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Editorials
Oswego Fire District marks 75 years : Editorials : Oswego Ledger-Sentinel : Hometown Newspaper for Oswego and Montgomery, IllinoisOswego Fire District marks 75 years
| 3/17/2011
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Imagine passing a tax hike referendum in the middle of the greatest financial calamity in our nation's history? That's exactly what Oswego area voters did 75 years ago this month as they voted to approve the establishment of the Oswego Fire Protection District as the nation struggled through the Great Depression.
As Ledger-Sentinel columnist Roger Matile, below on this page reports, the 1936 referendum was overwhelming approved by local voters, 229 "yes" votes to just three "no" votes.
The wide margin of victory despite the rotten economy is evidence of the importance that local residents placed on fire protection in the early 20th century. Glance through back issues of the Kendall County Record from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and you'll see that major fires were a common occurrence here. Fortunately, modern construction techniques and fire codes imposed in the latter half of this past century have served to greatly reduce the risk of fires. Nevertheless, the need for fire protection will always be with us.
Over the past three-quarters of a century, the Oswego Fire Protection District has grown from a small, all-volunteer department working out of a single station on the village's Main Street, to a modern 21st century department staffed by highly trained paramedic-firefighters operating out of stations in Oswego, Montgomery and Plainfield.
We're glad that voters in 1936 had the vision and were willing to impose a tax on themselves and future generations to assure this necessary public service would be available. We all hope and pray our families and friends will never need fire or paramedic services, but at the same time it's good to know that it is there in the event we do.
Let's do better
than 12.8 percent
Early voting for the April 5 local election started this past Monday at Oswego Village Hall, 100 Parkers Mill. Between now and next Thursday, March 31 voters registered in Kendall County will be able to cast ballots between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.
For further information about voter registration and voting in Kendall County, contact the county clerk's office at 630-553-04104 or check the clerk's web site at co.kendall.il.us.
Kane County residents seeking voter information should visit the Kane County Clerk's web site at kanecountyelections.org. for early voting information.
Let's see if we can't do better than the dismal 12.8 percent voter turnout in the 2009 local election. If you've voted or are planning to vote, why not call a friend or neighbor and remind them? If they're not sure about voting, you might remind them that the folks who will be elected will be empowered to make some important decisions about how the Oswego School District, Oswegoland Park District and the Villages of Oswego and Montgomery are operated. There actions will continue to have a direct and very real impact on our daily lives and our property tax bills. That's why they call it local government.
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