In my opinion, Mariposa residents in District 3 are allowing the “Not in My Backyard” (NIMBY) philosophy to put public safety, home insurability (and hence value) at risk.

The County Fire Chief Jim Wilson, made a presentation to the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors entitled: “Mariposa County Fire—Upholding the Public Trust,” which was unanimously adopted as the County position. See the County Web Page at www.mariposacounty. org/DocumentView.aspx?DI D=3442.

Read it. Chief Wilson’s presentation said (in part:) “Four Fire Stations Require Immediate Replacement;” (Mormon Bar/ Yaqui Gulch #27 is the number one in priority.) This station (built in 1967) should be “Relocated & Rebuilt”; “Bridgeport/Yaqui Gulch Homeowners (are) Under Threat of Losing Insurance”; (and there will be a) “Need to Acquire New Land.”

No one seems to dispute these facts. Most everyone agrees on the need for a new fire station in the Bridgeport/Yaqui Gulch Area. The problem is when nearby neighbors seem to say “Yes, we need one, but not in my backyard. Build it somewhere else.

According to the MARIPOSA GAZETTE (Dec. 3, ), an informal survey of affected property owners said that 14 were in favor of the station, while nine were opposed. According to official materials passed out at a public meeting on Nov. 12, a simple majority of property owners (18/35) would be needed to approve the fire house. Thus, only four more “yes” votes would constitute a majority.

Supervisor Bibby is mentioned in the same MARIPOSA GAZETTE article: that the residents need to be at consensus. “Everybody’s in agreement that they want a fire station,” she is quoted. “But we don’t want to divide the community with a fire house. It will take community support.”

Unlike Supervisor Janet Bibby, I believe we have consensus on the need for a firehouse, just not on where it will be located. On the latter question, I believe that NIMBY rules. We may never gain consensus on where to build it. I believe the residents in our area already want a fire station, just not in their back yard. Other measures (such as imminent domain) may be needed.

We’ve already waited over 20 years for a local fire station. Another 5, 10 or 20 years is untenable. I don’t want an uninsurable home for myself or my heirs.

I am an affected Bridgeport property owner, and I would welcome a neighborhood fire station. Which raises the question: why weren’t all affected Bridgeport property owners formally asked to sign the legal document before reneging on the 4158 Old Highway contingent property escrow?

Michael E. Lichtenstein