Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Solution sought to provide Watersmeet ambulance service

By RALPH ANSAMI

[email protected]

Bessemer — A Watersmeet resident told the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners Tuesday that the passage of the ambulance millage “has left a bad taste in people’s mouths” in the eastern end of the county.

At a meeting where an an ambulance authority was appointed by county board chair George Peterson, of Watersmeet, the meeting started with a public appearance by Yvonne Clark, of Watersmeet.

A three-year millage that will generate $523,000 the first year was approved by a more than 60 percent vote countywide.

Clark criticized the board because it had “no specific plan” as to how the money would be used.

She also said some federal grant money should be available to reduce the millage.

James Lorenson, who will chair the new ambulance authority, once again said there’s no guarantee that Watersmeet will receive an ambulance, but that’s the goal. Watersmeet is now served by an ambulance service in Iron River.

Lorenson said it would cost at least $300,000 to place a rig in Watersmeet, in conjunction with the use of first responders from the community. The cost would rise to as high as $750,000 with full-time employees stationed there, he said.

Clark spoke before the county board agreed to send out requests for bids to provide countywide ambulance services for 2019.

Beacon Ambulance currently provides service to most of Gogebic County through a contract that ends Dec. 31.

Ballot wording specified the millage will be levied for 2019-21, but the bid proposals to Michigan and Wisconsin entities cover one year only.

The ambulance authority will select the company to provide the service. A vote on the recommendation will then come before the full county board.

Other members of the authority include sheriff Peter Matonich, prosecutor Nick Jacobs, county administrator Julianne Giackino, county board members Joe Bonovetz and Jeff Wasley, county emergency government coordinator Jim Loeper, Paula Chermside of Aspirus Ironwood Hospital, county treasurer Lisa Hewitt and physicians Dr. Gary Pusatari and Gina Santori.

The board thanked Clark for her comments.