61MACKBR1

According to preliminary reports from both Accuweather.com (below), the Weather Channel, and all of the local Television Stations in our area, the weather front that appears to be developing that will affect the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut Metropolitan Areas this upcoming week, now being tabbed as the "Great Groundhog Day Blizzard" might be the worst of the storms that have already hit us this winter, including the one that came right after Christmas.
Other than the Snow Melting Equipment that a few muncipalities have, many just have move the snow to other parts of their cities/towns/villages. Now with this alleged "Groundhog Day Super Storm" coming, is there any more room to put this snow? (Added to the fact that many our cities, towns, and villages snow removal budgets are well gone, where will the money come from to handle this upcoming storm, not mention any others that we could still see this winter?
PS - I don't know if the Groundhog will see his shadow this winter, because that rodent will probably be buried under 2 feet of snow.

I could not have said it any better. "New Developments in Yonkers Means New Jobs" ??????? - Hey, the City of Yonkers just "CUT AGAIN" the budge line that was going to be use for funding the purchase land to build a New YFD Station 10 (In association with the "So Called PROMISSED") that was going to be built (with the developer paying for a large piece of) in relationship to the RIDGE HILL DEVELOPMENT. Ha! What a Joke. All Political Talk and NOTHING HAPPENS. There was supposed to be a Additional Fire Company added as part of the Ridge Hill Project (Presumably it was going to be a New Ladder Company).
But, again, years later and NOTHING BUT LIP SERVICE. Don't bet on this New Station (10) ever getting built within the next couple of years. And don't bet on having that New YFD Fire Headquarters built as part of the Yonkers Downtown Development. Capelli just backed out of the proposed New Development in New Rochelle, so I suspect that anything for Downtown Yonkers will not see the light of day anytime soon either.
"PROMISES - PROMISES"

Can you tell us what the YFD Spec Ops Crain is used for?
Also, great to see Rescue 2 back and available as the Spare Rescue (I am sure that the Staff of Rescue 1 is also glad to see it back, so that they don't have to use one of the Spare Ladder Trucks as a Spare Rescue).

OUTSTANDING JOB BARRY! Sharing of Government Grant Funds across several Westcheter Fire Districts is truly the way to go. Shared Resources will prove to be the cornerstone of things to come.

OUTSTANDING JOB BARRY! Sharing of Government Grant Funds across several Westcheter Fire Districts is truly the way to go. Shared Resources will prove to be the cornerstone of things to come.

Another sad example of Grown Adults acting like children. Sadly enough in these tough economic times, more and more Counties, Towns, Cities, and Villages are considering and in most cases approving the Consolidation of Services. The situation within Greenburgh is just the beginning. I suspect that the taxpayers within the Town of Greenburgh will ultimately push for such consolidation in order to prevent tax increases and to save money. The next, I suspect, will be the consolidation of services (Fire, Police and EMT) throughout Westchester County. Will there be arguments, disagreements, mud-slinging, name callings, bad feelings past back and forth? Absolutely. But the reality is that Consolidation will happen. (As a side note: I would wonder what the children of these grown adulst might have to say about how their parents are acting? Hmmm)

I know that I will probably be slammed by some concerning the comments I am going to make, but I will make them anyway. The successful handling and response from yesterday's Pelham Fire is an example of how a regionalized fire service here in Westcheter County makes allot of sense. The response times from those companies who came into the incident as part of the mutual aid request all arrived in a timely and efficient manner. The manpower and apparatus were all properly assigned and used. Kudos to New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Eastchester, Mamaroneck, and all of the other municipalities that helped out. 60 Control did an outstanding job in handling the dispatch and assignments, based on the direction provided at the scene. This is just another example of how Westchester County could take advantage of equipment, apparatus and manpower from several Fire Districts in the area, on a regular basis to support fire supression. Again, looking at a Southern Regional Fire District consisting of New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Mount Vernon, Yonkers, Eastchester, Greenville, Scarsdale, Larchmont and Mamaroneck appears to make sense, and thus saving the taxpayers allot of money. I certainly hope that the discussions continue and the egos can be placed asside in order to make it work
Again, kudos to all who help minimize the loss of property and made the scene a safe one for all who worked it yesterday in Pelham!!!

