West Manatee Fire Rescue

David Ambut

Bradenton

The West Manatee Fire District's fire tax has been defeated for the third time. It is past time to take a hard look at alternatives to increased taxes for the fire district. What is needed for the safety of the citizens in the West Manatee Fire District is for the county and the fire district to work together in finding a solution to the "two in, two out" mandate.

Consolidation of fire district resources and personnel should provide the personnel for manning the fire teams to accommodate the "two in, two out" mandate. Firefighting teams could further be strengthened by the county allowing cross-trained paramedics (paramedics trained as both firefighters and paramedics) to serve as backups to firefighters entering a burning building.

For the county to cross-train paramedics as firefighters and then ban them from providing backup for a three-man fire team is criminal, in my opinion. If paramedics who accompany fire teams on fire calls are not occupied with patient care on the scene, they should certainly be allowed to provide the backup for the "two in, two out" firefighting. Paramedics backing up firefighters would allow two firefighters to enter a burning building to fight the fire while having one firefighter outside with two firefighter-trained paramedics providing support - making for a "two in and three out" effective and safe firefighting team. Let's put the safety of the citizens ahead of local politics.

Richard V. Francis
Anna Maria

How interesting to see the "then and now" pictures of the old Methodist Church in Saturday's Herald, especially since the congregation is celebrating its 155th anniversary. Actually, this is the third sanctuary in which the congregation worships and was built in 1887.

It was founded in 1849 as a Methodist society in a union congregation with nine charter members. When the county seat was moved to Pine Level in 1866, the Methodist Episcopal Church bought the first courthouse on Courthouse Square, added a steeple and went to church at its present location until the third 1887 building.

When a fourth sanctuary was needed in 1974, both buildings were donated to the Historic Commission for preservation in the Historic Park and are open to the public.

Norma R. Carter
Bradenton

It's funny how people like to complain and don't get involved in their own community. I have lived in a park, with about 700 homes, for 15 years. We elect board members to try to do the best they can with our money. They have hired two different managers since we bought this so-called senior, adult community. In 15 years, maintenance fees have gone from $40 to $91 a year, and my property value has depreciated. I have made a lot of improvements: new windows, carpet, roof, painting, tented for termites three times; and not much value increase.

I have turned in many written suggestions/complaints but got no written answers. Most of the people I know voted Tuesday, but won't get involved in their own community. Is this true in your community?

My best friend loves to complain, but won't get involved. It's weird. I've asked for a "profit and loss" statement, but do you think I'll get a reply?

Jim Barron
Bradenton

In response to the letter from Jean Comegys in Saturday's letters column on the definition of "liberal," let me begin by saying I completely agree. The real answer lies in the dictionary where it defines "socialism," an accurate definition of the ultra-left's mantra, in my opinion, as follows: "In Marxist-Leninist theory, the building of the material base for communism under the dictatorship of the proletariate." Only this mindset can explain the rabid push by the Kerry, Kennedy, McAuliffe cabal to move the populace to complete dependence upon the federal government for its very survival. One need only look at North Korea to observe the horrific end point of that philosophy. In fact, every time the term "liberal" is used to describe the philosophy of the modern Democratic Party, it is unwittingly masking the true aim of the party.

Doug Reiff
Bradenton

I now know that Florida is the on-line state; I just can't remember if I'm on line for plywood, flu shots or voting. When we were told we might be able to vote on-line, I must admit, I pictured something completely different.

Tom Durante
Bradenton

People who want to know what happened to their jobs should look at the labels and tags of any and all goods flooding the stores of the United States. Most say "made in China." They don't say "made in communist China," and I guess it won't make any difference to most shoppers because they advertise for these big companies that are selling America out for the big dollar profit. These companies close plants and lay off so they can get their goods made by a country that kills and enslaves its own people. The companies and the officials who let them trade with communist China cannot be among the freedom-loving people of the United States. Democrats as well as Republicans are guilty of all this outsourcing jobs to a country that is against freedom for all.

It is really upsetting that we close our doors to communist Cuba but open our doors wide to communist China. How many of your people have had family members and friends die fighting communism? Not only is the outsourcing wrong but also all the materials being sent to China is wrong. China is getting richer and stronger. In the long run we will pay.