Mick Anna, chairperson, Vote Yes for Golder Ranch Bond Committee
Chances are, if you’ve lived in SaddleBrooke Ranch (SBR) for two years or more, you have either witnessed or experienced directly, the fantastic service that our local firefighters provide for our community. When SBR was first established, a residential home with an oversized garage was used to accommodate our first responders. Now, with more than 1,000 homes occupied or under construction, our firefighters are still performing their growing responsibilities out of the same 1,700 square foot residential home provided almost a decade ago. Having occupied my home adjacent to the firehouse since 2010, I am quite familiar with the tremendous job our local firefighters are doing with limited resources.
In the upcoming Nov. 5 general election, we will have the opportunity to support our firefighters by voting “yes” on Fire Bond 477, which will provide the Golder Ranch Fire District the necessary infrastructure, renovations, technology upgrades, training, and safety needed for the next 20 to 25 years. If approved by voters, this bond will allow the district to remodel station 375, bringing it up to National Fire Protection Association standards, build new training facilities and additional administrative office spaces, and restructure existing debts.
At least 66% of firefighters will develop some sort of cancer in their lifetime due to job related exposures. Voting yes on 477 will help protect our firefighters by adding clean, well-ventilated spaces to store contaminated gear, reducing cancer causing carcinogens and extend the life of the gear itself.
Another major improvement, included in the bond, is the installation of new modern alerting systems. Currently, when you call 911, your call is answered in the order received. By converting from the district’s current analog system to a fully digital system, multiple 911 calls can be answered and dispatched automatically, helping firefighters get to you more quickly.
Additionally, the bond will have a $6 million set aside to build two new stations in the Golder Ranch Fire District. The first to be built is our own Station 378 here in SaddleBrooke Ranch. The second station, based on future needs and growth, will be built in the northwest area of Oro Valley.
For a full list of bond projects, visit grfdaz.gov/bond-election-information, and click on the “Informational Flyer” link.
So, what is this going to cost the taxpayer you may ask? According to the district’s bond committee, which was tasked with reviewing Golder Ranch’s proposed list of projects, the bond will cost the average homeowner in the Golder Ranch District only $2.39 a month. That’s less than the cost of a venti cup of coffee at Starbucks!
Let’s make sure the Golder Ranch Fire District has the necessary resources to keep up with our growing community and continue to provide excellent service! Vote yes for Fire Bond 477 on Nov. 5. Your life may depend on it!
For more information, visit www.yesforgolder.com.