Over 3,000 signatures from residents on the south side of Pamlico River were handed over to Beaufort County commissioners Monday night.

Representing petitioners, Anthony Sodano delivered a binder holding 3,153 signed documents asking county commissioners to individually commit to resolving the issue of EMS service in the Chocowinity Township service district in a way that maintains the same level of paramedic service, with the same or less response times and cost to taxpayers.

“We’re not asking the commissioners for anything, we’re just asking commissioners not to take anything away,” Sodano said, who then thanked Chocowinity EMS Capt. Shane Grier and members of Chocowinity EMS for “their outstanding service to the community.”

Dozens of people turned out for Board of Commissioners meeting to let elected officials know how they stand on the Chocowinity EMS issue. Included were owners of two non-medical transport companies operating in the county: Steve Williams, owner of Tarheel Medical Transport; and Tim Bazemore, owner of Coastal Medical Transport.

The county elected to terminate its contract with Chocowinity EMS last year after a series of escalating events. In August, the paramedic-level squad began making medical transports between Washington’s Vidant-Beaufort Hospital and Vidant Medical Center in Greenville. Shortly after, the county responded by notifying Vidant-Beaufort that Chocowinity EMS was not authorized to make such transports. Chocowinity EMS filed suit against the county and in early November, District Court Judge Michael Paul found in favor of Chocowinity EMS, giving them the go-ahead to continue intrafacility transports. A month later, commissioners voted 5-2 to terminate Chocowinity EMS’ contract, giving the squad six months notice.

During the public comment period, Williams said south side residents had been misled — that Chocowinity EMS was not abiding by the rules and regulations governing EMS services determined by a new ordinance commissioners passed last year. His concern, he said, was that taxpayer funds are being used to compete with small businesses like Tarheel Medical Transport and urged commissioners to put a stop to it. Bazemore told commissioners that private non-medical transport companies face many challenges outside of competition, not the least of which is securing payment from the underinsured and uninsured.

Chocowinity EMS’ board chairman Jay McRoy has previously refuted claims that the squad is using taxpayer funds to compete with those in the non-medical private transports business — that Chocowinity EMS is only providing medical transports where a paramedic is required on runs from one hospital to another.