Why They Voted
On Tuesday the Lincoln Parish Police Jury rejected an offer from the city of Ruston to extend the Ruston Fire Department’s emergency medical and rescue services to the parish through 2023 for $645,604 on a 3-6 vote.
The Leader asked jurors to expound on why they voted one way or the other.
Theresa Wyatt - NO
“No one ever said it was inferior service. We thought Ruston was doing a good job.
“We were not paying enough (to Ruston for ambulance service). The issue is, how do we get the money to pay for the service?
“There were people in the parish telling me, ‘if Ruston is given this money, I’m not going to vote for a fire tax renewal in the rural area.’ It became more about giving Ruston the money than about the service. “The message we were trying to convey was lost.”
Hazel Hunter - NO
“The money was going to come from the (American Rescue Plan Act). I wanted the money to stay with the health unit. We’ve been needing the health unit for many, many years. If we keep bititng off more money here and there, we may not be able to build it like we want to build it.”
Note: The police jury is in the early stages of constructing a “Health Hub” location for the parish health unit and other services and is using ARPA funds to pay for that project.
“Building costs are so expensive these days. It’s going higher and higher. I wanted to make sure we could build a first-class health unit. That’s what the citizens deserve.”
Glenn Scriber - NO
“All I want is for the (ambulance service) committee to be thorough and transparent so when all the facts are presented to the jury, we will have all the information necessary to make a confident, well thought-out decision for the parish.
“I want peace of mind about this thing — to tell the citizens this is the best option, having looked at everything you can look at.”
Matt Pullin - YES
“I think we needed more time to figure out more solutions to our problem. Voting no just to vote no, that to me was not a good decision, because we don’t have a plan ready for what we’re going to do in five months.
“The one-year extension is a short-term solution to let us find and put together a long-term solution and funding. I’m not saying Ruston is the way to go, but based on what I know, Ruston has been the cheapest option.
“Give us a year, let’s put out (Requests for Proposals), let’s see if the fire district can put together a rescue squad, and what that’s going to cost.
“It’s going to cost (as much as Ruston’s offer) either way.”
Logan Hunt - YES
“If we had an issue with the Ruston Fire Department, whether it be in response times or quality of care, then OK, but that simply wasn’t the case. I have been involved in emergency services in this parish for 20 years and know firsthand that we were receiving exceptional service.
“I am also extremely disappointed in my fellow jurors that disregarded the recommendation of the ambulance committee that they themselves formed, a committee that included the mayors or their appointees from Grambling, Dubach, Simsboro, Choudrant, and Downsville, a committee that had no agenda other than finding the best long-term solution on this most important issue.
“The committee was simply asking for more time to come up with a sustainable long-term solution and funding mechanism. We now have a few short months left and fewer options on the table.
Skip Russell - ABSENT
Note: Russell was not present for Tuesday’s vote, but Friday he provided comment about what he thinks the parish should do next.
“I think a sales tax for the parish would be the way to go, maybe an eighth of a cent.
“The city of Ruston’s sales tax rate is among the highest in the nation, but the parish is down near 8% I believe. I think the people of the parish would consider an eighth sales tax to pay for something as important as ambulance service.”
