It is not my intention to stir the pot between the paid firefighters and the volunteer firefighters. Most of the time, I listen to the voices in my head, not this time. This is one of those times that things need to be heard. I'll say this once again, It is not my intention to stir the pot between the paid firefighters and the volunteer firefighters. It is my intention to let anyone willing to take the time to listen and hear, who said what, during the recent budget deliberations and then draw your own conclusions.
See and Gordy enter with their very best "approach the council" face on until Gary Comegys skirted around the question of assurance , Chief See quickly reminds him how the code is written, letting him know in no uncertain terms that he'll get what he wants, one way or the other. In the event that Chief Sees chest thumping didn't work, Deputy Chief Bill Gordy suggests how they should spin it . He suggested they make the volunteers an offer they couldn't refuse. Is his name Gordy or Corleone? How in the world can they or anyone else expect their staff to have one iota of respect for either of them when they use tactics such as this to get what THEY want Are these new multi million dollar toys for the firefighters or Big Chief See & Gordo Corleone? Are these requests being made on behalf of the emergency personnel, that serves the citizens of this city? It sounds, to me, these requests are being made for 2 over grown bullies that will do whatever it takes to get what they want, and one council vice president, that has yet to grow up, and the hell with everyone else. They got that $10 million dollar toy box, now they want multi million dollar toys to put in it.
According to Bubba SFD got bigger raises than SPD...LAST YEAR. Because they got bigger raises they shouldn't get additional personnel? Is it their fault that the rubber stamp of the council majority has approved every application for annexation, expanding the limits of the city? Hey Bubba, more streets, more houses, more businesses, more people means ...drum roll please...MORE PUBLIC SAFETY. If, as Bubba says, growth pays for growth, we wouldn't have a problem finding money for additional personnel. Considering public safety in impact fees would be a good start. OH, what am I thinking, this is Salisbury, we don't have impact fees.
You won't believe Shanies solution to the personnel issue. This woman must have been asleep when they told the council the volunteers money CAME FROM THE COUNTY. Do we have to tell you everything, Shanie? Stay awake, pay attention. At least act like you have an interest in the city instead of the chocolates. I don't know what we'll do when Shanie is replaced next year. If nothing else, Shanie has entertainment value.
While the council majority is all gaa gaa over the new trucks (new debt) not one of them is willing to entertain the concept of making cuts to fund public safety personnel for either department. Now that the council majority has decided to sink the taxpayers even deeper in debt with these 4 new fire trucks and a new car for Gordo Corleone (next he'll want a driver) has anyone bothered to ask, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO STAFF THEM? You don't have enough staff as it is to meet minimum safety requirements of 2 in/2 out. If you do have the staff to meet the requirements, I'd like to hear an explanation for the fire at Dogwood & Frederick.
Gary Comegys willingness to do whatever is necessary to fund an additional 4 new fire trucks and a banquet simply baffles me. He'll do whatever it takes to get the volunteers behind him in his upcoming campaign even if it means driving a wedge between the career and volunteers firefighters.
After listening to Gordo Corleone suggest using mob tactics a question came to mind. WHY is Gary Comegys voting on any issue related to fire personnel pensions? Gary, as a former SVFD member, benefits from that pension fund. Is this a conflict of interest? I think it is. Should he recuse himself from voting on any issues related to the SVFD? I absolutely think he should. What is your opinion?
Rest in Peace, Jimmy Brinson.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
21 comments:
Joe said:
"Considering public safety in impact fees would be a good start. OH, what am I thinking, this is Salisbury, we don't have impact fees."
What in the world are you babbling about, Salisbury has substantial impact fees for new construction.
"JOE" didn't say anything. This Post was written by EarlsSister.
10 a.m. Anonymous is wrong.
The only impact fee Salisbury has is the capacity fee for water/sewer.
The only impact fee the county has is for education.
A fact is a terrible thing to waste.
And Joe is not Earl's Sister.
THEY NEED A LADDER TRUCK! I am not saying they needed a 10million dollar building, but they need a ladder truck.
The piece of crap the old chief "Pinky" bought was a joke, and the whole administration was a joke. He "Pinky" ruined that department and was a embarishment to fire service.
Playing catch up is what they are doing now. I still think a smaller sub station would work KEEPING old 16 too.
They may have impact fees but they, the council majority does not apply these impact fees to subsidize public safety, they use it to buy more toys.
I'd like to know how much was lost in impact fees vs what was actually paid in. Anyone know the answer to that question?
