Joe Albero & SFD Go At It Again

"Joe,
In response to your responses:
- Your assumption is that if firefighters agree with our leadership, we are "kissing their a$$". False. Most of us just agree with most of their decisions and appreciate the direction and progress the department is taking. Also, we have no trouble telling them when we feel otherwise, and know that the right thing to do is either carry follow those decisions regardless or walk away from the organization, not take shots in this forum.

So are you telling me ALL of you agree with the $10,000,000.00 Fire Palace expense? The $860,000.00 Fire Boat? Gifting Salisbury & Wicomico County equipment for FREE to other Counties and I'm talking about a LOT of equipment too, not just chump change and old stuff? Clearly on Monday night the SFD and its representatives verbally attacked and threatened a City Taxpayer who disagreed with the Administration. So is this what we're to expect down the road any time anyone challenges you? Is it all the Blogs fault, like you claim. Remember, I wasn't even there that night and had absolutely nothing to do with it. The Mayor and Council act like the Citizens need to be watched and must have a City Police Officer there because of their fear, yet it's the Administrative people who have PROVEN to attack the Citizens and NOT the other way around.

- There IS a restriction on accessing this blog from the department computers, a practice that has as much to do with keeping personnel productive as it does with preventing them for participating in your chat sessions. There is no restriction on what we do on our own time and our own computers. Further, any members who post departmental attacks on this forum would have more to worry about from the majority of fellow firefighters who remain loyal to the organization than from its administration. It continues to amaze most of us how none of these charges or complaints will be made in the light of day, such as at volunteer corporation meetings, or where someone with knowledge of the situation is present, where they can be addressed.

Is there such a rule on visiting the Daily Times and their comments? Is there such a rule on the Watch Desk? Come on now, who are you trying to fool here? The TRUTH is, See & Gordy want to try their best from any of you seeing the TRUTH.

- I stand by the term "disgruntled members", though you and I will never agree on their relative number, as they typically show their colors only in this forum, with no way to verify their identity or affiliation.

You, Sir, do NOT understand what disgruntled means. IF someone was disgruntled they would be terminated. Fed up, yes. Disgruntled, absolutely not. See & Gordy would fit more the definition of disgruntled than any employee at the SFD, seriously.

- Reputations - Gordy, See and Hoppes should be rightfully proud of what they have accomplished on behalf of the citizens of Salisbury and the SFD. This blog's practice of targeting the personal lives of those with whom it disagrees is inappropriate, to say the least, and debating such opinions would only fuel its foulest nature.

Inappropriate? These people are "public officials" and if they can't take the heat, stay at home with your wives and don't go to work any more. When you apply for a job, they check your credit scores and do a background check. Do you think most of these people would be hired today based on their ratings and background? I think now. Means a lot to me when someone wants to LEAD.

- "Our leaders are not idiots or crooks" - you and some of your readers levy repeated accusations and hints of impropriety, often repeating the same charges every few months, but never seem to provide substantive evidence. Repeating the same off-the-cuff, out-of-context quotes of your enemies is your weakest tool. If somebody did wrong, bring the evidence to the police. If you still got nothing, I guess you can always just keep talking.

Are you trying to get me to say something I'm simply too smart to do, because I won't. Believe me, I have gone to the Police with the equipment issue and we are demanding an investigation. I'm one voice for many.

- The fireboat. You admitted to receiving an answer to your question about how many homes along the river have access problems, apparently just not as specific as you needed. Speaking only for myself, as a member of the SFD, the fireboat issue is a lot bigger deal for you in cyberspace than those of us staffing the land-based apparatus. Our leaders want to get a grant to buy something they think would benefit the city, and many of you disagree. Have at it. If and when they come to us for support, they will provide a rationale and explanation for the vessel. In the meantime, try to keep in mind most of us dislike watching you beat on our fellow firefighters, whether they are wearing a white shirt or a blue one.

The rich keep getting everything they want, that's all there is to it. The numbers don't call for a $860,000.00 Fire Boat. We have ALL seen what you guys have done to the old one and many question if you didn't let it sink TWICE in one week simply to preach that you need a new one. Others have questions if you blow engines to get new equipment as well. I disagree with the blown engine theory but sinking the boat, yeah, I think that was done on purpose, I'll be bold enough to admit that.

- The facts that I was referring to had to do with the pile of other mis-statements made on this blog, such as those regarding the new tower: most of us can't drive it; it won't fit down 40% of the streets; Salisbury doesn't need such an apparatus; it's too heavy; it's too big; it cost too much; we didn't need new tools to go with it; we're wasting fuel when we are doing driver training; we're running red lights; and so many more. If you truly want to debate someone about these opinions, come to Station 16 and ask away. Someone there will provide your answers, or find someone else who can.

Let's get something perfectly clear. Yes, there are some comments that are wrong about what you have stated above. However, I have not! You need to stop comparing comments to my Posts, that's unfair. I just want to make that point clear as you seem to be becoming quite the blogger. Red lights, oh yes you did and there are photos and witnesses to prove that. These things happen. I have a very large Motor Coach and I understand what it's like to stop that puppy on quick notice.

Joe, you are very clear that this blog represents your opinion, and those of posters, and I respect that, and know that reasonable persons disagree. Let's just try to remain reasonable in our discourse, and realize that the more outrageous comments and charges posted might draw more readers, but serves no purpose in truly resolving differences..

While I appreciate that thought, use your real name and I'll show you more respect than you'll ever know. Until them, you're nobody. You're a guy/gal sitting behind a computer spitting out thoughts with absolutely no credibility whatsoever. Sorry, it's true.