Letter: write-in candidate hopes to save Park Ridge Fire Department

To My Park Ridge Neighbors-

On February 20, in inclement weather, nearly 60 percent of my village neighbors declared their support for needed improvements to support the Village of Park Ridge Volunteer Fire Department.

This was by a margin of nearly 2-to-1. Though the referendum was “advisory” in nature, residents clearly expressed their wishes. It is my understanding that some of the current trustees on the board and the candidates for election might not agree with the results of this referendum. They have expressed a desire to pursue further specifics for village fire protection services from the City of Stevens Point, which I see as threatening the very existence of our fire department.

Current Trustees, Dr. Steven Bergin (whose term expires in 2019) and Randy Busch, currently up for re-election, appear to support making needed improvements for the fire department, but since they appear to be outnumbered , their votes might not be enough. I agree with Dr. Bergin and Mr. Busch and I am confident in the fire department’s abilities to safely continue fire protection, as they always have done so in the past.

For these reasons, I am announcing my registered write-in candidacy for trustee, and my support for the re-election of Trustee Randy Busch.

My late husband, Elmer, and I moved to Park Ridge in 1976. He attained the status of being the longest-serving village trustee, serving from 1977 until his death in 2012. He also proudly served as our Village Fire Chief. I share and continue to embrace his passion for the village and our fire department. He believed, “If you lose the fire department, you will lose the village”.

To preserve his legacy, and to support our committed and well-trained fire protection volunteers, I urge you to VOTE RANDY BUSCH and WRITE ME IN for Trustee on April 3rd

Our Village motto is “Neighbors Helping Neighbors”—please do just that on April 3.

Charm Fournier
Park Ridge