Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Fire history

Jan. 13, 2008

To the editor:

As one of the original founders of the Steese Area Volunteer Fire Department back in the ’70s, I have been following with interest the letters to the editor concerning the cabin fire in Fox that was outside their service area.

It took a couple of years to ‘get all our ducks in a row’ to form the department. There were people who were all in favor of it, and there were people who wanted nothing to do with a fire department.

We had meetings galore, many in the Fairview Church, where we presented the concept of a “working” fire department. We were able (after contacting various insurance companies) to show how the low mileage rate we proposed would normally be offset by the lowering of their fire insurance rates, plus the quick response to fight their fire.

After several elections in various areas, we were able to present to the Fairbanks North Star Borough the nucleus of a “Fire Service Area” that would collect a fire tax to assist with the operation of a fire department.

With some assistance from the state of Alaska, we were able to purchase our first truck, which we housed in a building belonging to OK Lumber at Curry’s Corner, where we took turns sleeping on a pile of lumber in order to be able to respond to an alarm.

From the first day of operation it was mandated that we could only respond to members residing inside our service area. The SAVFD has adhered to these rules ever since.

Harvey Martin

Sequim, Wash.

Fires and boundaries

Jan. 13, 2008

To the editor:

It is surprising to see that more people do not know where they live. We live in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Most take pride in the can-do take-care-of-myself attitude. I must say thank you as a paying member of Steese Area Volunteer Fire Department’s service area that they did come back. We may have needed them and we paid for the service.

If you want someone to take care of everything go get an apartment where you call the landlord. If you want to be a home owner then read that big packet of paperwork the title company gave you. And sorry to hear Roots house burned.

Dwane McKee

Fairbanks

Rising prices

Jan. 13, 2008

To the editor:

Recently, prices have been on the rise, from milk and food, to fuel and electricity. Why are prices rising? Does anyone know?

The private Federal Reserve Bank, which is neither “federal” or a “reserve,” has been creating new money at an alarming rate. This new money has been paying for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, funding pork barrel projects, and propping up Wall Street for the unfolding mortgage debacle. We the taxpayers have not been asked directly to fund these initiatives, but we are indeed paying. The way we pay is through inflation. When the Fed prints money out of thin air, the value of each dollar is eroded. Therefore, it takes more money to buy the same amount of a particular good or service. Inflation is a back door tax. We need to return to honest money with a physical backing, like gold and silver.

The only presidential candidate who speaks against this unconstitutional money system is Ron Paul. Please visit www.ronpaul2008.com and www.ronpaul.meetup.com/187 to join the Ron Paul Revolution.

Brent Richey

Fairbanks

Fire coverage

Jan. 13, 2008

To the editor:

With regard to the recent letters about the fire in Fox and what is and what isn’t in the fire coverage. I feel for the family who lost a home in a fire. I too lost a home years ago and it is an experience that will remain with me forever.

I live at 22 Mile Chena Hot Springs and am outside a fire area also. Our property tax bill does mention fire coverage but it’s not for a volunteer fire service it is for ambulance for what there is. Two Rivers has an ambulance service but can not transport, only the Steese can transport. The solution is place whomever in your car and go, otherwise it’s an hour to wait for transport. Only way we can have a fire put out is if it is the forest then forest service will put that out but not our home.

The solution for all of us is to get together, write our assembly members and have the fire coverage expanded to include our areas. Keep in mind your property tax will go up. There are also some wonderful new items you can have installed at your home that will help prevent fires and protect your family. There are two different companies along with Home Depot and Lowes that carry these items.

You have to ask yourself what’s cheaper, the correct items to protect your home or having to pay to replace it. Trust me insurance will not cover all your loss. There are items you can never replace.

A helpful hint before there is a fire, inventory your home, take pictures and keep in safe deposit box. You will be surprised what you have and it helps in filing claims.

Don’t blame the firemen it’s our own fault along with the borough. Get involved and get informed.

Pamela Orr

Two Rivers

Prosperity president

Jan. 18, 2008

To the editor:

Alaskans loved Ron Paul when he came to Alaska in his 1988 run for president of the United States. I presented 20 silver dollars, one each to 20 professions to meet Rep. Paul in Fairbanks. I know Dr. Paul believes in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, by everything he has done in 10 terms in Congress, including his legislation for the United States to resume minting gold and silver coin again.

Ron Paul is running for president again, for prosperity, for honest jobs, for protecting us from polluters, for the health of our nation.

After total disregard for the Constitution by the present administration, we must elect much more than the lesser of evils, as we have done election after election. Now we can show the world that we are a nation of laws, and vote with our hearts, instead of knee-jerk reaction to the latest scare tactics by the corporate monopolists.

Prosperity is the issue! Do we want to be able to honestly work and save in real money? Or will we continue to let the secret inflation tax destroy our currency?

American prosperity was built on the ability to invest in capital, to aid our labor, to make us the most productive nation in history.

Ron Paul knows that inflation is not the illusion of rising prices, but the dropping value of our money by printing counterfeit bills. How can the average American keep up with this panic.

An honest hard currency, and respect for the Constitution, will protect our prosperity! Vote with your hearts America, vote for Ron Paul for president! www.youtube.com/AlaskansLoveRonPaul

Dae Miles

Fairbanks