Officials hoping to avoid rescue squad 'turf battle'

By Lisa Majors-Duff

Melton appeared before the Jackson County Board of Commissioners last Thursday (March 21) to express the wish of Unit 1's board of directors to continue serving as the primary rescue provider in northern Jackson County. Modifications to Unit 1's contract with Jackson County removing that designation would not be acceptable, he said.

New language in Unit 1's contract would be required if Qualla Fire and Rescue is allowed to upgrade its contract with the county, naming that organization the primary rescue provider within the Qualla Fire District, county Manager Ken Westmoreland told the board.

"We have highly-trained personnel; we have all the equipment, which is expensive," Melton told the commissioners. "Unit 1 needs to be primary rescue provider for that district."

Qualla Fire Chief David Bell, who was not in attendance at last week's meeting, said Monday that "some ongoing problems that have mostly been worked out" caused Qualla Fire Department personnel to take on additional rescue responsibilities in 1996. That's when Qualla's contract with the county was changed to allow the department to perform vehicle extrications within the district.

"It takes (Unit 1) about 15 minutes to respond down here," Bell said. "That's a long time to wait to get someone out of a car."

Rescue squad volunteers are trained not only to remove individuals trapped in vehicles, but to assist those who get into trouble during so-called recreational outings, such as swift-water rescues, rapelling and rock climbing. They are also charged with coordinating and conducting searches for missing individuals. It is Qualla's wish to take on all these additional responsibilities, Bell said.

Melton questioned the wisdom of a fire department taking on rescue duties. What happens, he asked, if Qualla volunteers are conducting a search when a fire call is received. Will they abandon the search to fight the fire, he asked.

Qualla's request for contract changes come as state guidelines for rescue departments are changing, Bell said. Without the changes, "it would kind of put us on hold," he said.

If Qualla is required to upgrade its contract to qualify for state grant funds, labeling the organization as a "secondary" rescue provider should not hinder that, said Commissioner Stacy Buchanan, who serves as the board's representative to the county fire commission.

Commissioner Roberta Crawford, who represents Qualla community, said her communications with fire department personnel indicated no additional funds would be needed for the upgrade.

"If (Qualla) is going to be primary on all levels of rescue, then, yes, it's going to cost money," Melton said.

Although at least one meeting has been held with Westmoreland, Mike Ensley, the county's emergency services coordinator, and representatives of both Qualla and Unit 1, commissioners will meet tonight (Thursday) with all parties in an effort to find the answers to many of these questions. The special meeting is planned for 6 p.m. at the Justice Center.

In other business last week:

- County attorney Raymond Large reported that attempts to negotiate an amendment in the contract to purchase 42 new electronic voting machines were, so far, unsuccessful. The problem with the original language, Large said, is that it would require the county to pay for the machines - at a cost of $166,690 - before they had been tested and approved during the primary election.

An attorney for Votronic, the company chosen by the county board of elections to supply the new machines, was not satisfied with the proposed language change, said Large, who then suggested the county offer to pay Votronic a reasonable fee for use of the machines during the primary should they be deemed unacceptable.

That, however, prompted Commissioner Conrad Burrell to point out the uncertainty concerning the primary, which has been postponed from its original May 7 date.

"The primary is probably not going to be held until August or September, then the general election will be in November," he said. "We wouldn't have time to negotiate with another company."

The N.C. Board of Elections postponed the May primary as a result of a lawsuit filed by state Republicans claiming the legislative redistricting plan passed by the General Assembly is unconstitutional because too many counties are split into different districts.

After hearing both these concerns, Commission Chairman Jay Denton said he was inclined not to approve the purchase of the IVote machines since technology advancements could cause them to become antiquated rapidly.

"I don't think we should buy the machines. They are going to be obsolete in 10 years," he said. "I bought a computer two years ago, and it's already obsolete."

It was then suggested that the county board of elections be asked to investigate other voting machine companies and have an alternate machine available during the primary. In the meantime, attorney Large said he would continue to negotiate with Votronic in support of the language adjustment.

"If everybody loves (the new voting machines), then it's a moot point," Large said.

Should the county decide to purchase the IVote machines, financing would be secured through BB&T, which offered the lowest interest rate - 4.03 percent - for the three-year life of the loan, finance officer Darlene Fox said.

- With changes made to clarify how the county board chairman would be elected, board members voted 3-2 to approve a resolution calling for staggered terms for the four remaining members. Before last Thursday's vote, the second on this measure, Denton indicated he planned to change his original "yes" vote.

"Has there been a ground swell of support for staggered terms?" Denton asked Commissioner Stacy Buchanan, who proposed the measure, which will be included on the primary ballot. "Have you had people ask for this?"

"A few," Buchanan responded.

"Well, I haven't heard from anybody who wants this," said Commissioner Franz Whitmire, who joined Denton in voting against the resolution. "In fact, I've heard from people who don't want it."

- County Manager Ken Westmoreland reported that the new recreation facility in Cullowhee should be ready for public use by April 15. A few pieces of equipment and staffing are all that remain to be secured for the center to open, he said. A grand opening ceremony could be planned for sometime in May.

- Westmoreland also told the board that because of a rule change approved by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, carpet and carpet padding must now be collected at the county's construction and demolition transfer station. As of April 15, Westmoreland said, staffed recycling centers will stop accepting carpet.

- Upon the county manager's recommendation, commissioners approved a three-year hauling contract with Kinsland Trucking of Bryson City to transport C&D material at cost of $300 a load. The per-load charge is the same as is currently being paid to Millsaps and Sons of Robbinsville, Westmoreland said. Since the county is charged by the load, the contract will call for Kinsland to transport the maximum weight allowed by law - 20,000 pounds - on each trip, he said.

- Commissioners again briefly discussed, but did not decide, how or when to employ someone who would be responsible for advancing technology offerings. The discussion resumed after Westmoreland drafted a memo pointing out his concerns about office space for the new employee and where the position would fit in the chain of command.

"I don't want to be an obstructionist, but we need to think about these things before we hire somebody," Westmoreland said.

"I've always thought we needed (a technology position)," Commissioner Burrell said, a position he's taken many times in the past. "I think we need to upgrade our technology and get it where it ought to be."

- The following appointments were approved: Wanda Herren and Scott Barber to the Travel and Tourism Authority and Sharon Nigro to the Nursing and Adult Care Home Advisory Committee.

- At a special meeting Monday, commissioners awarded Metrostat Technologies of Sylva a $69,640 contract to begin wiring the new Law Enforcement Center. Metrostat's was the highest bid received, Westmoreland said, because the company's proposal was more complete. Bringing the other companies' bids - $34,004 from Verizon and $46,513 from TSA Choice of Asheville - up to Metrostat's standards could cost as much as the more expensive bid.

The next regular meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 7. Bill Williams of the N.C. Department of Transportation's Aviation Division is scheduled to speak on rules for controlling aircraft, specifically helicopters.

Williams was invited to appear after board members requested additional information on ways to regulate sight-seeing helicopters, such as one currently operating in Cherokee. The board's previous attempt to regulate such businesses through a county ordinance was declared unconstitutional in December by a District Court judge.

Back to Archive: 03/28/02.