Letter to the EDITOR

Honorable Members of the City Council 101 E. Main St. Forney, TX 75126

A Call to Action for the Safety and Well-being of Our Community Dear Honorable Mayor and Members of the Forney City Council, & Mr. Charles Daniels, City Manager, I write to you today as a citizen of the United States of America, a proud resident of the great State of Texas, and a constituent of Kaufman County residing outside the city limits of Forney. However, above all else, I write to you as a concerned human being who deeply cares about the safety and well-being of our community.

We, the people, depend on you to make the right decisions when governing matters that directly impact our safety, health, and future. When you have facts, you are responsible for acting in the best interest of the people you serve.

I share my story with you not as an abstract example but as a living testament to the importance of responsible decision-making. I have personally faced the reality of life and death due to medical malpractice. If not for the timely arrival of emergency services—after my husband made over 30 desperate calls on my behalf, I wouldn’t be alive today to pen this letter.

My condition was so severe that my husband had to take family leave for approximately eight weeks to care for me as I fought for my recovery during a seven-month illness. This experience was not merely a hardship but a stark reminder of how critical our emergency response systems, healthcare policies, and community leadership decisions are to our survival.

I have no reservations about waving my HIPAA rights should anyone on this council wish to review my hospital records to verify the truth of my words. I welcome any opportunity to demonstrate why I am still here today. It is by the grace of God and the swift action of those who responded in time that I am alive, and I must ensure that others receive the same chance.

46% of those who call 911 for medical needs do not go by ambulance, which leads us to believe that it’s because of delayed response or being talked into not going to the hospital of their choice by ambulance. Fire or lax cancels 28% of those before an ambulance arrives. The national average is 13.4%.

What we’d like from Forney is:

•We’d like local control and influence over our EMS providers based here. We want to be able to walk down the street and ask for information.

•Genuine commitment to the community and the ability to participate broadly and meaningfully. Supporting other businesses, public workers in all areas, and schools.

•We want our EMS provider to hire people who live and work in Forney.

•We want to understand why an EMS provider wants to serve our community. Is it because it fits into a massive plan (such as Careflite’s aid (should say Air) partially funded by the larger hospitals and all tax money supporting Grand Prairie) that extends far beyond Forney?

•Or is it because they want a safe and healthy community for their family, employees, and colleagues?

I leave you with this final charge: govern with the heart of a servant, lead with the wisdom of a protector, and decide with the conscience of one who holds the lives of others in their hands.

I appreciate your time and consideration, and I hope my words will serve as a reminder of your profound responsibility. I would be honored to discuss this matter further at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely, Million Heir-Williams 1307 Buttermere St. Forney, TX 75126 Kingdomwoman77@yahoo. com 910.265.4692