Fire protection in unincorporated Santa Fe County is provided largely by volunteer firefighters. They donate their time and skill and risk their lives to protect our neighbors, our homes and our businesses.

Our first responders are there when we need them. All too often they have to make do with decades-old equipment which, no matter how well maintained, may fail at a crucial moment.

The proposed quarter percent Fire Protection Excise Tax in unincorporated Santa Fe County would provide a stream of revenue to support bonds to provide the large capital sums required for fire engines and other capital improvements. A dedicated revenue stream is important to reducing the costs of borrowing.

The Party of No has ambushed this proposal with a last-minute campaign against the tax, saying the funds should come from elsewhere. But the Party of No does not take the responsibility to suggest what should be cut from a budget stressed by declining revenues and facing increased demands due to the economic times, including for public safety.

The discussion should be about how to provide the equipment required for public safety, and should not be a partisan issue. The responsible way to engage in the discussion would have been to engage in the decision-making process and suggest specific alternatives to the governing body. Maybe the ideas would be accepted, maybe not. But constructive discussions illuminate and solve problems.

Unveiling a campaign and suddenly spending thousands of dollars on mailings 10 days before an election is ambush politics hoping to catch volunteer firefighters unable to respond in the short amount of time left.

Our firefighters deserve a solution, and not simply a no from the Party of No. Vote Tuesday. Vote the way we think best serves our community and not to achieve a partisan victory.

Richard D. Ellenberg is the chairman of the Democratic Party of Santa Fe County.