Dear Editor,

As a 32-year resident of Coarsegold, I object to being charged a fee for fire prevention. Current regulations already require that our properties are to provide protection for not only our own property, but also for the properties belonging to neighbors.

The local fire department drives around looking for noncompliance. Notice is then sent to violators. As I understand the regulation, the violator is given a reasonable period of time to comply. If the violator does not comply, then a government agency will make the property conform and bill the violator.

New regulations are not needed. Just enforce our current regulations. I pay $300 to $1,000 a year to make my property fire safe.

I won't pay another $300 per year because some property owners don't comply.

It seems to me that our present enforcement departments are not doing the job. If it is the lack of funding, then hire people to do the work to make property owners comply with current regulations. When billing the violators add significant service fees and penalties. If these fees and penalties are not paid by a certain date, place a lien on the property.

It would be revenue producing and job creating at its best.

James Meacham, Coarsegold