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Fire district annexation opposed Petitions aim to force election on expansion east of Ashland By Tony Boom Dorothy Mitchell has lost a house to fire but says a proposal to annex her rural property into a fire district provide no real security. So on Friday, she turned in more than 100 petition signatures in an effort to force an election and defeat a proposed Fire District 5 annexation of her property and others along or near Dead Indian Memorial Road, east of Ashland. Jackson County commissioners supported the annexation earlier this month, but in accordance with state statutes, a vote is held if 100 or more valid signatures are collected. The signatures must first be verified by the county clerk�s office. Annexation would expand the district from mile marker 3 on Dead Indian Memorial Road to the summit at Buck Prairie Road. Area residents seeking fire and emergency protection requested the services. District 5�s board of directors supported the request, which was approved by the commissioners 2-1 after property at the end of Cove Road was removed based on public testimony. Commissioner Ric Holt voted against the proposal, while Jack Walker and Sue Kupillas voted in favor. Another hearing on the annexation is scheduled before the commissioners Wednesday. Mitchell lost her house to fire in 1969. She has lived in the area since 1960. "I know how long it takes a house to burn. They couldn�t get here in enough time," said Mitchell, who lives on Cove Road, off Dead Indian Memorial Road. Mitchell, her husband and sons own two land sections and other property in the area. They have 12 rental units on their land. District 5 personnel have done test runs to determine response times for their vehicles and say they can get there in time. "We can provide adequate protection," said Darin Welburn, division chief. The district�s fire station near Emigrant Lake Park is the closest to Mitchell�s home. Mitchell says she is also concerned about paying for forest protection and paying the district for its structure and emergency medical care protection. The district rate is $3.19 per $1,000 of assessed value, or $319 per year for a $100,000 home. District 5 coverage might result in lower fire insurance rates. The district is rated as a 5 on the 10-point Insurance Service Organization scale, said Welburn. A rating of 1 is the top rating. "People who live up here know enough to carry enough insurance," said Pat Lockheed, who lives on Dead Indian Memorial Road. "My taxes will increase (up to) $500 to $600 per year." Lockheed�s insurance agent said her rating would drop only to a 9 from a 10. She said those in favor have claimed they will drop to a 5 rating and see offsetting insurance savings. Everyone attending a first meeting on the annexation in March was interested in the proposal, said Linda Olsen, who requested that the district�s board annex the area. But when it became closer to reality, those opposed started voicing their opinions, she said. "It�s partially insurance and partially the concern, and the reality, that if I have an emergency no one will come if I call 911," said Olsen, who lives on Dead Indian Memorial Road. If Olsen�s home caught fire, Oregon Department of Forestry firefighters would stand by in case flames leaped from the house to trees, but would not fight a structure fire, said Olson. "I hope a majority of the people see the importance of the safety issue and vote yes and that they aren�t motivated just by dollars," said Olsen. "I�m not surprised it�s going to a vote." About eight square miles would be added to the district�s 105 square miles under the proposal. The district runs from Carpenter Hill and Fern Valley roads near Phoenix south throughout the valley, excluding the cities of Phoenix and Ashland. It also includes property along old Highway 99 to Callahan�s Lodge and on Highway 66 to the Greensprings Summit. The district has stations on Highway 99 in Talent and on Highway 66 across from the entrance to Emigrant Lake Park. Residents in the proposed addition and those already in the district will vote on the annexation. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.