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MY VIEW: There’s more to fire contract dispute
By Brian Gay
Kinderhook
After reading articles in the Register-Star, it’s apparent that all sides are not being heard in this ongoing conflict involving Kinderhook/Stuyvesant. There are two separate issues here.
1. The dispute over coverage of a part of Stuyvesant now covered by the village of Kinderhook. This dispute began when the Stuyvesant Fire Company informed the village of Kinderhook that the Kinderhook Fire Company would no longer be required to cover that portion of the town of Stuyvesant, which is in the Stuyvesant Fire Company’s Fire Protection Zone.
2. The Kinderhook Town Board reacted to the Stuyvesant Fire Company by proposing taking back the part of Kinderhook now protected by Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company. This action by the Town Board is now involving and penalizing the Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company for Stuyvesant Fire Company’s action. Everyone should be aware that the Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company had absolutely no part in the Stuyvesant Fire Company’s decision. The Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company is a separate entity, with separate members, equipment and funding. The real people being penalized are the Kinderhook residents now covered by the Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company.
Let’s start with the fact that Stuyvesant Fire Company (Stuyvesant Fire Commissioners) would like to cover the northern end of their town. I’m not sure of the motivation, I just hope it is not monetary because the first consideration should be fire safety. I also hope the affected residents were notified and their wishes considered. This is the second time this has come up in the last four years or so. In reality, this is a contract between the Stuyvesant Fire Commissioners and the village of Kinderhook and not the town of Kinderhook. Regardless of the outcome, that whole issue should be about the change in fire protection for those residents of Stuyvesant.
Now, to the town of Kinderhook, where I am a resident. I happen to live in the district the town of Kinderhook is using as pay back for the village of Kinderhook’s problems with the Stuyvesant Fire Commissioners. I see no reason to change the coverage on my end of the town of Kinderhook. This Fire Protection District was formed in response to a petition by the residents 45 years ago, asking to be covered by the Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company, which is closer than the Kinderhook Firehouse.
The Town Board of Kinderhook has received another petition with 92 signatures requesting the town leave the fire coverage with Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company (not reported by the press). This is by far the majority of the residents in this district. This changes response time, the initial response equipment and probably insurance rates for the affected homeowners. Stuyvesant Falls is better equipped for rural firefighting with more equipment, one of which is a tanker.
It has been stated that the village of Kinderhook could protect that area just as well as Stuyvesant Falls through a Mutual Aid Agreement. This is not the truth. Any neighboring fire company could also set up mutual aid and cover this area (i.e., Niverville, Valatie, Ghent, West Ghent, etc.). The initial response is critical when it comes to fighting fires. Fire doubles in size every minute. The Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company is closer, more equipped and the residents wish coverage to stay the same. This is what is best for this district.
I would like someone on the Kinderhook Town Board to represent us and speak out on this issue. What are your priorities? Are you more concerned with doing what is right (resident safety and fire protection), or are there political agendas that are more important? Another option is to form a Board of Fire Commissioners for this district. I’m sure I can come up with five volunteers — the only part-time paid position would be the secretary. Then we could contract with what we think is the best option.
It is obvious Doug McGivney wishes to “stick it to” the town of Stuyvesant any way he can. In reality, he is “sticking it to” town of Kinderhook residents now covered by Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company. Perhaps he should be more concerned about fire safety of our Kinderhook residents and let Stuyvesant look out for theirs. This is nothing but a money grab on McGivney’s part. I invite all political candidates to speak out on this issue before the election.
Some will say I have a skewed perspective because I’m a member of Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company. But please be aware, that my family and I are also residents of the town of Kinderhook and this just happens to be the best way to protect our property and at least 91 other residents in this district agree.
1. The dispute over coverage of a part of Stuyvesant now covered by the village of Kinderhook. This dispute began when the Stuyvesant Fire Company informed the village of Kinderhook that the Kinderhook Fire Company would no longer be required to cover that portion of the town of Stuyvesant, which is in the Stuyvesant Fire Company’s Fire Protection Zone.
2. The Kinderhook Town Board reacted to the Stuyvesant Fire Company by proposing taking back the part of Kinderhook now protected by Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company. This action by the Town Board is now involving and penalizing the Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company for Stuyvesant Fire Company’s action. Everyone should be aware that the Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company had absolutely no part in the Stuyvesant Fire Company’s decision. The Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company is a separate entity, with separate members, equipment and funding. The real people being penalized are the Kinderhook residents now covered by the Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company.
Let’s start with the fact that Stuyvesant Fire Company (Stuyvesant Fire Commissioners) would like to cover the northern end of their town. I’m not sure of the motivation, I just hope it is not monetary because the first consideration should be fire safety. I also hope the affected residents were notified and their wishes considered. This is the second time this has come up in the last four years or so. In reality, this is a contract between the Stuyvesant Fire Commissioners and the village of Kinderhook and not the town of Kinderhook. Regardless of the outcome, that whole issue should be about the change in fire protection for those residents of Stuyvesant.
Now, to the town of Kinderhook, where I am a resident. I happen to live in the district the town of Kinderhook is using as pay back for the village of Kinderhook’s problems with the Stuyvesant Fire Commissioners. I see no reason to change the coverage on my end of the town of Kinderhook. This Fire Protection District was formed in response to a petition by the residents 45 years ago, asking to be covered by the Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company, which is closer than the Kinderhook Firehouse.
The Town Board of Kinderhook has received another petition with 92 signatures requesting the town leave the fire coverage with Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company (not reported by the press). This is by far the majority of the residents in this district. This changes response time, the initial response equipment and probably insurance rates for the affected homeowners. Stuyvesant Falls is better equipped for rural firefighting with more equipment, one of which is a tanker.
It has been stated that the village of Kinderhook could protect that area just as well as Stuyvesant Falls through a Mutual Aid Agreement. This is not the truth. Any neighboring fire company could also set up mutual aid and cover this area (i.e., Niverville, Valatie, Ghent, West Ghent, etc.). The initial response is critical when it comes to fighting fires. Fire doubles in size every minute. The Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company is closer, more equipped and the residents wish coverage to stay the same. This is what is best for this district.
I would like someone on the Kinderhook Town Board to represent us and speak out on this issue. What are your priorities? Are you more concerned with doing what is right (resident safety and fire protection), or are there political agendas that are more important? Another option is to form a Board of Fire Commissioners for this district. I’m sure I can come up with five volunteers — the only part-time paid position would be the secretary. Then we could contract with what we think is the best option.
It is obvious Doug McGivney wishes to “stick it to” the town of Stuyvesant any way he can. In reality, he is “sticking it to” town of Kinderhook residents now covered by Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company. Perhaps he should be more concerned about fire safety of our Kinderhook residents and let Stuyvesant look out for theirs. This is nothing but a money grab on McGivney’s part. I invite all political candidates to speak out on this issue before the election.
Some will say I have a skewed perspective because I’m a member of Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company. But please be aware, that my family and I are also residents of the town of Kinderhook and this just happens to be the best way to protect our property and at least 91 other residents in this district agree.
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