Ambulance district update

I spoke with another member of Friends of Cape Girardeau County Ambulance District, Barbara Mueller, today.

She'd called to point out that I'd used the incorrect address a 6 to 8 p.m. meeting on Thursday.

It's at the New McKendree United Methodist Church at 1770 South Hope St. (Highway 25 South).

Mueller said response to Monday's story was so great, she's concerned there may not be enough room for everyone. The space will hold 150.

Mueller said tthe petition drive is not a slam on privately run Cape County Ambulance Service, which receives an annual county subsidy of $225,000.

"We could not do without the current system. We just want people to know there choices out there," she said.

She said whether Friends of Cape Girardeau County Ambulance District get the issue on a ballot, the county works with Saint Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital to develop a broader reach or a third alternative is found, "it doesn't matter what road we end up taking as long as the end result is the same — improved service for the whole county."

All county commission candidates have been invited to Thursday's meeting, Mueller said. Petitions will be handed out at the meeting.

The county commission is looking into whether the county must pay for an election, if the measure reaches the ballot, or if the petitioners should.

What do you think?