Fire Services Measure Qualifies for Ballot

Firefighters have gathered enough signatures to qualify a ballot measure asking voters if fire protection services should be transferred from the city to the county.

City Clerk Francis Moore said she will present a report to the City Council advising members that the petition has more than the 4,700 valid voters signatures required for the issue to appear on a ballot.

The council must decide whether to call a special election, wait until the June 1998 primary or the next municipal election in 1998. City firefighters would become county employees if the measure is successful.

The Alhambra Firefighters Assn. began gathering signatures for the measure in December, asserting that the county can provide better and more economical service than the existing city Fire Department. Alhambra firefighters said they gathered more than 6,000 signatures. The council and City Manager Julio Fuentes have maintained that it will mean less service at a higher cost. Fuentes said firefighters can make more money working for the county and have a better chance of promotion.