Spotlight Editorial by Kelly Rhinesmith:

Quoted from Admin

Spotlight Editorial by Kelly Rhinesmith:

I am hitting the like button over and over again!  Great
article!!!

Quoted from littlesal

how about that pretty handout they just got in the form of taxpayer paid for ambulances?  would no contract w/ town violate terms of that grant? would they have to give back money?

if they have deeds to the properties - it will be a drawn out mess for mohawk to purchase one of those properties.  

rotterdam will continue on in its stand still, no vision for future

vote goes

calder, martin, godlewski(trying to save political career) in favor of REMS
FDG - Mohawk
Dileva - absent or abstains     - Lets see your champion of the people stand up for the taxpayer now  

        Wouldn't that type of vote cost them their political career after the resounding defeat of the Ambulance District Referendum??

We can only hope.

good article Kelly

WOW!  Kelly slay'ed em.  No wonder Joe Sig is looking to defect to the Dems.  And I won't be surprised that the rest that were involved in this defect either.  If there is any legal repercussions for this theft, it would be in the guilty parties best interest to join the party that controls the local and state government.  Since those will be the people investigating, prosecuting and judging the alleged transgressions.

Run for cover!

WELL.....this article just about summed it all up! It appears that it should have never even reached this point. This entire issue of rems has cost rotteram taxpayers a bundle. It's like throwing hundreds of thousands of dollars out the window. And for what?

So now, after hundreds of thousands of taxpayer's dollars are gone, it has come down to 5 people in a room to choose between a dysfunctional tax spending ambulance service and a successful,private, independent reliable one that will not use taxpayer's money and add to the tax base.

It WILL be political suicide for anyone who doesn't approve the later. And there is clearly enough blame to go around....past an present.

Law suit?

Quoted from bumblethru

Law suit?

I don't know exactly what legal implications will arise from the ALS scandal...but I know that my own research has turned up a
medical malpractice suit against REMS...they were served just days before the tax vote....unfortunately I didn't find out about it
until after last Friday's deadline for the Spotlight.

Quoted Text

Frank Salamone, an attorney representing REMS, questioned why Mohawk is now offering to bill paramedic calls for free. Officials from the company previously indicated that they would charge the town about 7 percent of the bill for paramedic service.

because they have the TECHNOLOGY to do it easily and trackable....

so should be a good meeting then

it will be TOP SECRET according to mr godlewski

there will be contract discussions  - you know, demanding an executive session

you would think the Town Board would be learning the inner workings of an ambulance company and how they bill NYS and insurance companies

when all they will be discussing between themselves is who to choose and why - the why is the secret part as logic was checked at the door

it is not like this selection process will directly effect the stock price of either company

then there will be "dog show" of all those who have had a good/bad experience with both companies in typical Rotterdam fashion

followed by the motion, then the question, a couple of statements by the board members and finally the calling of the roll

and

just when you though this was over  - it wont be

Quoted Text

Rotterdam shouldn’t be so quick to lose REMS

    It is time for the residents of Rotterdam to stand up for the agency that has provided compassionate and exemplary emergency medical services for many years. They are in danger of being forced out [April 7 Gazette].
    Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services [REMS] has evolved into the top-notch emergency medical provider it is today with hard work, dedication and the drive to serve their community. They are totally capable of continuing to handle the emergency medical needs of Rotterdam.
    From personal experience, I can say without hesitation that these dedicated providers are always professional, but also kind and compassionate. They give their all to their fellow townsfolk.
    There are many elderly and disabled residents who may take a fall or need assistance. REMS responds with a smile and a kind word, and does not charge.
    I had the experience of being taken to the hospital by another ambulance service. I was sorely disappointed, as I was treated coldly and mechanically when a kind word would have put me at ease.
    Please allow the residents of Rotterdam to continue to have the compassionate services REMS provides.

    PATRICIA ALEXANDRE
    Rotterdam

http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00705&AppName=1

Gee, I thought we already voted on this?

I'm sure if Mohawk was the "other" ambulance the writer would have been sure to criticize them specifically...just as the outfit she defends has
done....I don't even believe she ever used "another" service...why would she if she knew REMS would respond for free???

These are the same irrelevant, emotional arguments we have been hearing all along....and the same misleading statements of "many years of
service"...REMS didn't even exist until about six years ago. How pathetic to argue that REMS "doesn't charge"...that's always been one of their
biggest problems....the obvious belief that ambulance service should be free.

There's no such thing as a free lunch or a free ambulance service. The town supported the volunteer ambulance service along with donations collected by the fire departments who housed them. The service was never free.