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Sunday, December 07, 2014

Ireton Shoving Firefighters Down City Council Members Throats For No Good Reason

Mayor to forward budget amendment to increase Fire Department staffing levels;

Says remaining SAFER grant officers hired part-time.


Mayor James Ireton, Jr., will forward, tomorrow, December 3rd , 2014, a budget amendment to the Salisbury City Council to fund four (4) additional full-time Firefighter/EMT positions at a cost of $160,610.

Two of the new positions will staff Engine 16 at SFD Headquarters, one will staff Truck 1 at Station 1, and one will staff Truck 2 at Station 2.

“Presently the Salisbury Fire Department is fully staffed on each fire truck at 5 firefighters on board. This budget amendment for 4 firefighters is dedicated to keeping 4 firefighters on each fire apparatus when sickness or vacation time has them understaffed,” said Mayor Ireton.

“It has been articulated that the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) requires 4 firefighters per apparatus at a fire station. We have accomplished that during lean times by placing an Assistant Chief on the team during a fire emergency. This amendment will allow the Assistant/Deputy Chief to coordinate on-scene fire rescue and containment".

“The budget amendment is for $160,610 which pays these officers through the end of FY2015. The Chief of the Fire Department will then be tasked with including them in his FY2016 budget that he presents to me.”

Additionally the Mayor can report that he has signed employee action forms hiring 10 of the 11 remaining SAFER grant officers to part-time employment status in the City of Salisbury.

Publishers Notes: Here's what you DON'T know and Ireton is HIDING. 

You know those 12 Firefighters that were hired under that grant, did you know ALL of them filled EMPTY slots, (or should I say full-time positions) a long time ago. Did you also know that the NEW Firefighters they are belly aching about are a NEW ROUND of very recently hired Firefighters that had NOTHING to do with the original 12 Firefighters hired under that grant! 

So Hoppes and Ireton absolutely knew that NONE of these NEW Firefighters would even be considered as full time or even part time employees, yet they have not let the public know this information.

Here's ANOTHER fact. Did you know that the Fire Department generally RETURNS around $250,000.00 EVERY SINGLE YEAR??? That's a FACT Ladies & Gentlemen. If the SFD deserves a pat on the back it is based on the fact that they are the most fiscally responsible department in the entire City and they constantly return $250,000.00 every year. 

OK, so now that you now know this FACT, WHY is Ireton shoving this new expense down the Taxpayer AND Council's throats! All Ireton and Hoppes need to do is NOT return that $250,000.00 this year back into the general fund and use it to pay for these new Firefighters. 

It's all about the DRAMA! It's ALL about screwing the taxpayers out of another $200,000.00 and raising taxes. Ireton wants to make it look, (on the books) as if there's a problem, there is not. The PROOF is in the fact that the taxpayers are not aware that the SFD returns $250,000.00 each and every year. None of this ever had to happen. Ireton's flip flopping just to make a scene is childish and irresponsible. 

Mayor Jim Ireton is nothing but a Drama Queen. There is NO NEED for a budget amendment.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Mayor Jim Ireton is nothing but a Drama Queen."

The last word says it all!

Anonymous said...

City Council are you paying attention to what is being said here - I sure hope so. How about being fiscally responsible for just once. I realize most of you don't know what that means, but look it up and try it for once.

JoeAlbero said...

It is because Hoppes discourages VOLUNTEERS that they do not meet OSHA requirements. IF the SFD ran like ALL other Fire Departments the taxpayers wouldn't be subjected to 12 new Firefighters every year.

That being said, this is exactly why the City LOVES to be a part of organizations that DEMAND how many Firefighters you must have, how many fire trucks, how many miles can be on their vehicles and so forth and so on. It's a massive financial burden placed on taxpayers and it does NOT have to be that way. However, LIBERALS don't care because it's not their money. MOST Firefighters don't even live in the City, so the financial JOKE is on YOU.

Anonymous said...

Ireton knows exactly what he's doing. The money can be moved without anyone knowing in the last quarter. He is creating the usual slush fund. Spending benchmarked against the budget should be much more transparent in Salisbury. A budget amendment should only be requested and approved when there are no other funds that could be programmed for that expense and the amendment should state that the only permitted use for the money is the use presented in the amendment...otherwise it or any unspent balance is returned to the general fund. Terry Cohen tried to get that done forever.

Anonymous said...

Jimbeau and Fake Day have reduced SBY to a banana republic.

Anonymous said...

Have to agree with 933AM. It's like Salisbury will never be the same after these two nutcases!

Anonymous said...

