Firefighters refuse to put out housefire

tater · 10-06-10, 01:41 PM

I'm fine with it I think.

Most people are forced to pay property taxes to support fire departments—there is no opting out allowed. If people are allowed to otp out, they need to face the consequences.

You need a system where you either force people to pay, or let stuff burn. That or as has been suggested, you put the fire out, then send them a bill for the actual cost of putting out the fire—and put a lien on it if they don't pony up.

AngusJS · 10-06-10, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tater

I'm fine with it I think.

Most people are forced to pay property taxes to support fire departments—there is no opting out allowed. If people are allowed to otp out, they need to face the consequences.

You need a system where you either force people to pay, or let stuff burn. That or as has been suggested, you put the fire out, then send them a bill for the actual cost of putting out the fire—and put a lien on it if they don't pony up.

Again, what if the fire had spread to the paying neighbor's house while he wasn't there - or worse, while he was asleep?

Sad day for him, I guess?

tater · 10-06-10, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngusJS

Again, what if the fire had spread to the paying neighbor's house while he wasn't there - or worse, while he was asleep?

Sad day for him, I guess?

The FD was already there. Protect the neighbor's house. Bottom line if you fail to pay, you should be on the hook not for the lapsed taxes, etc, but for those AND the actual cost of the firefighting (gotta be thousands per hour).

Schroeder · 10-06-10, 04:51 PM

They should have extinguished the fire and presented him the bill for it. That would have been fairer in my opinion.

CaptainMattJ. · 10-06-10, 06:10 PM

oh please. this is just inhumane and wrong. letting somebodies entire life burn down because of 75$? Cold heartless bastards. They even said they would pay whatever it took if they put out the fire. thats just insanity. the owner wouldve been more then happy to pay the 75$ from then on plus whatever else he could give. But because of 75$ they let his house, his memories, his belongings, his PETS burn to death for SEVENTY FIVE DOLLARS!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! this is disgusting. it makes me sick to the core. theres no excuse for this. i hope he gets whatever he sues for, and i hope the mayor and fire chief have their wn houses burn to know what it feels like.

If they pay their dam taxes then there shouldnt be any sort of extra "fee" AFTER hes paid his taxes.

razark · 10-06-10, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainMattJ.

If they pay their dam taxes then there shouldnt be any sort of extra "fee" AFTER hes paid his taxes.

The fire department was paid for by the city. This fellow lived outside the city. He paid no taxes to the city, meaning he did not pay for the fire department.

The city made the fire department available to people living outside the city for an annual fee of $75. This fellow did not pay the fee. He was not entitled to services he did not pay for, and seems to be willing to pay only when his house was on fire.

Zachstar · 10-06-10, 09:19 PM

A libertarian's wet dream. For profit police and fire departments fleecing people and then refusing to put out fires for the poor.

Now don't get me wrong. The man moved out there to avoid taxes and should have been given one HELL of a fine (500-1000USD) but the libertarian view of just letting it burn to save taxpayer funds is beyond wrong.

Heard there was going to be a lawsuit on this. Glad to hear it.

August · 10-06-10, 05:31 PM

The fire department cannot abrogate it's responsibilities because of an unpaid fee. This will go to court and the owner will win a new house plus pain and suffering for the lost pets. Then depending on the amount of damage they may also get a second lawsuit from the guy onto whose property the fire was allowed to spread.

This is going to be a very expensive lesson for the mayor and the town.

AngusJS · 10-06-10, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tater

The FD was already there. Protect the neighbor's house. Bottom line if you fail to pay, you should be on the hook not for the lapsed taxes, etc, but for those AND the actual cost of the firefighting (gotta be thousands per hour).

No, they weren't. They only arrived when that neighbor called.

Again, if that neighbor had not been there to call, or had not been able to call, we could be looking at two houses lost, and serious injuries or deaths.

All over 75 @%*#& dollars.

Bubblehead Nuke · 10-06-10, 08:27 PM

As a resident of the Great State of Tennessee, I have a little insight into this issue.

First, the fire department will not be held accountable. Part of the deeding process is a clear declaration of the fee and the homeowners responsibilty to pay it for future possible services rendered.

There is another side of this story. One that is conventiently overlooked.

One of the differences:

When I lived in Florida, things like emegency services were INCLUDED in that high property tax bill you got once a year. Yes, there is a lot more than just that, but it was an inclusive tax levyed upon the homeowner if you are in or out of an urban area.

