Where's the problem?

Dear Editor,

It's a shame that a new business coming to Nevada who could just as easily located in Fort Scott, Butler, or El Dorado Springs gets so much grief just because it has decided to choose Nevada because of the services that they have to offer.

If it had chosen one of the other cities it would have still serviced Vernon County. However, the 12 employees that they are going to hire, the fuel that they will buy, and the taxes that they would have paid would not be coming to Nevada or Vernon County.

Why is the ambulance district upset? I don't know... the same air ambulance services from Joplin and the surrounding area are still servicing Nevada. No change. Well, except if you're the one lying on the table or in the back of an ambulance waiting for Life Flight, or some helicopter service to get to you.

The only difference is that they might be starting from Nevada and NOT Joplin or Kansas City. I guess to appreciate the difference you need to be the one on the table. Any time a private business wants to locate in our town or city we should be grateful. Unless, the ambulance is planning on buying a helicopter, I don't understand how this is going to take away business from you.

If I were Freeman Hospital Life Flight or some other hospital serving the area then I most certainly could understand how this would affect your bottom line. Or if you where actually competing for the same service. Remember it's the ambulance district, hospital or emergency service that will be requesting the helicopter.

Monte J. Curtis

City of Nevada

Airport Board Chairman