Quoted from CICERO

Mohawk did a MUCH BETTER JOB than REMS OR OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS informing the public prior to the vote.  Now we find out that REMS and our elected officials didn't make the residents aware that they APPLIED for a grant to purchase equipment.  I'm sure the REMS crowd didn't want the info getting out, showing how they contiue to have their hands in the taxpayers pockets.  Who filed the grant for REMS?  GP and Salamone?

I don't think that REMS deliberately held back the grant information. I'm sure they plunged forward hoping for a taxing district 'in case' they didn't receive the grant.

However, I do agree that it appears that there was false or lack of information given, since REMS stated that they needed the taxing district to not only stay afloat, but to acquire new equipment.

I also agree that the taxpayers of rotterdam received their information from Mohawk. REMS nor the rotterdam town board, gave reliable, factual and timely information regarding this whole fiasco.

Rotterdamians should also take notice, that they paid a 'chunk of change' to have this vote for a taxing district, that appears REMS really didn't need! The vote was an unnecessary, costly one. The past and present town board should have entered into a contract with BOTH services so the town could collect the $$$$ for ALS service.

This has all been for NOTHING!!

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

The problem with the Nattering Nayboobs of Negativity is that they cn not possibly say anything positive about
certain people or, in this case, a certain organization that they have decided is "evil.

Admit it, you folks have never been objective on the issue.   For some reason  (and I suspect a few of you
are being "taken care of" to be attack dogs), you folks want to destroy REMS.    Well, it won't work.   Too many
of us want REMS to stay and we wish it continued success for many years to come.

Nobody wants to destroy them.  I've said it before, if a family member or me need an ambulance, I would be more than happy to use the REMS and I would submit the claim to my insurance company and pay for the service provided.  I wouldn't expect "soft billing".  The fact that they can't say afloat with the advantages of non-profit status and basically a monopoly in Rotterdam is a problem.  It's been grossly mismanaged IMO.  Mohawk has to pay MUCH more in taxes than REMS and they are able to keep equipment up to date and pay for their operating expenses.  Why?

Since 9/11 there was always grant $$ coming down the pike....especially for 1st responders...it's a whole system and it is attached to a certain
degree to national healthcare too.....it is trickling in...but there are certificates/accredidations and foundations to be set.....pay attention....the tower
is getting taller....SHOW ME THE MONEY TRAIL......their idea of becoming the towns 'accredited' ambulance isn't their own.....

Quoted from senders

Since 9/11 there was always grant $$ coming down the pike....especially for 1st responders...it's a whole system and it is attached to a certain
degree to national healthcare too.....it is trickling in...but there are certificates/accredidations and foundations to be set.....pay attention....the tower
is getting taller....SHOW ME THE MONEY TRAIL......their idea of becoming the towns 'accredited' ambulance isn't their own.....

There was never any guarantee that they would get the grant money - until it was announced this January.
That is why we need a strong allies in Congress - like Paul Tonko - fighting to help us get every dollar of federal grants that we
can.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

There was never any guarantee that they would get the grant money - until it was announced this January.
That is why we need a strong allies in Congress - like Paul Tonko - fighting to help us get every dollar of federal grants that we
can.

you're wrong there....it's been in the machine since 9/11....it just took this long to 'grind out' as ground beef.....aged well,,,,so
well the general public forgets....I mean with cost of gas and groceries going up who can pay attention to the system changing
rails?.....do you really just go around singing muhna-muhna?

Quoted from senders

you're wrong there....it's been in the machine since 9/11....it just took this long to 'grind out' as ground beef.....aged well,,,,so
well the general public forgets....I mean with cost of gas and groceries going up who can pay attention to the system changing
rails?.....do you really just go around singing muhna-muhna?

Show me the proof that REMS was guaranteed the money on 9-11.    You can't because no specific entity was guaranteed any of those funds. They each had to write up grant proposals and compete with other entities for the funds.

Now REMS has gotten the grant --- and many folks are happy that they got it --- only the whiners and
loses are complaining about it.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

Show me the proof that REMS was guaranteed the money on 9-11.    You can't because no specific entity was guaranteed any of those funds. They each had to write up grant proposals and compete with other entities for the funds.

