Okay, so let me get this straight. The Thousand Oaks City Council is “debating”–– and will apparently continue to debate for years––the services we receive from Ventura County Fire Protection District.

Let’s get real!

Here’s a service provider that will be at any doorstep within minutes whenever somebody picks up a phone and declares an emergency. They provide a multitude of services and resources within minutes for whatever the “incident” requires and put their lives on the line with no questions asked.

Try to name another agency, government or private, that provides this type of quality service. You can’t. The city’s own survey reflects that almost 90 percent think the district’s service to the community is outstanding, and I concur.

Let’s not waste more time, energy and money “debating” this issue. There’s no debate.

The city can’t afford, nor could it get, a better service provider for this community.

Let’s do something radical like save some of the money the council says we don’t have by firing the city’s consultant and work with the Fire District to maintain the best service levels possible. Believe me, the district is constantly working toward this goal.

Instead, let’s focus our efforts on debating real issues facing this city. Perhaps some that are actually identified in your quality of life “survey.”

Let’s stop creating issues and wasting money on problems that don’t exist. Jim Phelps Thousand Oaks