Petition Drive Seeks to Halt Transfer of Fire Services
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An El Monte residents group has launched a petition drive for a measure that would let voters decide whether the city should transfer fire protection services to the county fire district.
Leaders of El Monteans for Responsible Local Government said they oppose a council-approved plan to replace the El Monte Fire Department with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
“We, the voters of El Monte, have never been given the privilege of a vote,” said Ken Clark, the group’s organizer. “A decade ago the people of El Monte rejected the county 2 to 1 and I believe they will do so again.”
The group must gather the signatures of 10% of the registered voters--about 3,000--by Sept. 11 to put the measure on the ballot next year.
The City Council this month approved a tentative agreement to switch to the county, saying it would save $1 million annually. Under the deal, existing fire stations and most of the personnel would be absorbed by the county.
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