Battle Lines Drawn in ESD 2 Election

TYLER — The upcoming Smith County election in Emergency Service District 2 has become contentious. According to KETK, some of the conservative candidates and their supporters, including Grassroots America – We the People, say they want better bookkeeping. But another group, Smith County Citizens for Public Safety (SCC4PS), likes the way things are being run. A key issue has to do with Smith County volunteer fire departments making runs into Cherokee County. JoAnn Fleming of Grassroots America says she’s fine with making runs there but wants Smith County taxpayers to be reimbursed appropriately. But Keith Tate of SCC4PS says the issue’s already been covered, with Cherokee County paying ESD 2 for that service.Emergency service districts in Smith County were set up to raise funds for volunteer fire departments.