Arlington Hts.: Dump sprinkler mandate
The Arlington Heights Building Code Review Board has approved a controversial plan to require fire sprinklers in all new AH homes.
This is a mandate for waste. The BCRB has ignored our village fire safety record and the extraordinary cost to our residents. It is troubling but it helps explain why our local, state and federal government are drowning in debt.
Others have concluded that fire sprinklers are unnecessary too. Habitat for Humanity has said they make housing less affordable and endanger families. Over 10 states have banned the automatic adoption of fire sprinklers.
When we lack money for health care, education and retirement, we should look at the money we waste on unnecessary regulation. Even President Obama agrees. “We are spending money on things that we don’t need, and we are paying more than we need to pay, and that’s completely unacceptable.” That describes fire sprinklers.
As we consider our plight and Illinois nears bankruptcy, we realize Pogo was right, “We have met the enemy. and he is us.”
We must demand cost effective government. Every expensive idea must be backed by facts and an appropriate cost/benefit study. This is not just about fire sprinklers, this about the hundreds of decisions made each year on our behalf.
Our intelligent homeowners should decide if they need fire sprinklers. They certainly should not be dictated by people who do not have fire sprinklers in their own homes.
Bob Ruffatto
Arlington Heights