The citizens of Maple Valley will see Proposition 1, a levy lid lift on the November election ballot. This measure is essential to ensure core emergency services are restored and maintained. In 2008 your fire department diligently worked to maintain the highest level of emergency services during the recession. Sacrifices were made on all fronts, wage freezes, reductions in staffing levels, elimination of positions and reduced standards of training, all while attempting to provide quality, cost effective safe and effective emergency services. Flash forward nine years; the failure of Proposition 1 in August resulted in the current intermittent closing of Fire Station 83. This reduction in services has impacted everyone.

Your fire department is made up of career and volunteer staff, every single man and women who serves this community through the fire department does so with integrity, selflessness, compassion and grace. Many of us were and are fortunate enough to give back to this community in the capacity as firefighters. We see and feel the same financial impacts that the citizen in this great community and throughout this rapidly growing region are feeling. Several of your career firefighters were born and raised in Maple Valley, we have been part of this community as it grew from having one stop light, to the thriving metropolis it is today. We care about the department, the community and the citizens we serve. It is demoralizing to the core each time a fire department member places the “station closed” sign on a fire station that had been staffed with personnel for more than fifty years.

The safety and well-being of the citizens and the first responders has never been more compromised as a result of failing Proposition 1 in August. There is a catastrophic flaw in the funding structure at the state level for taxing districts, it’s confusing and frustrating for all involved. The fire chief and the governance board continue to work diligently to ensure public tax dollars are utilized in the most efficient and effective manner – there is zero “fluff” in your fire departments budget. Reducing or eliminating core emergency services is not the answer.

Support your fire department by voting yes on Proposition 1.

Capt. Jon Graziani

Maple Valley Fire Department

IAFF Local 3062