I know that I will probably be slammed by some concerning the comments I am going to make, but I will make them anyway. The successful handling and response from yesterday's Pelham Fire is an example of how a regionalized fire service here in Westcheter County makes allot of sense. The response times from those companies who came into the incident as part of the mutual aid request all arrived in a timely and efficient manner. The manpower and apparatus were all properly assigned and used. Kudos to New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Eastchester, Mamaroneck, and all of the other municipalities that helped out. 60 Control did an outstanding job in handling the dispatch and assignments, based on the direction provided at the scene. This is just another example of how Westchester County could take advantage of equipment, apparatus and manpower from several Fire Districts in the area, on a regular basis to support fire supression. Again, looking at a Southern Regional Fire District consisting of New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Mount Vernon, Yonkers, Eastchester, Greenville, Scarsdale, Larchmont and Mamaroneck appears to make sense, and thus saving the taxpayers allot of money. I certainly hope that the discussions continue and the egos can be placed asside in order to make it work
Again, kudos to all who help minimize the loss of property and made the scene a safe one for all who worked it yesterday in Pelham!!!

Looking back at the long storied history of Station 11, having grown up just down the street from it, it will be hard to imagine that great station might be closing. From those days back in the 1950's/1960's when that "War Horse" Ward LaFance proudly wore the Circle 11 on its front along side the Great 1950's ALF Mid-Mount Truck 3, with its Gold Leaf YFD 3 on its doors. The time when the Viet Nam war ended and both rigs came out of thier respective bays and blew the siren in celebration. Then the sad ellimination of Truck 3 (then Truck 11). Then the happiness to see Ladder 76 being brought into service to see it sadly go away as fast as it came. To those days when both A A Ambulance or Empress housed their East Side Ambulance there. To the evolution of Engine 11 into Engine 311 (The Old Mack C Engine 1 running as Engine 311, to the Lime Green Compac Continential, to the various Mack CF's, and then Engine 311 turning into Squad 311 then Squad 11, now with the Collapse Unit. The Citizens of the Armour Villa, Birch Brook, Iraquis Road, Mountainvile Road, Lawrence Park West Communities will certainly suffer without a front line rig running out of that station, especially as it relates to the First Responder Program. Call up the Mayor and City Council and voice your complaints. Don't let this happen

Looking back at the long storied history of Station 11, having grown up just down the street from it, it will be hard to imagine that great station might be closing. From those days back in the 1950's/1960's when that "War Horse" Ward LaFance proudly wore the Circle 11 on its front along side the Great 1950's ALF Mid-Mount Truck 3, with its Gold Leaf YFD 3 on its doors. The time when the Viet Nam war ended and both rigs came out of thier respective bays and blew the siren in celebration. Then the sad ellimination of Truck 3 (then Truck 11). Then the happiness to see Ladder 76 being brought into service to see it sadly go away as fast as it came. To those days when both A A Ambulance or Empress housed their East Side Ambulance there. To the evolution of Engine 11 into Engine 311 (The Old Mack C Engine 1 running as Engine 311, to the Lime Green Compac Continential, to the various Mack CF's, and then Engine 311 turning into Squad 311 then Squad 11, now with the Collapse Unit. The Citizens of the Armour Villa, Birch Brook, Iraquis Road, Mountainvile Road, Lawrence Park West Communities will certainly suffer without a front line rig running out of that station, especially as it relates to the First Responder Program. Call up the Mayor and City Council and voice your complaints. Don't let this happen

Again, the Cap Ex used for the purchase of these new YFD Rigs came from 2007/2008, way prior to the current budget crisis. Let's all pray that the Mayor is able to secure funding from both the State and the Feds to maintain Public Services throughout the city. (On a side note, as others have also mentioned, Yonkers terrain is one of the most challenging in Westchester County. The Hills and narrow streets play a huge impact on the life expectancy on the Front Line Rigs of YFD. Many people don't take this into affect went looking at this subject.)