Now REMS has gotten the grant --- and many folks are happy that they got it --- only the whiners and
loses are complaining about it.

it's not all about the REMS.....apparently they think they were going to leverage themselves into 'privatized' business...Atlas Shrugged

Quoted from senders

it's not all about the REMS.....apparently they think they were going to leverage themselves into 'privatized' business...Atlas Shrugged

Ah -- so you folks spend a couple days bashing REMS for getting a federal grant .. but it is not all about
REMS ...  ... sure .. and I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

Ah -- so you folks spend a couple days bashing REMS for getting a federal grant .. but it is not all about
REMS ...  ... sure .. and I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

I'm glad they received a grant.....I'm glad they have an opportunity to function as a private business...I live in America and so
do you....now let's both give REMS a great big cheer....I never said they did a bad job....what I said was "I will NOT be the
well in which they dip to start themselves as a sole supplier/business. Not on my back."

BTW...it IS a bigger picture...national healthcare and first responders and homeland security and patriot act....please are you really
just living one square at a time? can you see the event horizon?

Quoted Text

ROTTERDAM
Federal grant will allow REMS to purchase new ambulances
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net.

    Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services Inc. will buy two new ambulances after securing a competitive federal fi rst responders grant.
    The not-for-profit ambulance company received $118,215 through a Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefi ghters grant to buy two new rigs to replace a pair that have high mileage. REMS was among 47 recipients in the state and among only three in the Capital Region.
    Schoharie County’s Central Bridge Fire District received $78,232 to make safety upgrades to its fire station, including a sprinkler system, commercial fi re alarm and diesel exhaust extraction system.
    The Oppenheim Volunteer Fire Company in Fulton County received $38,000 for operations and safety.
    “They have taken on added importance during this economic slowdown, providing much-needed dollars for departments which are struggling with budget issues,” said U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko in a statement announcing the grants.
    The grants program was created in 2001 to help fi refi ghters and emergency medical organizations buy equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other critical resources.
    The program requires the recipient to provide a match of up to 10 percent of the total grant amount.
    The funding comes as a windfall for REMS, which had tried to establish a vehicle replacement fund through a local taxing district. But voters defeated the referendum last month, leaving the ambulance company with an aging fleet of vehicles and few prospects to replace them, outside of borrowing more money.
    REMS’ newest ambulances are a pair that were purchased in 2002. Both have more than 125,000 miles; one ambulance now used by the company’s standby crew has more than 171,000 miles.
    The company also owns ambulances from 1994 and 1999. The older model has relatively low mileage, while the newer model has more than 100,000 miles on it.
    Joe VanDerwerker, the president of REMS’ board of directors, was thrilled to learn of the grant. He said the funding will prevent the company from having to maintain two ambulances that are now prone to breaking down.
    “It’s a large relief,” he said. “We were really counting on this.”
    The company submitted a number of grant requests in May, including requests for ventilation system work at both its garages, protective equipment for its personnel and new stretchers. But the funding for the grant program was drastically cut by Congress and REMS’ other requests were rejected.
    “It was a gamble,” VanDerwerker said. “We didn’t expect to get the ambulances.” .......................>>>>...........................>>>>...............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01001&AppName=1

3 days after the news broke here. Cool.

Now REMS won't have to worry about that pesky "billing" problem for a while.

Quoted Text

The grants program was created in 2001 to help fi refi ghters and emergency medical organizations buy equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other critical resources.
    The program requires the recipient to provide a match of up to 10 percent of the total grant amount.

and the 10% gremlin would exist forever....but why pay for them twice when NYS will pay them FOR ALL CALLS and the FEDS will to.....oh, there's a system
waaaait for it.....wait for it.............................................................................................

!!!!!!!EVENT HORIZON!!!!!!!!

If the tax district had passed and the grant had still come in -- the tax rate would have been lower than
10 cents per thousand.    

Quoted from 147

3 days after the news broke here. Cool.

Now REMS won't have to worry about that pesky "billing" problem for a while.

That is all the residents wanted was for rems to be self sustaining and not dependent on tax payers.....FOREVER! I wish them luck on their way to becoming financially independent and again self sustaining.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

If the tax district had passed and the grant had still come in -- the tax rate would have been lower than
10 cents per thousand.    

only for 1 election year and there after a 'feel-good' podium puck for the politicians......and A GIANT UNION(of which I think will
happen regardless, national healthcare and all)