Island to keep Lee ambulance service; Proposed cut-off table in county budget talks

By CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Gasparilla Gazette 9/3/09

Boca Grande's Lee County ambulance service avoided the chopping block after County Commissioners decided to table the possibility of cutting services in 2010.

County officials were to consider two, five and 10 percent cuts to the Emergency Management Services budget next year. If the County opted for 10 percent cuts, Boca Grande would have potentially lost its ambulance service, making the nearest available ambulance approximately eight miles away.

The consideration was taken off the table after the County decided against the 10 percent model, and after many residents voiced their concerns to County Commissioner Bob Janes about the importance of having an ambulance on the island.

"We got a lot of calls and concerns from citizens," which contributed to the decision to avoid the potential cut, said Janes' executive assistant, Nan Gonzalez. "There are some cuts being made to that department but I think they were able to save all the ambulance services in Lee County."

Island resident Maria Knapp wrote, "Having an ambulance on Boca Grande provides a great service to it's residents. I know budget cuts are a fact of this economy, but our ambulance service should not be one of them. Response time has already been an issue and one that should be addressed before any cuts are made."

Eleanor Durno told Janes, "The ambulance availability is what keeps a vast number of residents on the island. Without it, many will leave and real estate values will plummet."

"It is outrageous to think that Lee County would even consider not having an amubulence stationed on Boca Grande," wrote Harold Wells.

Boca Grande Fire Chief C.W. Blosser said he and his crew were happy with the Commission's decision.

"It's vital to us that that thing stays out there," Blosser said Tuesday. "It's a vital part of our public safety."

Blosser said that without the use of the ambulance, the department would have relied on a paramedic as a first responder, and would have had to awaitoff-island ambulance service.

"Those services are farther out so there would be an extended time for transport," he said.

Blosser said the department appreciates residents' opposition in the proposed cut.

"We're pleased they're interested in the well being and the safety of their community, their neighbors' well being as well as their own," he said. "We still have to be aware, because they may come back next year looking for further cutbacks."

Gonzalez said the County hopes not to have to be faced with a similar dilemma in future budget years.

"Hopefully numbers will improve next year, and we won't have a 23 percent cut to property taxes," she said.

The first of several county budget hearings begin today and the last hearing will be held Sept. 17.