Well, I was there, I just decided to not ask any questions, as I didn't know what other questions were going to be asked.  I was there to hear the facts on the financial issues that they were to bring to the table.  I didn't come to make any comments, I didn't come to ask any questions.  I came to be informed, and what I was informed of is that Mohawk had a plan for the financial aspect of the entire thing and REMS could only hand us the same information that they had in the past, how the ambulance squad started and their history, when they were planning on paying off their debts to the government.  Besides that, they had no long term plan, except to say that if they got the taxing district, they wouldn't see it as a permanent necessity and that they expected the amount of the tax to go down, something that I would challenge anyone to show me ANY tax at ANY time under ANY government that has gone down over time.  Mohawk came prepared, REMS didn't.

Quoted from Kevin March

Well, I was there, I just decided to not ask any questions, as I didn't know what other questions were going to be asked.  I was there to hear the facts on the financial issues that they were to bring to the table.  I didn't come to make any comments, I didn't come to ask any questions.  I came to be informed, and what I was informed of is that Mohawk had a plan for the financial aspect of the entire thing and REMS could only hand us the same information that they had in the past, how the ambulance squad started and their history, when they were planning on paying off their debts to the government.  Besides that, they had no long term plan, except to say that if they got the taxing district, they wouldn't see it as a permanent necessity and that they expected the amount of the tax to go down, something that I would challenge anyone to show me ANY tax at ANY time under ANY government that has gone down over time.  Mohawk came prepared, REMS didn't.

I agree! And IF Mohawk does not get rotterdam's emergency service contract....then the people of rotterdam get what they deserve and will have no room to complain in the future! The people of rotterdam are looking at a gift horse.....let's see how smart or dumbed down they really are! It's their call!!

Quoted from Kevin March

Well, I was there, I just decided to not ask any questions, as I didn't know what other questions were going to be asked.  I was there to hear the facts on the financial issues that they were to bring to the table.  I didn't come to make any comments, I didn't come to ask any questions.  I came to be informed, and what I was informed of is that Mohawk had a plan for the financial aspect of the entire thing and REMS could only hand us the same information that they had in the past, how the ambulance squad started and their history, when they were planning on paying off their debts to the government.  Besides that, they had no long term plan, except to say that if they got the taxing district, they wouldn't see it as a permanent necessity and that they expected the amount of the tax to go down, something that I would challenge anyone to show me ANY tax at ANY time under ANY government that has gone down over time.  Mohawk came prepared, REMS didn't.

Actually, they do have a long term plan  .. they have laid it out a number of times - including in
the report made public last year when the tax district was first proposed.   They have a very
sound long term plan.

Mohawk doesn't offer us the same level of service as REMS.  REMS has 4 ambulances on duty
in the town -- Mohawk "promises" only 1 ambulance to be stationed in Rotterdam.  REMS has
provided great service over the years -- and will continue to do so for many years to come.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

Actually, they do have a long term plan  .. they have laid it out a number of times - including in
the report made public last year when the tax district was first proposed.   They have a very
sound long term plan.

Mohawk doesn't offer us the same level of service as REMS.  REMS has 4 ambulances on duty
in the town -- Mohawk "promises" only 1 ambulance to be stationed in Rotterdam.  REMS has
provided great service over the years -- and will continue to do so for many years to come.

Their "long term plan" still depends on public money that does not need to be spent...

Mohawk has a fleet of 30 ambulances from which all the back up necessary can be drawn for the town housed ambulance...

Mohawk is a quality ems provider with a full spectrum of emergency services that REMS cannot offer...and will continue to do so
for many years to come because they are solvent.

All of the arguments put forth by the proponents of this tax are strictly emotional...ridiculously so in some cases.

Some have expressed their preference for REMS as a desire to have their own community ems...that they want someone from
Rotterdam to respond to them...someone they "know". Does anyone really believe that a patient in an emergency situation is
going to refuse emergency medical attention if they are not REMS...or ask the responders if they are from Rotterdam, and refuse
care if they are not?

Others try to claim that REMS delivers better service than Mohawk, which is simply not true...and they believe this only because
they want to keep REMS. Those who tell us of their experiences with REMS would tell us no different if Mohawk had been the
responder...the nature of such events naturally breeds gratitude and, ultimately, loyalty to the provider...not because it is REMS,
or Mohawk or any provider in particular...but because they were there when the patient needed them. I'm sure Mohawk could
produce many past patients who would express similar praise for their service and personnel. The truth is that the highlight of
commentary from REMS patients has been REMS "compassion" in not pursuing payment. In other words, they want a paid service
for free. For the record, Mohawk regularly writes off huge sums of money in uncollected accounts, especially where financial
hardship is involved...contrary to statements made by the capitalism bashers in this drama. Payment negotiations under these
circumstances should be between the user and the provider...not the user and the taxpayers.

Then there are the scare tactics...ems service would be diminished...Mohawk will establish a "monopoly"...and once they do, and
if service demand increases, they will charge the town more for service. What? If demand increases, they will adjust to that demand,
as they always have...and their profits will increase...which means revenues for the town will increase proportionately...and any need
for additional supplies, personnel, etc. would be financed by Mohawk, not taxpayers. It is precisely because Mohawk is FOR-PROFIT
that they make these investments in their business...to get returns on those investments...because it is run like a business...and
a successful one at that...which is why it is self-sustaining...unlike REMS...despite Tony Jasenki's false claims to the contrary.

And by the way Ron, the tax district wasn't proposed just last year...REMS has been pursuing this since at least 2001.

Quoted from gadfly

Their "long term plan" still depends on public money that does not need to be spent...

Mohawk has a fleet of 30 ambulances from which all the back up necessary can be drawn for the town housed ambulance...

