Remember the rotary phone? Touch tone and wireless phones? Now we have cellular, Bluetooth, voice over internet, instant messaging, texting, and even video conferencing. What is the next gadget that will bring new opportunities and that we must have in order to keep up with the “Joneses”?

As a multiple user for requesting services through 911, I was relieved and grateful that there was a response to my need. Yet, many of our daily communication devices cannot be used to request life saving assistance because of the rapidly changing technology and lifestyles of today’s modern electronic “toys.” So I ask …

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I have been a fire service professional for 35 years and currently serve as the fire chief of West Pierce Fire & Rescue. I support Proposition 1 because I’ve seen firsthand how poor communications can wreak havoc on an emergency scene, putting first responders and citizens at risk. I believe it would be irresponsible to allow our patchwork system of six dispatch centers and six radio systems to continue, when Proposition 1 serves as a sensible solution that will create a single, integrated, state of the art system.

Proposition 1 is endorsed by a broad range of emergency service professionals …

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This is certainly not a good time to consider a tax hike – even a 1-cent tax on every $10 purchase. As one who questions taxes of all types, there had better be a good reason to bring this proposal before the voters in November. Turns out, there is.

I have been a physician for over 35 years and have seen the unquestionable value of swift, seamless, timely and actionable information and coordinated response where such efforts have saved lives.

Stories of medical procedures and therapies quickly and thoughtfully applied are common and even expected by a public used to …

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Re: Pierce County Proposition 1 (South Sound 911).

• “The 1/10 of 1 percent sales tax is estimated to generate $11.8 million per year in Pierce County based on current economic conditions. Before growth, that comes to $295 million over 25 years.”

• “Debt issued to construct a seamless 800/700 MHz system with a narrow banded VHF overlay throughout the county service area: $35 million. Debt issued on two new redundant dispatch centers: $75 million. Annual debt service on debt listed prior: $8 million annually/$170 million over the life of the bonds.” ( That leaves a balance of $125 million …

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Re: “Proposition 1: A seamless, modern 911 system” (editorial, 10-16).

While it’s unfortunate that the lack of an integrated 911 system has created the issues that were described in the editorial, it’s also unfortunate that poor planning by public safety leaders allowed the system to get where it is.

When times were good, public safety added staff and equipment but did not tear down the bureaucracies that allowed the multiple 911 and radio systems to perpetuate. Now that the economy is poor, these same leaders want to increase taxes to make up for poor planning.

If this is truly …

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Now that we have held a proud and loving memorial for the 3,000 innocent civilians killed on 9/11, when will we have a memorial for the 100,000 innocent Iraqi civilians we killed in vicious and irrational retaliation?

I was living in Tacoma when the Saudi terrorists hit the twin towers. President Bush wasted no time building a case against Saddam Hussein, but many of us in Tacoma did not see the need for a rush to war and attended rallies at the Federal Building, where a professor from a local university addressed us. During his talk, a couple soldiers also addressed the rally with a chant, “Start the war now!”

These soldiers looked to be 19 or 20 and did not seem to be veterans. The mindset of these kids – that war is the solution for …

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Proposition 1, “South Sound 911″ is an example of unnecessary overtaxation. Pierce County is using the federal mandate to upgrade radio systems to justify asking for a sales tax increase that is overly excessive.

For years Pierce County has known of this looming requirement. For years it has failed to place a high priority on upgrading its radios. Now it doesn’t just want us to pay for its lack of planning but also wants us to give the county enough money to overhaul the entire 911 system.

The county implies our safety is at risk if we reject this plan, …

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