Viewpoints
NTVFD/I was wrong
By Mary Henrikson
January 09, 2007
Tuesday PM
I received a phone call from Steve Phillips, board member NTVFD,
telling me I was wrong about the $95K pay package, that might
be offered to a new full time employee of the North Tongass volunteer
Fire Dept. I also found out from Mr. Phillips the requirements
of a new employee, should a new employee be hired, would be in
fact quite high: fire fighter I and EMT II. the pay for such
talent might run between $71-77K for the package which includes
medical, retirement and other aspects required by State Law.
I was also told my "real" rate would be an increase
of about 19%, not 100% because of a property tax millage decrease.
In addition, if the insurance rating of the department goes
up and all things remain equal my insurance rates might go down
quite a bit. This is better news.
I was grateful for the information, which tempers the frustration
when citizens see taxes and fees go up, borough wages go up,
all the while new employees are added at a time when the population
is decreasing. To help fill the tax rolls, so we can afford
such luxury, we new private jobs and private industry. Part of
the above mentioned frustration relates to businesses not being
able to make it here, like the Airporter, because of increased
fees. I could see people leaving town, taking their business
plans with them, because of increased costs on everything from
permits to insurance, all required by law.
Thank you for this forum, I
got the information I wanted and I got to share my frustration.
Mary Henrikson
Ketchikan, AK
Received January 08, 2007 - Published January 09, 2006
About: "long time resident"
Related Viewpoint:
 NTVFD
Fee Increase By Mary Henrikson - Ketchikan, AK
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