To The Editor:As a lifelong retired business owner in Warren County and volunteer firefighter, fire chief and member of the board of directors for 50-plus years for the Wright City Fire Department, I recommend you vote “No” on the 82 percent fire tax increase proposition.I support our first responders, but an 82 percent fire tax increase is too much and too limiting. Our schools, ambulance district, police, 911 dispatch, roads and community all depend on tax dollars to operate. A balance of tax dollars across all programs is crucial to the ongoing success of Warren County.Through disciplined and accountable management within the Wright City and Warrenton fire districts, efficiencies can be recognized, as well as enhanced safety and community engagement.Fire district management can respectfully leverage volunteers across the fire districts, as has historically been done in both districts and across the state and country, and currently still being done in neighboring communities like Washington, delivering both efficiencies and enhanced community engagement.Volunteers have the passion to serve, giving back to their community while improving safety for all. Through prudent and effective leadership within the fire districts and working with the ambulance district, safety will increase and ineffective duplicated responses, which lead to chaos and double taxation, will be eliminated, thus reducing risk to our citizens, community and first responders.The 82 percent Wright City fire safety tax proposal was initiated by its fire district board, of which 60 percent of its members have less than six months’ experience. Warren County citizens pay the salaries and expenses for both the Wright City and Warrenton fire chiefs, yet neither live within their district.William GroeperTreasurer, Local Taxpayers for Responsible SpendingWright City