I love my Delmar FD and it don't tax us to death

Anonymous said...

really sad thing is the city just received bids for the new fire station on brown street, low bid was around 3.6 million....

Anonymous said...

If the SFD deserves a pat on the back it is based on the fact that they are the most fiscally responsible department in the entire City and they constantly return $250,000.00 every year.

I don't know where you get this information. Calling Hoppes fiscally responsible is a flat out lie. He tries to spend every bit of the budget he can. He was behind the purchase of the fire boat, the hazmat trailer, the hazmat truck, 3 brand new Ford Explorer SUV chief's vehicles, the new Station #2 and you are calling him fiscally responsible? I think you have lost your mind on this one.

Anonymous said...

You can also leave "Drama" off of "Queen".

Anonymous said...

All or safer people have not been hired maybe new paramedics got in before the first set of people did. I know two guys that are from the begin and have not got full time spots. I can say that chief hides behind papers . He sent all 12 people a letter of loss of job in mail instead on meeting with then in person great job chief . The SFD dose waste alot of money in during the day with 20 cars riding around but oh well . The fire chief dose not like the vollys and they all know it and the fire chief is trying to push them away. Hey just look at there new letter he just put out on salisburyfd.com he called them cave men well maybe they should call his a fat lazy piece of Sh×the cause he sure is. Must be nice to take your family to a dinner place have a drink with dinner while drive city vehicle. Oh and u have heard he has wanted a new command vehicle and volys said nope not buying so now fatty is disrespecting them in many ways . LOWER his pay check cause its not deserved .

Anonymous said...

This is SO reminiscent of Ireton's drama over the appointing of Hoppes as fire chief two years ago, when he over and over again swirled the bowl when Hoppes wasn't, by law, yet qualified to take the position.

Anonymous said...

Qualifications don't matter, take Stevenson for a case in point.

Ben In Salisbury said...

I don't feel that people should be surprised for the following reason: There has been endless talk and spending based on grants but I can only recall Tim Spies, Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen bringing up the fact that "grants are temporary". It is equal to borrowing against your income taxes and not knowing if your getting a refund. I love grants but it is not a viable way to finance the needs of anything much less a city.

Anonymous said...

Amen to so many of these comments. SFD is NOT fiscally responsible for returning a quarter million every year. The chief and Ireton are IRRESPONSIBLE because they have consistently overbudgeted (i.e., LIED to council!) this department for YEARS to make it look like a "return."

The era of a fiscally responsible council with a backbone is gone.

As for the glowing audit Ireton is bragging about, he can thank Debbie Campbell first, and then Terry Cohen, for demanding that nightmare get fixed years ago.

Anonymous said...

Looks like somebody skipped a few lessons of hooked on phonics, spelling, and the overall English language. If I were you I would take a long look in the mirror before critizing anyone else.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
All or safer people have not been hired maybe new paramedics got in before the first set of people did. I know two guys that are from the begin and have not got full time spots. I can say that chief hides behind papers . He sent all 12 people a letter of loss of job in mail instead on meeting with then in person great job chief . The SFD dose waste alot of money in during the day with 20 cars riding around but oh well . The fire chief dose not like the vollys and they all know it and the fire chief is trying to push them away. Hey just look at there new letter he just put out on salisburyfd.com he called them cave men well maybe they should call his a fat lazy piece of Sh×the cause he sure is. Must be nice to take your family to a dinner place have a drink with dinner while drive city vehicle. Oh and u have heard he has wanted a new command vehicle and volys said nope not buying so now fatty is disrespecting them in many ways . LOWER his pay check cause its not deserved .

December 3, 2014 at 4:13 PM

You wanted him when there was a better choice so SUCK IT UP CUP CAKE!!!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
This is SO reminiscent of Ireton's drama over the appointing of Hoppes as fire chief two years ago, when he over and over again swirled the bowl when Hoppes wasn't, by law, yet qualified to take the position.

December 3, 2014 at 5:42 PM

Yes it is and he wasn't qualified because he didn't have a college degree and he still doesn't. Getting a degree from a fake college such as a diploma mill is embarrassing and should be grounds for divorce.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Qualifications don't matter, take Stevenson for a case in point.

December 3, 2014 at 5:51 PM

LMAO this is so true. I saw that dirt bag the other day walking around in a trench coat like he is an important person. NO Dumbo you are only Jimbo's arm candy.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Amen to so many of these comments. SFD is NOT fiscally responsible for returning a quarter million every year. The chief and Ireton are IRRESPONSIBLE because they have consistently overbudgeted (i.e., LIED to council!) this department for YEARS to make it look like a "return."

The era of a fiscally responsible council with a backbone is gone.

