As a member of the Cal Fire crews who helped extinguish the wildfires this last season in California, I am disgusted by the actions of one of your locally owned hotels in Lake County. First and foremost, I want to emphasize that the staff of this particular hotel could not have been kinder, the service excellent and with obvious appreciation for the efforts of the firefighters. It later became known that it was the decision of management that chose to carry out this fraud.

The action of which I am speaking is the fact that Cal Fire was charged a tax for the rooms occupied, where no tax has ever applied. The State of California allows a specified amount for lodging with the addition of tax, if applicable. The rate is quite generous and therefore accepted by almost every place we stay. What transpired was this particular hotel was not willing to accept the rate as presented and added an additional 9.25 percent to the rate and called it taxes. This begs the questions as to whom was this tax collected for, and how was this rate determined, since there is never, nor has there been in the past, any tax collected at this establishment. It was later discovered, with some simple phone calls, that discount rates are given on a regular basis, for various reasons, that would be well below the state-allowed amount. Does that make this an intentional act of fraud against the state, against the taxpayer or against Cal Fire with it's limited budget?

In my personal questioning of this situation, it was stated that the owners of this establishment were not aware that this was or had occurred. I do believe they are sincere in the fact that they had no knowledge of this action. It was, in fact, the unfortunate decision of the management. As Cal Fire Emergency Response I take this personally, as a state taxpayer I take this as pure fraud. I will be taking steps with my department to request a refund of the money that was misrepresented as a tax, an amount in excess of $1,200 for our stay. I encourage citizens to stand up for their rights and do try to right the wrongs we have experienced in past silence.

It is each small occurrence, each little "mistake," and every thought of stretching the truth that has a huge snowball effect on our state and local county budgets. The Cal Fire crews work unselfishly, day and night to protect your homes and communities. To have a clean room and shower with some much-deserved rest means more than most would realize. Such dishonest actions are, in my book, unforgivable and those responsible must be held accountable.

D. Hudson
Southern California Cal Fire Emergency Response Team
Sacramento