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"How should we pay for Medic One now that voters have turned down
the special tax?"
(asked at the Juanita Starbucks on 11-06-97; published in the EJ on 11-09-97)

Howard Walter, Motorcycle salesman, Kirkland

"That's a good question. That's something important for everyone. I don't really understand why it didn't pass. Fee-for-service initially sounds like the way to do it, and it would be available. But people on a budget or with limited resources may forgo ambulance service when they need it. The property tax would probably be the only way to go to get it done on a fair basis."

Shaun White, Actuary, Bellevue

"I don't think they should force an increase in taxes like they did with the baseball stadium -- the voters said no and they raised it anyway. Probably go for corporate funding through a goodwill thing. A company could associate their name with it. And then maybe modify the initiative next year."

Jean Warmuth, Pharmacy assistant, Bothell

"I don't know. An article I'd read said there was plenty of money and if we'd passed it, the government would've depended on measures like that all the time. So I voted no because there was more money in the various funds they could use. I think Medic One is very important but we need funding we can depend on all the time instead of a special tax."

John Herrling, Retired police officer, Kirkland

"Seems to me we're already paying for emergency services. If they decide they want to spend the money on other things and then pass a levy, that's inappropriate."

Nick Seibert, Police officer, Kirkland

"I think we need to take a look at how the money is being spent and see that it's being spent effectively. Then see if more money is needed -- see what other resources we have access to."

Su Ring-Vitue, TV news producer, Kirkland

"I wish they'd find another way to pay -- to have the city or the county or the state fund it. I think if it comes down to individuals having to pay for their emergency care, it might be too late for some. They can't afford it. As a taxpayer, I wouldn't mind paying extra through a property tax, a service tax, anything."

© 1997 by the Bellevue, WA-based Eastside Journal (née Journal American) newspaper.

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