I've been through that poor old fire station and it's just as sad as the police station was when it was there. Please support our firefighters!!!

NO BRAINER !!!! VOTE YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

90% ...Yes ...thats a good sign even though only 11 people have voted ....the one that voted no probably lives in a tent !!!

Mike,
I voted no today and will vote no in November. Yes, I do go camping, but do not LIVE in a tent. :-) This will not be a popular post and I certainly hope my house doesn't catch on fire, but someone has to say it. How short memories are! Do you remember 2 years ago when the town "asked" the fire department to change their shifts to save $300,000? How many of the firemen spoke before the council that the Town of Middletown did not respect them, blah, blah, blah! I did a little research and addressed the council. I found that 55% of the fire stations in this country work the shift the council was asking for; this wasn't anything new by any means. Know how many in RI? Zero! I also mentioned that Westerly has an all-volunteer fire department and they get along fine. I am NOT anti-fireman, just a realist. I'd love to put in a new kitchen in my home, but at present, cannot come close to affording it. Our taxes are going up, up, up. It has to stop sometime. Why do you think so many municipal retirees move out-of-state while collecting their generous pensions! I also have 2 main questions about the bond issue:
1.) How will this $7.5M expenditure help in response times or improve the quality of life in Middletown?
2.) I don't buy that the navy money will pay for the bond issue. What else could that money be used for that would benefit the most people?

Approval of Question #8 will not raise property taxes. An existing 50 year contract for providing public safety services to navy housing presents a restricted revenue source for repayment of this bond. (these funds are also repaying the bond for the new police department facility).

Hey John, how many of that 55% you referenced were combination departments, meaning both EMS and Fire. The number is much much lower. Im not a middletown firefighter but know a lot on the issue. THE FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT IS ALREADY PAID FOR!!!!! Go back to your tent...

I vote with a resounding YES! This is a no brainer and the plan for its funding is appropriate and well documented. There is nothing more precious to our community than its safety and education services. This is a big check "yes" in the safety column! Let's do this people.

John, I applaud you're he size of your backbone speaking out against the majority. Also I respect your vote of "no" to question 8. All I ask is that before you vote no, please take the time and effort to speak to Chief Doire about how this new station will be beneficial to the town. Take a trip to the current fire station, and look at its condition. See it to believe it. Then ask the firefighters how they saved more than the $300000 the 56 hour work week would have been in concessions. Compare Middletown to Middletown, not to Newport, Westerly, or some place in California etc. Take the time/effort as I did to get to know the facts. Then make your call. Don't worry about what catastrophe could happen to you in te future, because regardless of your vote Chief Doire and the Middletown Firefighters WILL ALWAYS support you.

I have been to the station many times and it is as bad the Police Station was ....(it is the same building) ....For Example: The fire marshal works out of a closet. Let's go back 2 years ago when the Council asked to change shifts to attempt to save 300,000 ...... The firefighters through negotiations were able to still save the town the same amount of money that they were looking to save to begin with.

Yes, take care of those who take care of you.

How about we do a minor renovation on the order of a few hundred thousand dollars, maybe even a million bucks and use the rest to provide additional funding to pay for existing public safety. Maybe then we could actually lower our taxes instead of keeping them from going up. After all, if the money is being collected for public safety support of the former Navy housing, then why isn't it paying for its share of the existing costs? Or did we make an idiotic 50 year deal that the money could only be used for paying off loans for public safety buildings?

Q. What will approval of Question #8 do for Middletown?
A. Middletown is seeking voter approval of Question #8 for a general obligation bond to fund the construction of a building addition and major renovation of the existing Wyatt Road Fire Station facility. This project will include renovation of the vacant police station for use by Staff and Director of Public Works, Recycling Coordinator, Town Engineer and Director of Parks and Recreation.

Q. How will this Bond be repaid?
A. This bond will be repaid by using an existing non tax revenue source.

Q. What is the source of this revenue?
A. In 2006, Middletown entered into a 50 year contract, that provided $1,015,666 in restricted funds towards operating and/or capitalization costs associated with providing public safety services in FY2012. This contract, which also is repaying the bond for the new Police Department facility, allows Middletown to invest in its public safety infrastructure without placing additional financial hardship on our residents and businesses.

The first open house at Middletown Fire and Department of Public Works facility will be on Thursday October 3rd from 6:30 - 8:00 PM. Please feel free to stop by and see why this project is needed.

Vote YES - money well spent!

I've had to use EMS and the Middletown Fire Department many times and wish they are always alert and ready for everyone that needs them here on this island. I've ran Alert Forces in the military and know continued use means continued support, maintenance, material backup, and trained men and women for this professional job. We demand the best and we should have to pay for the best.

"Upon Further Review" (what Green Bay needed in week 3): OK, I have followed up on this issue and found that the money from the Navy must go toward public safety. I asked the question to the right people. That being said, I would gladly support the bond issue since it will be paid for by federal monies. Just wondering what happens when we need new equipment like trucks, etc. So, Mike, I will crawl back into my tent.

LOL ..John ...glad you looked into it.....we are all looking out for the best for the PEOPLE of Middletown .......and the community in general ...NOT for the politicians pockets !!!

PS ...I may want to borrow the tent to go camping ...

John G, Thank you for asking questions and looking at the issue objectively. Middletown has worked hard at creating sound financial practices to help ensure that critical infrastructure and equipment is purchased, maintained and replaced when no longer fit for emergency service. There is an established fund to purchase new equipment when it is needed. The rescue service provides the revenue for this fund, not property taxes.
The fire department welcomes visitors and will always find time to talk with residents about anything that concerns them.
Ask to talk with the fire chief, he will be happy to meet with you.

For anyone who is interested in learning more about the fire station project:
On Thursday, October 18th 2012 beginning at 6:00 PM, there will be an “Approve Question 8 Public Rally” at the Atlantic Beach Club. The primary purpose of this event is to provide information about the Middletown Fire Station/Public Works Renovation Project and the bond referendum on the November 6th ballot that will fund it. This will also be an opportunity to rally support and share new ideas to help increase awareness about the need to approve Question 8.
This FREE event is open to all Middletown voters/residents. The Atlantic Beach Club is generously providing space at their beautiful seaside restaurant and providing a free buffet. There will be a cash bar. Any donations to Friends of Middletown Fire Station Association will be gladly accepted.
We will also use this opportunity to publicly thank the people who have supported The Friends of Middletown Fire Station Association and efforts to help promote the approval of Middletown Bond Question 8 on November 6th.
Please make an effort to attend, get informed about the issue, show your support and enjoy some refreshments with friends and neighbors.

“Approve Question 8 Public Rally”
Atlantic Beach Club
55 Purgatory Road, Middletown
Thursday, October 18th
Start time: 6:00 PM
R.S.V.P. by Monday October 15th
info@Approve8.org or (401) 225-5656

The next Middletown Fire Station & DPW Renovation Project Presentation
(Question 8)
October 22, 2012 6:00pm
Location: Madeira Hall (St. George's High School Campus)
Everyone is welcome to attend

I will definitely vote yes after researching the issue. The money from the Fedeal Government must go to public safety, so now it's a no-brainer. Mike, it's getting too damn cold so I have to crawl out of my tent. :-)

LOL John ..enjoy the warmth of your house .....