In Tennessee, if you are OUTSIDE of an urban area, they are not required to provide ANY emergency services. It is up to the local goverments to determine the quantity and quality of the emergency services. In my community, the local 'fire service fee' is 250 bucks a year. It is TOTALLY optional to me. I can choose to pay it or not. It is my choice. If my house catches fire, they will NOT resppnd. They send me a letter STATING that I would be on the non-response list when they did not get the payment by a certain date. They take payment at the courthouse OR the firehouse and remove your name immediately. It is an easy fix.

In Florida, my property taxes were about $1300/year for a small house. Here, it is $225/year for a house TWICE the size.

This is one reason why property taxes in Tennessee are so low. They do not levy an all inclusive tax upon a homeowner.

He forgot?? BS. This guy gambled. Pure and simple.

He lost.

10-06-10, 04:51 PM	#4
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	They should have extinguished the fire and presented him the bill for it. That would have been fairer in my opinion. __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.

10-06-10, 06:10 PM	#5
CaptainMattJ. The Old Man Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sin City Posts: 1,364 Downloads: 55 Uploads: 0	oh please. this is just inhumane and wrong. letting somebodies entire life burn down because of 75$? Cold heartless bastards. They even said they would pay whatever it took if they put out the fire. thats just insanity. the owner wouldve been more then happy to pay the 75$ from then on plus whatever else he could give. But because of 75$ they let his house, his memories, his belongings, his PETS burn to death for SEVENTY FIVE DOLLARS!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! this is disgusting. it makes me sick to the core. theres no excuse for this. i hope he gets whatever he sues for, and i hope the mayor and fire chief have their wn houses burn to know what it feels like. If they pay their dam taxes then there shouldnt be any sort of extra "fee" AFTER hes paid his taxes. __________________ A popular Government without popular information nor the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives - James Madison

10-06-10, 09:19 PM	#7
Zachstar Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 1,956 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	A libertarian's wet dream. For profit police and fire departments fleecing people and then refusing to put out fires for the poor. Now don't get me wrong. The man moved out there to avoid taxes and should have been given one HELL of a fine (500-1000USD) but the libertarian view of just letting it burn to save taxpayer funds is beyond wrong. Heard there was going to be a lawsuit on this. Glad to hear it. __________________

10-06-10, 05:31 PM	#8
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,202 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The fire department cannot abrogate it's responsibilities because of an unpaid fee. This will go to court and the owner will win a new house plus pain and suffering for the lost pets. Then depending on the amount of damage they may also get a second lawsuit from the guy onto whose property the fire was allowed to spread. This is going to be a very expensive lesson for the mayor and the town. __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

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10-06-10, 01:41 PM	#1
tater Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Mexico, USA Posts: 9,023 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 2	I'm fine with it I think. Most people are forced to pay property taxes to support fire departments—there is no opting out allowed. If people are allowed to otp out, they need to face the consequences. You need a system where you either force people to pay, or let stuff burn. That or as has been suggested, you put the fire out, then send them a bill for the actual cost of putting out the fire—and put a lien on it if they don't pony up.

10-06-10, 08:27 PM	#10
Bubblehead Nuke XO Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 435 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	As a resident of the Great State of Tennessee, I have a little insight into this issue. First, the fire department will not be held accountable. Part of the deeding process is a clear declaration of the fee and the homeowners responsibilty to pay it for future possible services rendered. There is another side of this story. One that is conventiently overlooked. One of the differences: When I lived in Florida, things like emegency services were INCLUDED in that high property tax bill you got once a year. Yes, there is a lot more than just that, but it was an inclusive tax levyed upon the homeowner if you are in or out of an urban area. In Tennessee, if you are OUTSIDE of an urban area, they are not required to provide ANY emergency services. It is up to the local goverments to determine the quantity and quality of the emergency services. In my community, the local 'fire service fee' is 250 bucks a year. It is TOTALLY optional to me. I can choose to pay it or not. It is my choice. If my house catches fire, they will NOT resppnd. They send me a letter STATING that I would be on the non-response list when they did not get the payment by a certain date. They take payment at the courthouse OR the firehouse and remove your name immediately. It is an easy fix. In Florida, my property taxes were about $1300/year for a small house. Here, it is $225/year for a house TWICE the size. This is one reason why property taxes in Tennessee are so low. They do not levy an all inclusive tax upon a homeowner. He forgot?? BS. This guy gambled. Pure and simple. He lost.