Bubba can save his energy. The Volunteers have no respect for him or the others. They are just trying to get by and have two nickles to rub together after the other two spend everything. Neither the Career or the Volunteer have any say in what goes on. If they voice their disapproval, they are threatened on punished. The day will come when the guys who know whats best will be able to speak again. Money will be spent wisely and happiness will return. One vote separates this madness and common sense.
Comegys should not only recuse himself from voting on this, he should recuse himself from the Council completely. He lied and cheated his way into re-election (just how many SU students actually LIVE at Holloway Hall?), and has continued to lie since (I didn't park across the handicap ramp; well, I was only there 10 minutes. I'm not text-messaging on my cell phone during a meeting). Need I say more?
Everyone knows they need a ladder truck. The money for that ladder truck was bonded prior to this budget. They are going to get a new ladder truck. I agree with having SAFE equipment, it is a necessity. Replacing equipment because one of those chiefs wants all the same name brand sitting in the garage is absolutely ridiculous. Threatening the volunteers with their pension fund if they don't pay for the toys See and Gordy want is CRIMINAL. As long as Gary Comegys sits on the council your pensions are safe, HE will not allow them to mess with HIS money.
Does Gary Comegys collect a volunteer firefighter pension paid for by the city, or is he be eligible for it?
I've wondered about this. Because he's voted to increase that pension, hasn't he?
If so, does any one know if that is a conflict of interest? It sounds like one, but government rules are so screwy, who know?
If it is a conflict of interest, some one should report him to what ever part of government handles that. I don't even know what that may be!
The ladder truck has already been purchased...from last year's budget. The trucks this year are 4 more! Yest that ladder truck needed to be replaced.
Come on folks Gary has to text message Dingle Berrie during meetings so he knows what to say. As far as the new Fire Station is concerned it would have made better sense to build a sub station (much smaller)a little farther away from traffic blocks and maintained the original fire house. The current leadership was looking for a show piece and now they want to filler up (look out taxpayers). It is no secret that the volunteer and paid crews don't always see eye to eye but some if not all of that bitterness could be done away with , with the correct leadership. As long as you have a top dog with an ego problem that will never happen. Salisbury could learn a lot by looking how the volunteer companies in Wicomico County work to fund their wants and needs.
Gary Comegys will be drawing a pension from SHA and SVFD, yes that fat rat is eligible. Yes, he did vote on increasing the pension fund and he'll do it again.
Gordy and See should be reported for their lack of ethics as well. Demanding funds because he can and threatening their pensions. What kind of people are these?
Salisbury is detrimental to my mental health. It's time to call my real estate agent.
If you talk to the guys and gals doing the work Im sure they will tell you they would rather work with the equipment they have in exchange for better staffing and at a minimum cola raises. The things the mayor doesnt want to provide. The vollies are around but it seems that certian people are chasing them away.
Anonymous said...
If you talk to the guys and gals doing the work Im sure they will tell you they would rather work with the equipment they have in exchange for better staffing and at a minimum cola raises. The things the mayor doesnt want to provide. The vollies are around but it seems that certian people are chasing them away.
11:02 PM
Who are the certain people chasing the Vollies away?? This can be corrected!!
Just to let everyone know the 4 new pieces of apparatus are for stations 1 and 2. Station 1 has the two oldest engines in the city. They are getting a engine and a truck station 2 is getting the same. And the vollies are paying for a large portion of this expentiture. Just my two cents for the record.
Joe- Any word about the County Special Ops. or is Salisbury still trying to prevent it from happening? Didn't you go to a meeting a few months back?
Yes, the vollies are paying for a large portion of the lease purchase payments on the trucks. The city will pay the rest. The question, after hearing the fire chiefs statements, is this what the volunteers want done with their money or are they being forced to do what the so called leadership wants?
Two of the trucks that are being replaced aren't even paid for yet. I've also heard a rumor that the new ladder truck not only has all the bells and whistles (driving the cost up more than needed), but that it will be a new color and that they are changing the color of the fleet...what the heck? Time will tell. The shame of it is that the rank and file of the volunteer and paid force don't express the greedy tendencies that they end up labeled with because of the extravagant purchases made by leadership...including a $10 million station with how many TVs and closed circuit cameras? How's that bunk area working out. Any live-ins yet?
How's that cracked floor working for ya? Is the kitchen all it appears to be? Are the pool tables level? They won't be when that place starts sinking.
Anon 12:21:
Please tell of all these great bells and whistles...
Who is chasing the vollies away? How many vollies can make a timely response back to the location of the new firehouse. How many vollies are on the "Special Operations Team" in Salisbury? How many will be allowed on or intimidated away when the leadership doesnt like vollies? Where is the motivation for us when we want to do more?
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