Residents split over whether annexation would improve fire and EMS response
Supporters say moving parcels to Goodwill (and ties to Cook) would shorten road and lake response times to some lake properties; opponents note existing mutual‑aid arrangements and ask the county to document first‑response designations before changing township boundaries.
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A central strand of testimony at the hearing focused on public safety. Supporters argued that inclusion in Goodwill (and proximity to Cook) would shorten response times for northern lake properties: one petitioner said Greenwood's hall is "approximately 20 miles by road... the Cook Fire Department Hall is only 12 miles by road" to the Oak Narrows area. Supporters also cited access to the Cook hospital district and a Cook fireboat as service advantages for some water‑access properties.
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