This is exactly why Chief Fitzpatrick and the YFD has done a remarkable job of ensuring that they have a complete fleet of front line, spare and reserve apparatus. Once YFD completes this latest set of deliveries, they will have:
Engine 303: 2006 ALF Pumper
Engine 304: 2006 ALF Pumper
Engine 306: 2010 ALF Pumper
Engine 307: 2006 ALF Pumper
Engine 308: 2010 ALF Pumper
Engine 309: 2010 Smeal/Spartan Pumper
Engine 310: 2007 ALF Pumper
Squad 11: 2010 Smeal/Spartan Rescue Pumper
Engine 312: 2006 ALF Pumper
Engine 313: 2003 ALF Pumper (Oldest Pumper in Front Line Fleet)
Engine 314: 2006 ALF Pumper
Ladder 70: 2007 Smeal/HME RM Ladder
Tower Ladder 71: 2008 ALF/LTI TL
Ladder 72: 2010 Smeal/Spartan RM Ladder
Ladder 73: 2007 Smeal/HME RM Ladder
Ladder 74: 2007 Smeal/HME RM Ladder
Tower Ladder 75: 2008 ALF/LTI TL
Rescue 1: 2007 ALF Heavy Rescue
SPARE/RESERVE POOL:
Rescue 2: 2000 ALF Heavy Rescue
Engine 300: 1998 Smeal/HME Pumper
Engine 301 (?): Former Engine 306: 2004 ALF Pumper
Engine 302 (?): Former Engine 308: 2002 ALF Pumper
Engine 305 (?): Former Engine 309: 2002 ALF Pumper
Squad 11-A: Former Squad 11: 2006 ALF Rescue Pumper
Engine 315: 1998 Smeal/HME Pumper
Engine 316: 1998 Smeal/HME Pumper
Engine 317: 1998 Smeal/HME Pumper
Ladder 76: 2002 Smeal/HME RM Ladder
Ladder 77 (?): Former Ladder 72; 2002 Smeal/HME RM Ladder
Ladder 78: 1998 Smeal/HME RM Ladder
Ladder 79: 1995 Seagrave RM Ladder
Tower Ladder 80: 2002 ALF/LTI Tower Ladder
Tower Ladder 81: 1999 ALF/LTI Tower Ladder
Also in current spare reserve pool is: 1990/2001 Mack/Baker Tower Ladder (Probably will be sent to Auction)

Thanks Chief Fitz. I believe that this is the first time ever that YFD has had a Spartan Chassis for any of its rigs. In the recent past, the Smeal Rigs (both Ladder Companies and Reserve/Spare Engine Companies) have been mounted on HME Chassis. I am sure that YFD went to the Spartan Chassis over the HME's for a specific reason. Can't wait to see how the Spartan/Smeal New Squad 11 and Engine 309 turned out. Not surprised that American LaFrance is behind on the deliveries of YFD's New Engine 306 and 308, but as Chief Fitz said, these 2 should be following shortly. Nice to see YFD continuing to maintain their fleet to the highest standard. Now, lets hope the city does not cut the 2 companies that they are talking about doing.

Thanks Chief Fitz. I believe that this is the first time ever that YFD has had a Spartan Chassis for any of its rigs. In the recent past, the Smeal Rigs (both Ladder Companies and Reserve/Spare Engine Companies) have been mounted on HME Chassis. I am sure that YFD went to the Spartan Chassis over the HME's for a specific reason. Can't wait to see how the Spartan/Smeal New Squad 11 and Engine 309 turned out. Not surprised that American LaFrance is behind on the deliveries of YFD's New Engine 306 and 308, but as Chief Fitz said, these 2 should be following shortly. Nice to see YFD continuing to maintain their fleet to the highest standard. Now, lets hope the city does not cut the 2 companies that they are talking about doing.

I don't think that the majority of us here on EMTBravo looked at this post as being an opportunity to set up a "PIxxxxG Contest" between agencies. Like I said above, I am glad to see that within the City of Yonkers, 2 well respected agencies are able to work harmonious with each other to serve the needs of the public. I am glad that YPD was able to secure funding to obtain this needed vehicle prior to the belt tightening that is currently going on withn Public Government. As Seth pointed out above, it is likely that this truck will be well equiped with the Equipment and Tools necessary to sevice "POLICE" requirements within the City. As many have said before, the City of Yonkers is very fortunate to have individuals within both the Police and Fire Administrations to think "Ahead of the Curve" to fill the needs of their respective departments. Other cities, towns and villages have used Yonkers as the model to build their own respective departments accordingly. GOOD LUCK YPD WITH YOUR NEW TRUCK !!!!!

