EDITOR,

What happens if we don’t keep Ben Lomond Fire Department up-to-date? Is there a possibility that the fire district resources could be redistributed to other districts? It’s happened before.

I have been a resident of Ben Lomond all my life. I am the daughter of a 30-year veteran of the Ben Lomond volunteer firefighting force and the proud wife of another volunteer firefighter who responded to the most calls this last year.

As a child, I sat on the patio of the fire house sipping on Shirley Temples bought from Henfling’s. I competed in the youth bucket brigades at Fireman Musters. I babysat for many firefighter families during functions and flipped pancakes on the grill at the annual Fourth of July pancake breakfasts. I was here during the 1982 Love Creek slides and for the 1989 earthquake.

Ben Lomond has a huge place in my heart. It’s why we came back when my husband was honorably discharged from the Navy. It’s why I’m trying with all my ability to stay here, even with the increasing cost of living. I know what it means to remember Ben Lomond as it was. But I also know what Ben Lomond is and what it has the potential to be. Ben Lomond Market and Scarborough Home Center were both rebuilt beautifully.

A lot of things have changed, and they will continue to do so. It’s time to rebuild our fire department before it’s too late.

So join me and vote yes on Measure S. Let’s not stop and just remember. Let’s continue to make memories and move forward; continue to build Ben Lomond so that our children can have those same happy and fond memories we had the chance to experience.

I have complete confidence in this community, in our fire department and in our fire districts’ commissioners, and I completely support Measure S. I hope you will, too.