service we currently are providing. We are currently expanding Station 5 at the entrance to Forest Lakes to man a third station within our fire district, which will actually improve our service to the taxpayers. In the 12 years I have been on the board, we have gone from an all-volunteer fire department with some EMTs and ambulances, (but could not transport to the hospital), to an all-hazards department providing fire protection, EMS service and technical rescue as well as ambulance transport to the hospital with two stations manned 24/7 and working on a third. We now have more than 20 full-time employees and numerous part-time.

If you like the way your fire department is going, I would ask for your support for Bill Kourim and I in the upcoming election.

Roger Pennington

Bayfield