LA CROSSE STUDY PANEL ON AMBULANCE SERVICE

November 14, 2008 by Bruce

La Crosse Council Okays Study Commission To Look Into Emergency Transport

A study commission will be set up in La Crosse to look at the issue of local ambulance service..The City Council approved the idea last night..at the request of Council President Bill Harnden. The issue's controversial...Mayor Johnsrud is pushing to have the city set up its own ambulance service...Critics argue that's not needed because current countywide provider Tri-State is doing a good job. We asked the Mayor about talk he might be trying to strong arm an effort to put the issue before voters via a binding April referendum? The referendum is aimed at blocking a city run service.Johnsrud says he's NOT in any way trying to hinder the petition drive..But the Mayor says the ballot question would be confusing for some voters..Many backers of the ballot question think that argument is basically a smoke screen...They're confident there will be enough signatures to force a referendum..and that voters will overwhelmingly defeat a proposed city ambulance plan.