Village President Promises Ambulance Issue Won't 'Fester'

Mount Pleasant Village President Mark Gleason Monday promised the Sturtevant village board that the on-going ambulance issue will not linger much longer.

"I'm not being overcritical, but three years to make a decision is way outside the boundaries," he said. "This will be a priority issue, but Mount Pleasant has a process to go through ... not a decision that I will allow to fester."

The Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant village boards met during a special joint board meeting for the first time since officials signed the South Shore Fire Department consolidation agreement in 2008.

Sturtevant Administrator Mary Cole reviewed the benefits to both communities before the board discussion got fully underway; saying Mount Pleasant got a new station and equipment while Sturtevant got the staff.

South Shore Fire Chief Bob Stedman also provided some insight on the consolidation, saying the problems that need to be overcome now stem from not following the McGrath study that spelled out how to consolidate.

"The issues in the South Shore Fire Department are from not following parts of the consolidation study, but we can find solutions," he said.

To listen to a full recording of the meeting, click here for Rees Robert's blog.

But for the most part, the meeting circled around the stalled ambulance purchase, with the Sturtevant board stressing that they've budgeted appropriately for a new ambulance each year for the past three and are just waiting to write the check while Mount Pleasant continues to explore a remount.

Sturtevant President Steve Jansen bluntly said it's time to buy a new ambulance.

"The most frustrating thing for Sturtevant is the ambulance; it's time to put it to bed so we can focus on needs and necessary equipment so South Shore can do their jobs," he said.

Mount Pleasant Trustee Gary Feest said he hasn't felt like he could make a decision because he's asked for the numbers for both a new rig and a remounted unit, but hasn't gotten anything even close.

"Trustees and/or staff should talk to departments who use remounts," he remarked. "It's time to do the responsible thing and not listen to folks just stomping their feet saying they want a new one."

Sturtevant Trustee Chris Larsen countered Feest's comments by saying Sturtevant trustees are being responsible to all taxpayers by wanting the fire department to have equipment that works.

"Our board is advocating for taxpayers who rely on a fire department that needs equipment that works," he said. "This not a Sturtevant thing or a Mount Pleasant thing; this is a South Shore Fire thing. It's been too long, and we need to take care of this now."

The meeting concluded with South Shore Fire Chief Bob Stedman confirming that the apparatus committee will review all the bids that came in on May 6. Members will prepare packets by May 31 for all trustees to look over.

Reaction about the purpose of the meeting was positive overall.

"This was a good thing and should happen more often," said Mount Pleasant Administrator Kurt Wahlen.

Sturtevant Trustee John Johnson agreed.

"We have to work together, and we have a duty to make it work," he said.