Letters to the Editor

EDITOR’S NOTE: Letters to the Editor and Commentaries from residents do not necessarily reflect the position of The Vista and its staff. The Vista reserves the right to edit and limit the length of the Letters and we ask that Letters be held to a 350-word limit.

Thank you.

Dear Editor:

SHOCKED!

Let me briefly share what happen at the September workshop meeting during the financial discussion. It began with our Finance Director giving an update on our financial position followed by questions from the Board. John Wedgworth asked a few “softball” questions about the Food & Beverage P&L including one to Bob Weber about inflation pressure on Cost of Sales. I asked Bob:

  • Was it a coincidence that the monthly Benefits costs and the monthly Cost of Sales were the same amount? I believe Bob said yes.
  • Did the monthly Payroll cost (which was 100% of sales) mean that on sales of $188,000 it would take that much in labor to operate the restaurant? Bob indicated amongst other things there was a lot of overtime.
  • Finally, I pointed out to Bob that despite inflation he had increased prices in April 5%-10% and again in July 10%+ (his words). Bob indicated he looks at year to date numbers, not so much monthly.
  • Now for months I have been asking the Board to publish the financial results for Food & Beverage monthly, not just quarterly because it gives an indication of what’s going on, and a chance to ask questions. In August they finally compiled. Also, I have said that I question the Board’s willingness to hold Bob accountable for the restaurant performance.

I understand that mistakes happen. When the financial statements come out, I assume they are reviewed by our Finance Director. Then Bob would review them especially Food & Beverage since it’s his responsible until a director is hired. Next our Treasurer Bruce Cox and finally the Board.

Here is the rest of the story. Well after my questions to Bob and at the very end of the meeting, Bob smiles and says August monthly financial statements were not correct and new ones would be provided at the Board meeting the next day. Ken adjourns the meeting!

Now I ask you does that make you feel comfortable that anyone, especially our General Manager is truly managing the finances of the Club? Especially those of Food & Beverage! Bob told me at the last meeting that I was the only one that cared about the restaurant subsidy, which increased by about $50,000 in August to a projected $326,000 (as stated in the meeting). I guess someone has to since those responsible don’t appear to be doing their jobs!

Tom Racklyeft

 

Dear Editor:

“What would you do if they didn’t come?”

If you had a house fire, heard your smoke or CO alarm sounding, smelled propane, natural gas or smoke, or crashed your vehicle, you’d call 911 and the volunteers from Fairfield Glade Fire Department would respond to your emergency.  Did you know those firefighters respond 24/7? They risk their lives to protect us.

The Fairfield Glade fire personnel are just like you – they’ve relocated here because they love the area and what it offers. Some are still employed but most are retired and looking to “give back.” Many of our members are seasoned firefighters having been paid or volunteer firefighters where they lived before moving to the Glade. Our members our committed to serve.

Our firefighters are required to complete 64 hours of classroom and practical training and must pass a written exam to be certified. Much of their firefighting gear is provided by the department but they also have pay out of pocket for personal equipment. Members attend monthly meetings, participate in bi-monthly training classes and take additional specialty training. On top of all those volunteer training hours they have to spend time fund-raising. Which leads to the next question:

“Why do volunteers conduct fund raisers?”

Paid fire departments don’t need to fund raise because the taxpayers finance their equipment. Volunteer departments do not have the benefit of tax funding, instead, they must fund raise. It costs more than $11000 to equip each firefighter. Here in Fairfield Glade, we receive a donation from the Community Club. This donation only covers 43% of our total annual expenses and provides no funding for our major equipment or apparatus. The time has come to replace the 30-year-old GMC fire engine. The replacement cost of this vehicle can easily exceed $600,000.00. Fairfield Glade residents are very supportive of our fundraisers. The proceeds of our fundraisers like the 5k Run, Pancake Breakfasts and boot drives provide much needed operating/capital funds, but these fundraisers alone cannot support the purchase of a new engine.

“What would happen if we didn’t have Fairfield Glade Volunteer Fire Department?”

First, you would have to wait for apparatus and personnel to come from Cumberland County FD and/or City of Crossville FD. That’s at least a 20-minute response time. Currently, through the efforts of your Fairfield Glade Fire Department our Insurance Services Office rating is less than 5. If we didn’t have our fire department this rating would jump to more than 8 and that will raise your homeowner’s insurance rates considerably.

So, you ask, “What can I do to help?”

First, if you’ve experienced first-hand the assistance of the FGFD volunteers, let friends and neighbors know – a smoke or CO alarm, a landing zone stand-by while waiting transfer of a loved one by helicopter, an ambulance call for a “lift assist”, or maybe an extrication from a vehicle following a crash – it’s not just “firefighting”. Tell people you would not want to see our community without fire protection. Second, continue to support all our the fundraisers – everyone works hard to make these a success. Third – consider this – if every household (not individual) made a $100 donation, there would be enough monies to give our fire department the new truck – think about it!  Should people who unselfishly give of their time and put themselves at risk be required to work so hard for equipment that helps keep us safe? Aren’t they already giving enough? I think I can give up a couple of dinners out with my husband or skip the next mani/pedi because it’s worth it to me – is it important enough to you?

Respectfully Submitted,

Loni Monahan with contributions from many concerned Glade Residents