BC 1994 06 02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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128 two paramedics are needed to staff all ambulances, Mr. Burnette expressed concern that an ambulance recently responded to a call in Midland with only one paramedic. A fire department volunteer was needed to drive the ambulance to the hospital. In conclusion, Mr. Burnette strongly supported the placement of a QRV in Midland and asked all others in favor of the QRV to stand. A majority of those present stood in support of the QRV. Mr. Jeff Eudy, member of the fire department and part-time County paramedic, expressed concern about the length of time it takes an ambulance to respond to the Midland area. Mr. Curtis Drake spoke in support of emergency medical service funding. He stated the Board could use the tax money he pays for water service, which he does not receive, for the QRV. Mr. Bob Andrews spoke in support of funding for schools. He expressed concern regarding a report which he stated showed that Gabarrus Gounty ranks toward the top of the state in wealth and towards the bottom in per pupil expenditure. Mr. Andrews stated in his opinion that the top priorities for County funding should be education, mandated programs, and those departments that demonstrate improvements in the services they provide. Finally, Mr. Andrews stated he was not asking for an increase in taxes but was asking the Board to increase funding for education. Mr. Robert McCoy of Midland supported the merger of the Cabarrus County Schools and the Kannapolis City Schools, stating it would save money by reducing the number of administrative positions. He supported a real estate transfer tax and impact fee on new houses. Ms. Regina Tyler, mother of a disabled child at Bethel Elementary School, spoke in support of additional funding for the schools and emergency services in the Midland area. She specifically supported funding for school technology needs, additional preschool programs, and .increased money for the classrooms. An unidentified speaker stated opposition to increased taxes and expressed the need to cut expenditures to provide needed revenue. Mr. Ed Morris of Cabarrus Station Road objected to additional taxes and questioned the use of the increased property tax base to fund education. It was explained that the three percent increase in the property tax base would not cover school growth for FY 1994-95. Ms. Gall Makin of Jim Sossamon Road spoke in support of the funding for the emergency medical services and the Sheriff's Department. She stated the need for a shorter emergency response time in the Midland area. Ms. Katrina Furr questioned the expense of the J. N. Fries Middle School, stating that a school should be a learning facility and not a showroom. An unidentified speaker questioned the Board's control over spending by the Board of Education. He objected to the demolition of the old high school in Mt. Pleasant and stated in his opinion the J.N. Fries Middle School was built for beauty, not function. The speaker also complained that the land in the Midland area was rezoned from agricultural to limited residential, thus reducing the residents' ability to use their land. Mr. James Martin reported that a meeting is being scheduled with the Planning and Zoning staff to discuss the zoning change in the Midland area. This change occurred at the time the Board adopted the new Zoning Ordinance in December, 1993. Ms. Susan Daniels questioned the possibility of a "volunteer" ambulance service which would utilize volunteers to drive an ambulance stationed in Midland. Ms. Martha Carriker, Midland Fire Department volunteer, commented that a large number of the fire department members work and therefore would not be available to staff a volunteer ambulance service at all times.