Ill. Area Officials Say Ambulance Rescue District Needed

March 03--GRUNDY COUNTY -- The demographic of the Mazon-Verona-Kinsman area has changed in a subtle but important way.

Tamara Halterman, organizer of the potential new MVK Rescue Squad District, said at one time the area's volunteer first responders owned, operated or worked in businesses in municipalities. Now, volunteer first responders work elsewhere at their day jobs and rarely are available between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Because of the change, Halterman said, the MVK area is in desperate need of an ambulance rescue district. Patients have to wait for Dwight, Seneca or Morris.

"Most everyone works outside of town," Halterman said. "Our population is a bit older and needs the help. The response time would be much less if we can get this going."

The district would serve ambulance calls for an area of 90 square miles that includes Mazon, Verona and Kinsman as well as Goodfarm, Highland and a portion of Erienna townships. This area is served on fire calls by volunteers in the Mazon Fire Protection District and the Verona Kinsman Fire Protection District.

In December, Grundy County Circuit Judge Lance Peterson granted community members the right to organize the MVK Rescue Squad District, as well as place on the March 15 primary ballot a referendum question asking for tax dollars to be levied for the new district. A processing error last year prevented the referendum from being placed on the April 7, 2015, ballot.

The district estimates it will need $90,000 a year to keep the district staffed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, which is when the majority of its volunteer fire department staff have work commitments. If the referendum passes, the rescue squad district will go again in front of the court within 30 to 60 days, where it will be recognized, and in June, the Grundy County Board would be asked to approve a board for the district. The district then would levy tax money in December 2016 to be collected in 2017.

Organizers have approached other taxing bodies -- such as the county and townships and villages that would be serviced by the district -- and asked for help in raising funds to start operations as soon as possible. Halterman said despite donations, the district is still short $20,000 to $30,000 of starting the program.

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The referendum question on the March 15 ballot for Mazon-Verona-Kinsman area residents will read:

Shall the territory comprising the Mazon Fire Protection District and Verona/Kinsman Fire Protection District lying within Maine, Mazon, Vienna, Highland and Goodfarm Townships, Grundy County, Illinois be organized as the Mazon/Verona/Kinsman Rescue Squad District and shall the District be authorized to levy and collect a property tax not to exceed .20% on the property situated in the District?

Copyright 2016 - Morris Daily Herald, Ill.