As I watch the battle over the regional ambulance service for South Deerfield, Whately and Sunderland, I believe it should stay in South Deerfield for the following reasons.
Who has the most schools and factories in their district? The answer is South Deerfield.
There’s a whole new factor to look at, and that is terrorism in any one of these schools or factories.
Who has the fastest way to get to any of the hospitals? South Deerfield, of course.
This whole debate is like the swimming hole that was regionalized years ago. South Deerfield ended up with most of the responsibility. If this service was up and running, do you think it would be faster for every one, with all the new traffic being dumped on us due to the construction on Route 9 in Hadley?
Wouldn’t it be cheaper to house two or more ambulances in each town? When you have meetings like this, it’s politics as usual, and this is why residents should have the deciding vote. After all, it’s their money.
This issue is too big for selectmen to decide. This is just like the election we’re having: as long as you have named parties, you get lousy results.
Wouldn’t Sunderland be better off joining Amherst?
I’m writing this letter as a resident and taxpayer of Deerfield.
Noel Gomez
South Deerfield