By PAUL STONE
The Palestine Herald
May 10, 2009 01:56 am
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The fourth time proved to be the charm for ambulance service in Leon County.
After being rejected three previous times at the polls, Leon County will be regaining ambulance service after its voters on Saturday overwhelmingly approved an ESD (Emergency Service District) by more than a 2-to-1 margin.
Eight hundred and sixty-two voters (71.2 percent) supported the creation of the ESD, while 348 voters (28.8 percent) opposed it.
The ESD will be funded through a tax on property owners.
Leon County lost its free ambulance service in early April and remained without any coverage until Bryan/College Station-based Legacy EMS stepped in to fill the void one week later.
Legacy EMS officials, however, had said the arrangement was temporary, indicating their company would leave the day after the election if it failed.
With the creation of the ESD, private companies, with Legacy likely among those, are now expected to bid on becoming Leon County’s ambulance provider.
On Saturday, Leon County voters also approved Proposition 1 (legal sale of beer and wine) and Proposition 2 (sale of mixed beverages by restaurants by beverage certificate holders).
Proposition 1 passed by a 181-to-160 margin, while Proposition 2 was OKed by a 186-to-151 margin.
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Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com
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