If the Palesky referendum had passed two years ago, I would probably be dead. So would hundreds of other Maine residents.

I suffered a heart attack at my home. I am alive because the well-trained emergency medical personnel from my local fire department were able to respond quickly enough to a phone call and got me to the hospital.

I am still alive today because Bangor can fund its fire department adequately. If Palesky were in effect two years ago, we would not have the ambulance and other emergency services that we need. We might not have any ambulance service at all.

Many of us have a family member or friend whose life was saved or who received critical medical care because such services are available. Can we risk what would happen if those services are cut back?

Who will benefit from the spending cuts that will occur? Certainly an ordinary citizen like myself would not. Will we save enough on our property taxes to make the risk worthwhile?

Speaking for myself, I certainly do not think so. I am not willing to find out. I am voting no.

Betsy Soldati-Glanville

Bangor