Peggy Swearingen is the only Fairfield County Councilwoman who has dared to speak out and emphasize the importance of life-saving EMS services, well-paid law enforcement, and the need for full-time firefighters to keep our citizens safe.
It’s clear that the current approach of deploying a single paid firefighter to a station from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., five days a week or less, is inadequate and fails to address the reality that most of the fires occur on holidays and weekends.
The public outcry for more first responders is met with silence from the council. It’s time for our council members – all of them – to act as diligent, accountable, very well paid ‘public servants’, not just talk about actions they never take.
The county’s financial debacles over the last three years are endless. We have millions of dollars in losses incurred in fines and fees and brand new multi-million dollar rec center that is not open full time – because there was never a demand for it – that could have easily funded full time firefighters in every district of Fairfield County.
The public needs to demand that our government and our representatives operate with competence, transparency, and integrity. It’s time for the entire council to prioritize the safety of the community over monuments built to themselves and unwise spending of millions and millions of dollars.
How many more lives must be lost and personal property destroyed before we see a change in our council members?
Jeff Schaffer
Lake Monticello
