To the editor,

Please join me in voting ‘yes’ for Maple Valley Fire’s levy.  The deadline for sending in your ballot, April 23, is fast approaching.

The decline in home values in the past four years has reduced the revenue to the fire district. The fire district has acted responsibly by internally absorbing those losses with reductions in staffing, consolidation of some services and other internal cost-saving measures.

There simply aren’t any more areas where the budget can be trimmed without impacting levels of service. Without this funding, response times will rise by two to five minutes and a station will likely close.

If you are like me, you are sensitive and careful about how you spend your money. But this isn’t the time or place to save a few dollars. When your loved one needs emergency medical help, or you are facing a catastrophic accident or loss, every single second makes a difference. An additional two minutes can literally be the difference between life and death.

Please don’t forget to vote ‘yes.’ You don’t even need a stamp — there is a drop box in the Rock Creek Elementary School parking lot.

Thank you,

Erin Weaver

City Councilwoman

Maple Valley