And by the way Ron, the tax district wasn't proposed just last year...REMS has been pursuing this since at least 2001.

Of the 30 ambulances, Mohawk is only guaranteeing that 1 will be in the town  24/7/365  .. Mohawk's
"backups" are not housed in Rotterdam  but about 6 miles from the Rotterdam line in Schenectady.

EMS has been an issue for over a decade .. but I was referring to the report handed out last year (August
2009) in conjunction with the Tommasone administration attempt to put the tax district up for
referendum.
As for tax dollars to maintain a public service - we do it for police - we do it for fire - I have absolutely no
problem with doing it for ambulance.

BTW - since it was Mr Tommasone and the GOP who put the tax district on the table last year .. why
haven't we heard Mr. Salamone's position on the issue ??   Or is he waiting to see which way the wind
is blowing?

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

Of the 30 ambulances, Mohawk is only guaranteeing that 1 will be in the town  24/7/365  .. Mohawk's
"backups" are not housed in Rotterdam  but about 6 miles from the Rotterdam line in Schenectady.

EMS has been an issue for over a decade .. but I was referring to the report handed out last year (August
2009) in conjunction with the Tommasone administration attempt to put the tax district up for
referendum.
As for tax dollars to maintain a public service - we do it for police - we do it for fire - I have absolutely no
problem with doing it for ambulance.

BTW - since it was Mr Tommasone and the GOP who put the tax district on the table last year .. why
haven't we heard Mr. Salamone's position on the issue ??   Or is he waiting to see which way the wind
is blowing?

REMS can't even guarantee one ambulance at all times. How could they when they are commonly spotted outside of Rotterdam
and now servicing Duanesburg? Nothing you say will change the fact that REMS simply does not have the resources of Mohawk.
Mohawk has yet to house even a single ambulance in Rotterdam, yet they have always been there to back up REMS...which for
many years involved about half of all of REMS' dropped calls...but no one minds Mohawk when REMS does not respond. The fact is
no one can guarantee that REMS will respond with or without a tax district.

We spend tax dollars on police and fire because there is no other option. Period. That is not the case with ems.

And "BTW", Mr. Tommasone and the GOP tried to ram the tax through that little back door scheme known as a permissive
referendum as part of a political deal...in which they were screwed of course...and as soon as they realized that, they were able
to conveniently backtrack in the face of growing opposition. Where do you think the No New Tax Party got their name? It was this
tax behind the movement that sank those same Republicans.

Salamone favors the tax district and insists that he will defend his position in a debate with Wayne Calder...and it is Calder who
will not state his position...but the fact that his campaign sign is on Joe V.'s lawn makes it clear...there's no way it would be there
if he didn't at least claim to support the tax...he just doesn't have the cajones to admit it in an open public forum.

Why would Brian McGarry carry literature for Wayne if Wayne was for it? I don't know if I understand this all. Are you sure Calder is for this? It is pretty well known that Brian is for Wayne so this doesn't add up.

Quoted from GrahamBonnet

Why would Brian McGarry carry literature for Wayne if Wayne was for it? I don't know if I understand this all. Are you sure Calder is for this? It is pretty well known that Brian is for Wayne so this doesn't add up.

If that is the case, then I suspect that Calder is just going along with whoever he is with at any given moment. There is no doubt that
Calder will support this scam...Joe V. would not have his signs if he weren't at least TOLD that Calder supports it...that is why Joe V.
had signs on his lawn last year for the Republicans that supported the tax.

Are you a STALKER now Gadfly. You ride around town and gauge support or opposition for your "pet" issues by who has whose political signs up?  You are as kookie as advertised.  WOW!

Perhaps someone should ask FS if BM offered his help or if BM donated to FS's campaign....perhaps???

I personally wouldn't care what position rotterdam's town officials or candidates take on the ambulance issue. First....it is such a hot topic issue, that most will probably just avoid the subject. That was one major issue that sunk the last administration's election. It will and should be left up to the rotterdam residents.

Second....I hope the people of rotterdam are smart enough to not fall for the ridiculous scare and fear tactics that is typical of the liberal socialists. Ya know.....'there will be dead people in the streets'!

Find out how long it took for the fire trucks to get to the fire at 4 corners....ALL of them! Then find out how long it took them to get the fire hydrant to work properly!!!

Mohawk is clearly the best choice for rotterdam both medically and monetarily!!

Brian M is NOT backing Wayne. I just talked to him in person. So my facts were wrong and I stand corrected. Mea culpa.

REMS provides  4 "town housed ambulances" -- 24/7/365

Mohawk is only promising 1 "town housed ambulance -- 24/7/365.

That is a huge difference.

And Mohawk promised to keep a minimum number of ambulances in the City of Albany
24/7/365  and yet .. when that young boy was hit by a car in the Summer 2009 ... NOT ONE .. of those
promised ambulances was within the city limits.

The evidence is clear -- WE WANT TO KEEP OUR OWN TOWN  EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE and not take
chances with an outside firm.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

And Mohawk promised to keep a minimum number of ambulances in the City of Albany
24/7/365  and yet .. when that young boy was hit by a car in the Summer 2009 ... NOT ONE .. of those
promised ambulances was within the city limits.

If we don't give REMS a taxing district, we will have dead children in the streets.  Talk about fear mongering.

Quoted from 487

Are you a STALKER now Gadfly. You ride around town and gauge support or opposition for your "pet" issues by who has whose political signs up?  You are as kookie as advertised.  WOW!

Yes, you psycho...I look for homes located directly across from mall entrances and assume it's Joe Vs house...you moron.
You better call Duncy again you obsessed little cissy

Quoted from gadfly

Yes, you psycho...I look for homes located directly across from mall entrances and assume it's Joe Vs house...you moron.
You better call Duncy again you obsessed little cissy