My Thoughts on New Ambulance Asked For In Lebanon, Maine

I’ve read a story recently in the September 9th, 2009 issue of the Weekly Observer about how the selectmen in Lebanon Maine must choose to either place an signature-certified local citizens initiative asking voters permission for the town’s rescue services to buy a new ambulance to replace a clunker one they’ve now on the ballot this November or next June during scheduled referendum elections. I feel that selectmen should place this issue before voters now rather than later.

Relying on clunker emergency vehicles for citizen services is a risky or even deadly gamble with someone’s life that needs to use the service. Imagine being transported in an ambulance as a patient with a life threatening medical condition that is a clunker and having the vehicle breakdown midway to the hospital. Why, then, will not Lebanon see the importance of having reliable ambulances to care for their citizens medical needs? Governments and their citizens have a duty I feel to provide dependable ambulances for themselves if want their medical emergencies handled as good as possible.

Lebanon needs a better ambulance now or the citizen’s action would have never been successful, the selectmen must answer this call (ASAP) in put the measure on the ballot in November for voter decision.

Unfortunately this will be something that won't be important to most until its need. Instead of throwing it back to the Selectmen, how about chairing a fundraising committee for a new ambulance? Why does everything have to be a tax payer issue? Have some fun with it and raise some money!!