Utica's Ambulance Propsal becomes a Statewide Debate
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: June 11, 2012
It's been an 8-year battle and finally action is taking place. Representatives from Kunkel Ambulance met in Albany today with members of the state to discuss the ambulance proposal.
At stake - can the private service and the city-run operation peacefully coexist?
The proposal would allow the city of Utica to run its own ambulance services. But Kunkel Ambulance, a private service, thinks this could cause more harm then help to the city.
"There's a huge disparity in the city of Utica. Their price is almost double for the same service, so that is something that needs to be dealt with," says Catherine Kunkel, the company's Vice President.
Critics are calling the proposal a "financial fiasco." But advocates are saying, if enacted, the proposal will actually save Central New York taxpayers more of their hard- earned money.
"Allowing us to transport where we bring in 1.8 million a year significantly impacts property taxes in the city of Utica, reducing taxes by about 5%," says Russ Brooks, Utica's Fire Chief.
Lawmakers and representatives from Kunkel met in Albany to discuss the proposal and Vice President of Kunkel says she is pleased with the meeting.
"I feel very optimistic with respect to this particular administration. To Mayor Palmieri's credit, I believe he has the best interest of this city at heart. I'm hoping we can move into the conciliatory phase."
Both parties hope that there will be discussion of conciliatory talks in the coming weeks.
"Overall there should be some agreement between the city and the ambulance services to share services within the city. I think there's a way that the city and the private ambulance carrier can coexist peacefully," says Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi.
At stake - can the private service and the city-run operation peacefully coexist?
The proposal would allow the city of Utica to run its own ambulance services. But Kunkel Ambulance, a private service, thinks this could cause more harm then help to the city.
"There's a huge disparity in the city of Utica. Their price is almost double for the same service, so that is something that needs to be dealt with," says Catherine Kunkel, the company's Vice President.
Critics are calling the proposal a "financial fiasco." But advocates are saying, if enacted, the proposal will actually save Central New York taxpayers more of their hard- earned money.
"Allowing us to transport where we bring in 1.8 million a year significantly impacts property taxes in the city of Utica, reducing taxes by about 5%," says Russ Brooks, Utica's Fire Chief.
Lawmakers and representatives from Kunkel met in Albany to discuss the proposal and Vice President of Kunkel says she is pleased with the meeting.
"I feel very optimistic with respect to this particular administration. To Mayor Palmieri's credit, I believe he has the best interest of this city at heart. I'm hoping we can move into the conciliatory phase."
Both parties hope that there will be discussion of conciliatory talks in the coming weeks.
"Overall there should be some agreement between the city and the ambulance services to share services within the city. I think there's a way that the city and the private ambulance carrier can coexist peacefully," says Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi.
