Station needed

EDITOR: As a former director of the Fountaingrove Ranch Master Association, our board reviewed the horrors of the 1964 Henley Fire in our area and addressed how to permanently reduce wildfire dangers on our hill containing more than 1,500 expensive homes.

Fire fuel has been greatly reduced annually on more than 100 acres of open space and more than 300 acres of the Fountaingrove II open space area, including the Newgate fire station site.

It became clear that a nearby fire station was needed to provide quick response for our public safety, so the Newgate site was obtained and funded. It's now time to build this fire station to increase our safety and property value and to protect all owners in the event of another terrible wildfire.

Obviously the Planning Commission agrees. Furthermore, with many new senior retirement complexes recently built or approved in Fountaingrove, in addition to the existing 1,500 homes, the need for rapid fire response is even stronger.

It is unreasonable for a few Newgate residents to oppose the station simply because they don't want a small fire station in their view. The City Council should deny their appeals and support timely construction of the Newgate fire station.

EDWARD MARGASON

Santa Rosa