Thanks Frank for the clarification. Nice to see to Emergency Service Agencies working so well together in order to serve the citizens of the City of Yonkers. PS - IS THAT THE NEW LADDER 71 LOGO THAT YOU HAVE ON YOUR EMTBRAVO MONIKOR? (I really like this new design !!!)

My understanding is that for all Car Accidents requiring potential extrication, that YFD is dispatched with a 1 and 1 (Engine Company and Ladder Company, that carries Extrecation Tools) along with a Battalion Chief. YFD Rescue 1 is called upon if required for multple cars/passengers requiring extrication. I do not believe that YPD's ESU is the primary unit within the City of Yonkers for Auto Extractions. I am sure that either someone within either YFD or YPD can confirm.

Thanks Chief Dunn for the Photographs of the New B1. [What - No Expresso Machine inside B1 ??? - Maybe they have something else within the New B1 for the Guys on the West Side? - LOL : ) ]

Chris - You raise an excellent point above. Yes, from my read on the accounts of yesterday's 4 Alarm Fire in Yonkers, all Engine Companies (303, 304, 306, 307,308,309,310, SQ 11, 312, 313, and 314) were dispatched to the scene of the fire, as were all but 1 Ladder Company (70, 71, 72, 73, & 74) along with Rescue 1. Ladder 75 was relocated to Station 4. Mutual Aid Companies were assigned to Station 1 (Hartsdale Engine, Greenvile Engine and Eastchester TL 17 and New Rochelle Engine 22 and Ladder 12 to Station 12. Once the YFD Off Duty Personnel who were recalled in arrived, YFD Reserve Engine Companies 316 and 315 were assigned to Station 12 and Station 1 respectfully, freeing up at least 1 out of town Engine Company at both Station 1 and Station 12. The members of YFD did a remarkable job yesterday, given how close those buildings are to one another, preventing it from spreading and having an even more disasterous situation from becoming a reality.
While this 4 Alarm Fire was going on, these Mutual Aid and YFD Reserve Companies were responsible for handling the rest of the City of Yonkers, including "First Responder" calls. Notice that the closest "manned" station, to the Eastern Side of the City was Station 12 on Fortfield Avenue. What if they were called out to say a Gas Odor call somewhere in Northwest Yonkers or the Odell Avenue seciton of Yonkers. Then a call would come in for a "First Responder" medical call in the remote area of Northeast Yonkers?
I could only imagine, with Empress having personnel at the fire scene, that their resources were also taxed. I could only imagine the response times on, say a "First Responder" call up in the farthest section of Northeast Yonkers (Near the Edgemont Boarder) that is usually covered by Engine 314. This is something that the politians in the City of Yonkers needs to think about. As Chief Flynn mentioned, the City of Yonkers is no where near the "proper" manpower levels for a city of its size, especially if you factor in the "Not Yet Completed" Ridge Hill Project (Where is the New Ladder Company (YFD Ladder 77 ?)and Fire House (New 2 Bay Station 10 for 310 and 77 ?) that was on the proposal when the Ridge Hill plans were discussed with the city. Haven't heard a word on that lately! Hmmm. Also, if you now factor in the "on the table" proposal for the New Yonkers Downtown Development, you are just adding to the already taxed Yonkers Fire Department. With this development, the proposal calls for a New 6 Bay YFD Headquarters. In my opinion, you would need to add at least 2 Additional Engine Companies, that should be housed at this New Headquarters (Engine 301 and 302) with an additional Ladder Company housed at Station 3 (Ladder 76 ?). This in addition to what was proposed for Ridge Hill. Now, realizing all of this "on paper companies" the Mayor is talking about cuts in Emergency Services. All it would take is for some "Well To Do" citizen of Yonkers, who is politically connected and who lives in that Remote Northeast Section of Yonkers to have a loved one fall ill and to find that the First Responder Response to them was "Delayed" because of staffing issues within the YFD, becuase they were fighting a difficult 4 Alarm Blaze in Southwest Yonkers? Wake up Mayor Ammicone and City Council Members and realize that this could happen one day (god forbid it does). Yes, Yonkers has the unique plan and fortune to be able to call in off duty personnel and to have the Equipped Spare Apparatus to help and take over from Called In Mutual Aid Companies, but its "not enough" YFD is the best run Professional City Fire Department in the State of New York (for its size) but is "far below" the manpower and apparatus levels of say a Syracuse, a Buffalo, a Rochester or other cities of its size in New York State, especially given its close proximity to New York City. Maybe some day people will wake up and see what is real.

