Editorial: Roanoke's budget pinches all
The Roanoke Times editorial staff was quick to point the finger at the Roanoke Fire Fighters Association for showing support against a proposed budget cut that would take an engine out of service as well as decrease the workforce. They say we need to take our lumps and not speak out against the budget cuts. I say the Roanoke Times gets rid of all but one of the Roanoke Times Editorial writers and have one person do all the work...then not complain about it. Then again, no ones life depends on if the editorial column is written or not.
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Roanoke firefighters raise a legitimate point in opposition to the city's proposed budget: They need four firefighters to run the versatile fire truck called a quint. Council last year promised that level of staffing, but the proposed budget would strip the trucks to three firefighters.
That, they claim, is not enough personnel to fight fires on arrival (as two are required to enter burning structures while two stay outside). Firefighters, the public and the department's coveted accreditation would all stand at risk.
On this point, council should go back to Fire-EMS Department Chief David Hoback and direct him to make budget revisions that protect the front line of public safety. But firefighters must realize they'll have to give up something else and back away from the intimidation tactics they displayed during the budget hearing. (About 90 of them crowded into council chambers, rising to stand in solidarity behind their speakers.)
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17 comments:
Rhett
How do we get in contact with this person/ Editor.
You can contact them here: letters@roanoke.com
It took 3 hours for police to come to my neighbors house that was broken into Monday. The neighbor across the street on Laurel Ridge called me frantically this evening wanting our CRO's phone number. I said he would not be at his desk if on duty so keep calling 9-1-1. The dispatcher advised the residents NOT to enter their home so there they sat for over 3 hours. The dispatcher said all officers where on other calls. Does this not validate the police officer's dilemma too? I repeat 30 police officers down, not enough police cruisers, and frozen salaries. Does this not tell us why there is such a high turnover rate on Roanoke City's police force?
Above Posted on my blog ... we citizens deserve public safety to be the highest priority for our tax dollar. Gees, I hope with these budget cuts it won't take station 13 three hours to get to my house a few blocks away.
This just shows that the newspaper is run by the CITY. Today is the start of getting rid of Harris and BIG RED!
If the schools and the city want to lower the DROP OUT rates of students in city schools, start by lowering the amount of government housing in the city!!!!
There is no Roanoke Times in my drive way every morning. That comment just made sure it will stay that way. But to the editor, I will still risk my life to save yours, don't worry. I just think you should report facts, not opinion.
It wouldn't have anything to do with darlene clearing the way through the zoning red tape to get the new Roanoke times building put up would it?
down, down, down. Big Red's goin' down!
It seems that every time they need to cut the budget we lose an engine. Budget cut-lost engine 1, budget cut-lost engine 12, budget cut-lost engine 7, budget cut-lost engine 3, proposed budget cut-will lose engine 13. Then another budget cut-will lose engine 5. Pretty soon we will lose all fire apparatus and just have medic trucks with fire extinguishers! Maybe cut the budget and go all volunteer! That will save money for a new stadium and amphitheatre.
That editor probably doesn't live in the city. On another note, did anyone see Vince's suggestions on cutting the fuel usage down? If you haven't, check your e-mail. I found an interesting item in it. One of his suggestions was that due to fuel costs being on the rise, how about the guys go to the grocery store the night before they work to get groceries instead of doing it on duty. That may sound like a grand idea, but correct me if I'm wrong, that would require the guys that are getting only a 2% raise this year to use their own gas to get food. So cut an engine, take the 4th man off Ladder 7, cut a secretaries position, & now ask your guys to go the store on their own gas. Great idea!!
hey don't screw with it, they may make us not go at all. Don't poke a hornet's nest with a stick unless you can run fast.
What do those election results mean for the firefighters?
I thought Wishneff made a lot of good points. I spoke with my neighbors about him. They were all going to vote for Court Rosen, so I did too.
I guess I gave Wishneff the same kind of support he gave station #1! I wonder what happened with the other 100 voters?
The city has to make provisions for you to get food. That is Federal Law. It is about working 24 hr shifts. Just ask Chief Slayton.
Just where does vince figure into our chain of command . He's a civilian, fellas. He needs to learn how to budget.
Oh, he can go get our food.
The chiefs need to drive their private vehicles to their cheif cars at a station if they need to go to a fire after hours.
Suspend training and prefire planning until July to save fuel.
I bet rescue challenge used alot of fuel.
How about bringing in some type of volunteer service to Roanoke City? Wouldn't that help with staffing and the budget?
How about admin bringing their food in every day instead of going out to lunch and wasting gas...hmmmmm...hell no we can't have that...Daddy Grigsby wouldn't have any of his son's to eat with and might be lonely or not be able to give his orders to Co-Chief Hoback.
hey don't screw with it, they may make us not go at all. Don't poke a hornet's nest with a stick unless you can run fast.
That is the kind of thought process that keeps a union, orginization from moving forward. It is all on US as an organinizaton to take a stand at some point. Go sit in the corner and never say a word, that will get you nothing! J.O.
Hey screw the Hornet's nest, lets kick it maybe some of them will fly up some of the city higher ups and wake them up!!!! Back in the day they let people go home to eat, we can start doing that, 1 hour for lunch and 1 for dinner !!! I think horse feed is cheaper than fuel, so hook up the horses. Hell the stables are already set up at OLD #1, you know the other station they closed. From what we heard at the meeting sounds like the city made more money this year than they made last year, like 8,000,000 more whats up! Where are those new meat wagons, better hurry up if ya going to put more in service. How can you have the same fire service, when you keep taking out trucks. Make sure everyone tells their loved ones if anything happens to you "GOD HELP US" to do a full investigation, and get all the money you can, because thats what it is going to take for them to understand !!!!!! Make fire Admin. drive their own cars to work, then get in the city vehicles that would also save $$$.
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