Reply to Wayne's post on Hill-Gandy Report Re: Brown County

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I have looked into the article from Hill-Gandy. And although Gene is a good

friend of mine, that aside, I do have to say it was a fair report. Gandy has

been around Texas EMS for several decades, as a field Paramedic & accomplished

educator. He is a very good attorney, with many accomplishments, such as being

a former federal prosecutor and district attorney.

Although the truth often hurts, Hill-Gandy had a job to do, which was to paint a

true picture of what the situation was in Brown County- even if it was a bad

picture. And although it appears that it has stepped on some peoples toes, and

hurt some feelings, the report speaks volumes.

Sure you can hold back comments, and give benefits of the doubt- but is that

painting a true picture of what was going on, if you hold it back? Ted

Benavides, the city manager in Dallas held back firing Terrell Bolton (the now

ex Dallas police chief) for a long period of time- until the issues kept

accumulating. Even offered him a chance to resign several weeks ago, but didnt

take the offer. When it came down to it, the community wanted to know why it

took place, the council wanted to know why they didnt know what was going on,

and guess who has no answers- the city manager- who held it back and let it

build up over 4 years.

See what happens when you hold stuff back? The problem intensifies, and grows

like a cancer- and can get out of hand in a hurry- just like it did in Dallas

this week.

That's a good reason for Gene & Jane not to hold anything back in thier report.

It sure sounds as though the current operation had serious issues.

J. Hoskins

EMT

EMS Instructor

Licensed Peace Officer

Brown County

I must say that the Brown County situation over the past several

weeks has been something else.

In speaking with the City Manager, I told him that I did not agree

with some of the items that were in the report issued by Hill-Gandy.

I have to agree that they should have spoke with ProMed to see what

there future plans were, but according to several articles, this was

not done. Granted, they felt that there was problems with the

current provider. But, I think that it would have been better to

give them the benefit of the doubt, and placing those remarks in the

report.

As we all know, that this same situation is something that every

community in Texas, could face some where down the road in the near

future, if there are not some changes in Texas EMS. This particular

county has been having EMS problems for several years. Many felt that

the $10,000 per month subsidy was not near enough, and I have to

agree that it was not. Many felt that it should have been about

triple that. If you look at Erath County, they are paying R/M over

$300,000 per yr, which is about right according to some.

I know that the city and county are looking at several different

things, with the last thing being the taxing district, now that they

have time since Gold Star is taking over.

Wayne