As for the glowing audit Ireton is bragging about, he can thank Debbie Campbell first, and then Terry Cohen, for demanding that nightmare get fixed years ago.

December 3, 2014 at 9:44 PM

That is exactly what happened. Hoppes has always over budgeted and that is why he is returning large amounts of money. That money was there and Hoppes was itching to spend it so he wouldn't have to turn it in. There is only so much toilet bowl cleaner, toilet paper and bathroom supplies you can buy without having storage issues. Any larger amounts of $$ spent need to be approved by the city administration. Hoppes isn't playing the fiscally responsible conservative. He is a damn liar and a thief for trying to rape the tax payers by knowingly over budgeting because he can. Joe you know better than that and you should recant your comments giving that thief credit.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Looks like somebody skipped a few lessons of hooked on phonics, spelling, and the overall English language. If I were you I would take a long look in the mirror before critizing anyone else.

December 4, 2014 at 12:02 AM

Who? Please explain?

Anonymous said...

This is a very important post and should be moved to the top. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

FACEBOOK

Daniel Hill

I have to say that I'm utterly floored at the press release regarding the Mayor's budget amendment. Will I concede to say I have been left with egg on my face because of my post in regards to having lost faith in our local government to do what is right for the safety of the citizens of Salisbury, no I will not. Because not for one minute do I believe the Mayor had a change of heart. I feel his change of position came from the proverbial arm bar that some key people placed upon him with FACTUAL data to prove our importance. I can't thank our administration, the guys from the 4246, and all others who played a part in fighting for us until the bitter end. It was your dedication and refusal to accept the situation that finally made the council see what needed to be done. And collectively you all made the Mayor make some kind of move to reinstate our positions and extend our ability to serve and protect. With ten of us left these four new positions leave me with a 40% chance of nabbing a spot. Whether I make the cut or not I wanted to thank all of those who busted their butts to get us to this point, and increasing my odds of returning to the best job, correction career, I've ever had.
.

David Bowling - Can I concede and say it??!??

Daniel Hill - You absolutely can big guy. But I wont. Had the mayor and the council just woke up and made the change I would of cracked an egg on my face to show it. But I don't feel the egg should be there because it was because of those on this side that refused to accept it that any change happened. They were the ones who fougt to be heard, and today their hard work can be celebrated with a small victory. I still have little faith in the Mayor in regards to committing himself to public safety, a lot more faith in the council, and I cant possibly have anymore faith in the SFD as an organization.

Lisa Newnam - Shaw Fingers crossed!!!!

Joyce Powell - Hope everything works out for you!!

Anthony Tagliaferro - I've seen a lot of shit on your face but eggs never been one of them.

Chuck Foskey - I sure hope they hire you full time.

David Bowling - Best red head furman ever!

James Lloyd Jester - Jimmer deserves a TON of thanks for this as well

Daniel Hill - Absolutely Capt!!! He's definitely on that list. I just didn't tag individuals because a lot of this is my opinion and I didn't want anyone who's not on my friends list to see the post and assume this represents the consensus of the department.

LIKED - Joseph Patrick Andrews, Jill Jennings, Anthony Tagliaferro, Christopher Truitt, Aaron Colegrove, Cory Polidore, Heather Creager White,, Joyce Powell, Eric Borneman, Stacey Carpenter, Hunter Nelson, Tracey Wright, Lisa Newnam Shaw, Megan Czyz, Jennifer McMillan Borneman, Damon Maisel, Sandra Dean-Hibble, Jordan Braniff

Anonymous said...

Here's your fact check. All 12 have not been hired. There are still three left, as only nine of the original twelve were hired through attrition. The last one to be hired was done a few months ago but that person came off an eligibility list that was close to a year old. The last two permanent spots filled were two paramedics that were allocated when the mayor unfroze the two iced spots from years past. The remaining ten SAFER persons were offered part time employment, I don't know if all accepted. What else you fail to acknowledge is the impact these people had. Response times went down, cardiac arrest saves went up, property damage from fires went down due to confining the fire faster than before they were hired. Here's another good fact check for you. The volunteers at station 1 & 2 failed to get out the door in less than seven minutes over 20% of the time combined, that number jumped to over 40% when was four minutes or greater. So that means the engine at 16 was covering calls the volunteers are supposed to cover between 20-40% of the time. And adding more volunteers won't work considering both of those stations have 25+ members a piece. And even with an increase in volunteer fail rate these twelve positions STILL allowed for a decrease in response time. If the same 5-6 volunteers weren't the only ones who consistently responded, and some of the others who took the oath would show more initiative then maybe the additional personnel wouldn't be needed. But until then...