I think that there is one just over the boarder in nearby Bronxville. Could it be that Chief Dunn might be an "Expresso Efficianto"? (Its not your every day Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts)

Doesn't every Property Owner in Westchester County pay taxes both the the local municipality that they reside in as well as a County Tax? If part of the Property Taxes paid goes to the County, then the way it could be explained would be now the portion of your taxes that you currently pay for Fire Service will now be paid to the County.
I believe that the proper way to "Communicate" this to ALL citizens of Westchester County would be for those Fire Service Professionals (Bnechis, Fitzpatrick, Flynn, etc, etc, etc) to "Collectively" put this "MASTER PLAN" (for both the Southern Westchester Fire District AND the Northern Westchester Fire District) and have town/city/village FORUMS and invite citizens to sit in on the presentation and have these Professional Senior Fire Officials explain in "Common Man/Women Language" (so that everyone can understand) why this is being proposed, the impact (Positively) it will have on their Fire Service/Emergency Response as well as the relief that they could see from a Tax Payers prospective.
I'd bet that if they were to see/hear this with their own eyes and ears, AND if they had the SOLID backing of all City/Town/and Village Officials as well as the New County Executive, that it would be POSITIVELY RECEIVED BY ALL.
I totally agree with Chris' statement that by leaving this in the HANDS of the Senior Level Fire Management Professionals in Westchester County to work on "PRO-ACTIVELY" rather than wait for the "Hammer to Come Down" and be forced to make decisions "On the Fly" with input coming from those "Not In The Know" in a "RE-ACTIVE" manner, is the "WAY TO GO" - Let's get it done NOW rather than waiting for LATER!

Doesn't every Property Owner in Westchester County pay taxes both the the local municipality that they reside in as well as a County Tax? If part of the Property Taxes paid goes to the County, then the way it could be explained would be now the portion of your taxes that you currently pay for Fire Service will now be paid to the County.
I believe that the proper way to "Communicate" this to ALL citizens of Westchester County would be for those Fire Service Professionals (Bnechis, Fitzpatrick, Flynn, etc, etc, etc) to "Collectively" put this "MASTER PLAN" (for both the Southern Westchester Fire District AND the Northern Westchester Fire District) and have town/city/village FORUMS and invite citizens to sit in on the presentation and have these Professional Senior Fire Officials explain in "Common Man/Women Language" (so that everyone can understand) why this is being proposed, the impact (Positively) it will have on their Fire Service/Emergency Response as well as the relief that they could see from a Tax Payers prospective.
I'd bet that if they were to see/hear this with their own eyes and ears, AND if they had the SOLID backing of all City/Town/and Village Officials as well as the New County Executive, that it would be POSITIVELY RECEIVED BY ALL.
I totally agree with Chris' statement that by leaving this in the HANDS of the Senior Level Fire Management Professionals in Westchester County to work on "PRO-ACTIVELY" rather than wait for the "Hammer to Come Down" and be forced to make decisions "On the Fly" with input coming from those "Not In The Know" in a "RE-ACTIVE" manner, is the "WAY TO GO" - Let's get it done NOW rather than waiting for LATER!

Capt Bnechis and Chris have summed this all up in a very precise and professional manner. Consolidation is the only way "Proper and Adequate" Manpower will be available, based upon Government Fire Studies, within Westchester County. The concept of a Southern and Northern Westchester Fire District have been discussed for a very long time, with Capt. Bnechis, Chief Fitzpatrick and others within both the Paid and Volunteer Fire Services in Westchester County, help.
Unfortunately, as has been said above, EGO's, Political Pull, Unions, Volunteer vs. Paid Turf Wars/Battles, etc, have come in the way of making this plan work for the betterment of both the FIRE SERVICE and the PUBLIC.
"The Maddness Has To Stop and Stop NOW !!!"
Great Post Chris and Great Work Capt. Bnechis.

