Rescue arrangementshould be reviewed

To the editor

   
The volunteers on Hillsborough’s Rescue Squad are to be commended for their unselfishness in refusing LOSAP. These funds should be added to the township’s current squad subsidy.
   Lt. David Gwin wants this money to subsidize a second day squad. An addition to the HEMSCORP staff?
   Doesn’t HEMSCORP provide a paid day crew? HEMSCORP is a non-profit corporation with no assets. The township turns over all the Rescue Squad’s assets to HEMSCORP during the day at no fee!
   Unfortunately for us taxpayers, this arrangement creates the possibility for HEMSCORP to have a multi-million dollar liability situation and the township (we taxpayers) will be fully liable since HEMSCORP is "non-profit."
   But HEMSCORP collects fees for services. Fees that could total hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
   Meanwhile the Rescue Squad conducts fund drives and the township provides them with minimal funds and services.
   Lt. Gwin wants these LOSAP funds that were meant to reward the Hillsborough Rescue Squad now be given to the paid-for-hire HEMSCORP staff.
   Why does Mayor Tricarico refuse to implement oversight controls on this situation? Why doesn’t he ask for an independent audit of HEMSCORP’s financial records? Is this another of the townships managerial problems that the mayor hides?
   Deputy Mayor Robert Mack has announced his candidacy for re-election. Heretofore, he has shown himself to be a Tricarico clone.
   At election time, Bob Mack could be known as the man of character and honor who has improved the Rescue Squad’s operation and deserves another term in office.
   Or the voters can remember Bob Mack as the loyal Democratic Party member who blindly followed his party dictates and voted not once but twice for the Promenade and it’s big box stores and problems.

Walter Rodgers
Taylor Avenue