Comments on: SFD June 6 Budget and Special Business Meeting Minutes

By: Abe Koniarsky

Abe Koniarsky — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 19:35:49 +0000

I have been following all of these entries and wonder if people are aware of the fact that if there is any move for any consolidation, it will have to go to the voters for approval. That’s what happened when Cornville joined the Verde Valley Fire District and the same will apply here in the SFD. So, let’s cool off, stop these rumors and be civil with each other.

Abe Koniarsky
VOC

By: Wanna Bet Me?

Wanna Bet Me? — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 23:23:14 +0000

Josh, First of all, Hazime is NOT the President, even though there is a slight resemblance. Rest assured that the President was vetted and if not, between the Secret Service, FBI, CIA and Homeland Security Security, that issue would have been resolved BEFORE he took office and became a Senator. So, you are comparing apples to oranges. This is NOT a conspiracy theory. Would it REALLY take that much of an effort for Hazime to squash that rumor? If he plans to run for reelection on the SFD Governing Board and expect to be elected, he will have to clarify where he stands on this issue.

If you look at some of the individuals who were candidates for the Republican Presidential slate, they either dropped out or denied the allegations being made against them. Why is Hazime going to be an exception? What are you afraid of? The taxpayers in the SFD have the RIGHT to know!

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 22:50:57 +0000

Wanna bet me? … did you believe the President when he showed his birth certificate? Why does Hazime need to respond to a rumor that someone else started and that you continue to circulate. Conspiracy theories are for the tinfoil hat crowd.

By: Eric in the VOC

Eric in the VOC — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 21:34:02 +0000

Dick, if that’s the case why doesn’t SFD Governing Board member Hazime shut that rumor off by stating that he has no intention of taking his old job back, since we have a very competent fire chief?

By: Dick in the VOC

Dick in the VOC — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 19:37:29 +0000

Eric, the only reason that the rumor even exists is because of people like you and “wanna bet me”. We all know that any consolidation involving the whole Sedona Fire District makes no sense. You apparently seem to have no problem with the discussions of consolidating Sedona Fire dispatch with Cottonwood. Sedona then will lose control of the quality control, as well as have to battle the combined Police dispatching for priority. Stop the scare tactics and spend your time getting educated about the true issues. Chief Hazime has 3 very intelligent and responsible Board members serving with him who will make decisions that are in the best interest of the Sedona Fire District, not the interest of one individual. You ought to try that approach yourself.

By: Eric in the VOC

Eric in the VOC — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:07:55 +0000

I agree with the fact that consolidation of fire districts has been discussed for several years. But the reason why this rumor seems to be more credible is that Chief Hazime would most probably like to get his old job back, plus be the chief for other neighboring fire districts. Wouldn’t it be much simpler if he were to deny the rumor, once and for all, and reassure the SFD taxpayers that he has NO intention of doing that? If he expects to run for reelection on the SFD Governing Board this November and win, he must do that! Don’t you think?

By: I'll Take that Bet!

I'll Take that Bet! — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 23:42:10 +0000

I will be the first to get in line. Please give me your $$$$, I can see an organizations like Clarkdale Fire or even Montezuma Rim Rock wanting to consolidate with Verde Valley Fire District. It only makes sense to help bring cost down merging smaller organizations. There has been discussions of consolidation for 10 years with the above mention organization. Please bring something new to the table besides scare tactics. Oh ya bring the money you’re wagering also.

By: Wanna Bet Me?

Wanna Bet Me? — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 18:33:08 +0000

Anyone want to lay any bets on this?

For the past several months there were rumors circulating that the reason why Verde Valley Fire District (VVFD) Chief Hazime was running for the SFD board was to position himself to become, once again, the SFD Chief. That rumor was circulating during the last recall election. Once again, that rumor is now circulating in the email circuit, but this time it’s being stated that Chief(now also SFD board member) Hazime wants to become the fire Superchief. Supposedly, his intention is to convince the rest of the SFD board to consolidate services with the VVFD, get rid of or demote the present chief and take his old job back. Once he has accomplished that, he will step down as SFD board member. The only individual who can gain from that action is Chief Hazime himself? By becoming the Fire Chief for both districts( and possibly many others), he would expect a hefty increase in his salary. What gain will there be for the SFD taxpayers?

We have the lowest mil rate than any of our adjoining districts, our properties are assessed at a higher level, we have more fire stations, a larger number of fire and EMS rolling stock, as well as newer pieces of equipment, and we cover the largest square mileage in the area. In addition, we are the envy of the surrounding fire districts. Why on earth would we want to consolidate with a smaller district with fewer amount of stations, older equipment, no fire ambulances and transport, much higher mil rate, and lower property assessments? We, the SFD taxpayers, would be subsidizing the VVFD, and any other neighboring districts that would be part of this consolidation. It just does NOT pencil out! Thanks to the actions of the previous board, we now have a highly qualified, educated and energetic fire chief who is NOT retired on the job, who has a good grasp of his organization and it’s financial components.

The recalled SFD board members have been attending all of the VVFD board meetings (and will definitely attend all of the future VVFD meetings till election day, November 2, 2012) monitoring Chief Hazime’s and his board’s actions regarding any desire to consolidate with the SFD.

If this is ONLY a rumor, all VVFD Chief/SFD board member Hazime has to do is come out, state clearly and unequivocally that he has no intentions of becoming the Superchief in our immediate area (specially the SFD). If it’s only a rumor, it would vanish in an instant! But, if it’s NOT a rumor, he will take NO action denying this? What action do you think he will take? Anyone want to lay any bets on this?