Friday, November 5, 2010

Time for some clarification!

I think the biggest problem we have had over the last few weeks is lack of "correct" information that has been doled out by the media and the public, mostly because of this gag order that has been placed on us.  Apparently it only applies to US, but we will try to attack some of these issues without stepping on Chief Johnson's toes.  It does make it increasingly difficult to tackle these issues with one hand tied behind my back but since my fellow blogger has gotten a lot of her information from her neighbor (who happened to be a commissioner who was under the same gag order), I'll pretend for a moment that I received my info from my neighbor. Were gonna look at some of the comments left by Mrs. (don't confuse me with the facts, I've made up my mind!) individually so you all can also chime in and tell us what you think.  Maybe Mrs. Willis will grace us with her presence and comment on some of these accusations.....(Holding my breath)!

1) "The really sad part is that I completely understand the fear-based, paranoid tactics the union used to get into the middle of US.  ...letting the union lead them around like bulls with their nose rings."  Let me first start by reminding all of our readers (especially the conveniently misinformed Ms. Willis) that it was the old commissioners (Ranney, Ruben and Anderson) and our administration 9 years ago, that had us standing at the polls to get them in office "leading us around like bulls with their nose rings" as you so eloquently put it. I didn't hear you banging your drum then! Now please don't misunderstand me.  The commissioners that we just ousted brought a lot to our fire department.  They got us out of the financial ditch that we were in and in the broad spectrum they made this department a better place.......but!   Their came a time a few years ago that our commissioners and admin. decided that taking care of themselves was more important than taking care of the firemen and the district.  They were approached individually before we brought the union in and asked  them to please help the firemen have a voice in the decisions that effect our lives every day.  At first we thought we might be able to get a few of their support but eventually the Evil Emperor planted his seed in them again and he began quietly spreading rumors "If anyone comes against me (meaning him and his entourage) I'll have them fired!  If they take me to court I'll settle out of court and errors and omissions will pay them but they will never have their job back!".  What could we possibly do after that?  We tucked our heads and said "Yessa mass-ta!" Finally a few brave soles made the drive down to Sarasota and spoke with the guys from Local 2546.  they explained our plight to the union and the drama that unfolded after that I don't have enough time now to get into. We will hold that story for another blog.  Fast forward a few years and we (the firefighters, NOT the union) found some gentlemen in our fire district that understood our situation and were willing to try and help us bring our department back to the way it was before.  Before the corruption in admin. when the citizens and the firemen were what our department was all about.  I challenge you to find anyone in our district (Except Mrs. Willis) that doesn't absolutely love our firefighters.  We are the most caring, hardworking, professional, courteous and giving firemen in the county.  I love everyone of them, they are my family.  Because they are my family, I will do everything in my power to protect my family now, and in the future. 

2 comments:

  1. good point about Mrs. Willis not complaining about us standing at the polls when we were supporting the candidate that she wanted.

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  2. Funny UPCC didn't have an issue with us standing at their polls years back when we were trying to get Barry in his seat.

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