Seth- I am sure that Chief Campbell could answer your questions the best. Back in the 1950's and into the 1960's and the early 1970's, Mount Vernon Fire Department was considered to be one of the most well equiped, well manned, dedicated departments in Westchester County. Today, the members of FDMV are as dedicated as those that manned the department as either paid or volunteers back years ago. However, from once there was a department that had Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Engine 4, Engine 5, Engine 6, and Reserve/Spare Engine 7, Snorkel 1, Truck 2, Truck 3, and Reserve Truck 4, along with the Classic 1960's Mack C Rescue and FOAM 1, FDMV was once a very well deployed department. Unfortunately, during the rough economic times of the Late 1970's and Early 1980's, the Mount Vernon Fire Department was hit with Major Department Cuts that really ate away from the department, from both a staffing and equipment basis. Money was never put back into the department to upgrade the buildings, apparatus and to bring the Company Levels back to the way it was prior to the Major Budgetary Cuts of the Late 70's/Early 80's. Yonkers FD went thru some similiar cust in their department in the late 70's/early 80's (Engine 301, 302, 305, Truck 76, Rescue 1), but with some "Smart" allocation of funds and excellent management from within their department, YFD was able to improve its departmeent greatly (but I would bet that some within YFD would like to see Engine 301, 302, 305, and Ladder 76 be returned to front line service and maybe with the New Downtown Development and Ridge Hill Projects, we just might see it).
Mount Vernon still to this day, has some very affulent areas. Section of Fleetwood and Down Along California Road have some very expensive houses and property. Mix that in with the Urban Areas that make up the Center of Mount Vernon and you have a need for a top notch fire department, with manpower and apparatus levels that would meet the needs of this city.
I cannot say that when Mount Vernon had both a Paid and Volunteer Department serving the city, that anything was better. I personally think that POLITICS has played a HUGE role into what FDMV has become. I feel for the members of this department, who so want to have the best for the citizens they serve. But to have their buildings that they live in and work out of, falling apart to a point of disgust, appartus breaking down and becoming unrepairabile and them needing neighboring departments to help assist on jobs that normally they could handle on their own, well that is sad.
Just my opinion.

Chief Flynn - As they say "You have hit the nail right on the head" and to some it "Hurts" - REGIONALIZATION and CONSOLIDATION is, indeed, the way Westchester County and other areas, throughout New York State and the Country, need to go, not only as it relatest to saving money, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, improving response times, providing the right set of manpower and equipment to an incident, and to ensure that lives and property are saved. Having a Northern Westchester County Department of Emergency Services Division (Fire and EMS) and a Southern Westchester County Department of Emergency Services Division (Fire and EMS) with the consolidation of these Paid and Volunteer Departments, all pulling their respective resources into one (or in this case 2) SOLID TEAM, is a "no brainer"
NOW THE BIG ISSUE !! - Allot of Egos and "Home Turf" attitudes will need to broken down. It should not be and never be about who is the "Biggest Chief" or the "Best Department", it should all be about saving lives and property, and these political attitudes and egos need to be placed in the trash can where they belong, whether or not you are a Career Department, a Split Department (Paid and Volley), or strictly a Volunteer Department.
I don't believe Chief Flynn's position is one of a personal nature or personal gains. As you all know, he is busy enough handling the management (along with Chief Fitzpatrick, Commissioner Pagano, and Chief Cuculo) of the Yonkers Fire Departmenet. You may not have to agree with everything that is posted on EMTBravo.net and even with some of Chief Flynn's comments and his perceived "so called attitude", related to other topics (I being one, "on occassion") BUT, I know and well as the majority of everyone here on EMTBravo.net, that Chief Flynn's heart is and has truly been in the right place here on EMTBravo.net and he does indeed care about FIRE PROTECTION (not only in Yonkers, but throughout Westchester County).
Believe it or not, but I suspect with the New County Executive Rob Asterino, the concept of REGIONALIZATION of EMS and Fire Protection in Westchester County will eventually become a reality. The way it can work out BEST for EVERYONE, is for everyone, Fire and EMS Exeuctives (like Chief Flynn, Captain Barry Benchis from New Rochelle FD and others), Paid Departments (EMS and Fire), and Voluntter Departments (EMS and Fire) to all get together and recommend to County Exeuctive Asterino exactly how it NEEDS TO BE DONE, rather than having some outside agency or firm telling the county how it should be.
TOGETHER WE CAN SUCCEED! SEPARATED WE ARE DOOMED TO FAIL