'Crash tax' explanation still unclear
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Editor,
I read a guest editorial written by R. Jack Clapp on behalf of the Polson Rural Fire District Board of Trustees and their decision to implement a "Crash Tax". The statements he made made me rethink my position.
First he says there is a small group complaining; well, I am one who is complaining, but not a member of a group so maybe there are more than Jack thinks. I know they have avoided either disclosing details of their plan or asking for a public vote on the matter, so "small group" to him sounds like an error in judgment.
He says a rescue truck was paid for by the firefighters rather than the taxpayers; this could be true. I looked up the price of a used 6-year-old pumper, and it cost $120,000. I am not sure of the number of firefighters, but let's say 20 were involved. That means each one contributed $6,000. Maybe so, but no details were provided, and if it is true, these guys make way more than I do.
Thirdly, Jack says communities who have had these charges report they are fully paid for by the insurance companies, and there has been no increase in insurance rates; for this to be true it must be that the good will of the insurance industry is responsible for them paying out claims and eating the loss. Hopefully I don't have those unnamed companies stock, because they will soon be out of business. Also the generic 'they' is used, but since he does not name the communities to which he refers, his statement is bluster.
Lastly, he says most crash responses are because of persons who pay no taxes in this community, and the board decided it was fair to ask those people to pay their share. Now I agree that if we could discourage people who pay no taxes from coming here, all would be well.
And as to the insurance companies paying without raising costs; why, if we can get this program into healthcare, lawsuits, defaulted loans, house fires or lots of other areas I think Jack will be popular enough to run for president. Or, since he and his fellow board members are elected, I can replace them at the next election and the 'crash tax' issue will be moot.
Rich Bell
Polson
