I would like to qualify my remarks by stating I have no familial ties to the Mehlville Fire Protection District employees.

As most people, I appreciate efforts to eliminate the wasteful spending of tax dollars.

So when I received two “informational fliers” — one in the Call — authorized by the district’s Board of Directors, I was bothered that the taxpayers had to pay the costs for material that looks too political.

The fliers seemed self-serving and came out right in time to launch one board member’s campaign. I believe the first flier was addressed to registered voters, not to taxpayers. Today I received another flier.

Why is there such a need for the board to do all this self-promotion all at once?

Needless comparison charts, captions that do not match the subject matter and an article which only features the candidate board member on the front and back pages — why would these fliers be necessary when every week the Call excellently covers the fire district?

Why now, especially when there has been some reported deficit spending? I heard another flier went out to a targeted ZIP code.

I have been wondering how much this has cost us. Now I read that the price tag is at least $32,000. These fliers focus on much more than Prop 1 and 2.

I definitely believe in the old saying: “If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, you know it’s a duck.” Now some people might think “much ado about nothing,” but the issue for me is more than the money, it is a matter of trust. And MFPD states they are treating our money with respect?

My second concern pertains to experience as it relates to the quality of care. As I get older, conversations with friends are often about health care and emergency situations. Some have described a few mishaps where lack of experience may have played a role — directions, slow response.

New hires need to know their community. No matter how well-trained, the more hires MFPD has with minimal on-the-job experience within the district means the greater likelihood mistakes can occur.

What is also regrettable is the lost tax dollars on all the training for new firefighters/paramedics, only to see them quickly go to work outside our fire district. The fire board needs to do better.

When it is my 911 call, I want the best, the brightest and an experienced paramedic.

Theresa Kleusch

Oakville