Florence exploring financial feasibility of town ambulance
by Mark Cowling | Florence Reminder & Blade Tribune
By a vote of 4-2, the Town Council Monday approved a $30,000 study into the financial feasibility of the Fire Department providing ambulance service.
Councilman John Anderson and Councilwoman Judy Hughes voted against the contract with James Vincent Group. Anderson quoted the late Councilman Bill Hawkins, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” He further said it appeared Mayor Tara Walter has a conflict of interest in the issue. The mayor’s husband is a battalion chief on the Fire Department.
“I absolutely do not (have a conflict),” Walter said, and added the town attorney could put it in writing if necessary. Contacted the next day, Florence spokesman Ben Bitter didn’t immediately recall if the town had a formal legal opinion on it.
