SAR mil levy is essential

Editor,

I am writing in hopes to gain the support of Lake County citizens for the upcoming Search and Rescue "SAR" mil levy to be voted on in November.

I am currently a sergeant with the Lake County Sheriff's Office and hold the title of Head Search and Rescue Coordinator. Former Sheriff Barron appointed me to this position in August 2005. I really did not know what to expect, being new to SAR. But I can assure you it turned out to be far more than I ever expected.

I showed up for my first official SAR meeting that August at the Pablo Fire Hall. I walked into the upstairs part of the building and there sat five dedicated people. Pretty soon one of the members chirped up and said, "Well, here we are. You must be our new leader." I must have been as white as a ghost. In my mind I was thinking there was no way Lake County Search and Rescue had only five members and "Oh, my gosh, what did I get myself into?" Well, I can assure you today that being involved in SAR has turned out to be one of the most rewarding assignments I have ever been involved with during my law enforcement career.

I have seen a family grow. These are your family members, friends and neighbors who are working for you for free. When times are hard and your loved ones need help, Search and Rescue members devote their time and their money to go out in Montana's worst weather conditions to help you, the citizens of Lake County. I have seen my members work all night and day in their jobs to support their families and then get a call of someone in need of help. They don't think twice about calling me saying, "I'm available."

I often catch myself wondering how they do it. I used to wonder why. But being involved in SAR now, I no longer ask myself that. I guess you would have to be a member to truly understand the feeling of this family. I hope you join. A family of 50+ as of today's date is something I am proud of. It's come a long way in a year.

That brings me to the point of why we need a mil levy to survive. There are several reasons: The population has increased; the numbers of calls for help have increased; lack of funding for training; and the biggest reason is that our equipment is 20 years out of date.

I know you're wondering how this is possible. Lake County Search and Rescue has never had a budget to support it with equipment and training. The Sheriff budgets roughly $10,000 a year for Search and Rescue. Those funds cover Workman's Comp and fuel costs to be split two ways with Lake County and the Swan/Mission Search and Rescue.

So, I 'm asking for your support in the November vote for the Search and Rescue mil levy. You never know when it might be your loved one in need of help, and you would want every resource Lake County has looking for your loved one.

Sgt. Wade Nash

Polson