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| Name: | Gerard DeVivo |
| E-mail address: | gdevivo@tampabay.rr.com |
| Comments: | MORE TAX DOLLARS WASTED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. $76,000 for a MISUNDERSTANDING.
Clearwater mistakenly paid overtime to fire chiefs By Mike Brassfield, Times Staff Writer In Print: Saturday, January 30, 2010 ________________________________________ CLEARWATER — Over the past two years, a dozen assistant and division fire chiefs billed the city of Clearwater for nearly $75,000 in overtime they were not entitled to, according to a city audit released Friday. Officials say this was not an intentional scam, but instead happened because the Fire Department misunderstood the city's salary policies. Assistant and division chiefs with the Clearwater Fire Department are salaried employees. But unlike most salaried workers, they are also paid for what the department calls "comp time" for some of the extra hours. City policy says they are to be paid for comp time only if they're filling in for another assistant chief. However, the Fire Department mistakenly allowed them to claim time for performing other tasks, such as responding to incidents, investigating fire scenes, teaching hazardous materials classes and servicing firefighters' air packs. For instance, division Chief Richard Riley, who earns $80,670 a year, billed the city for $21,760 of comp time in 2008 and $19,175 in 2009, according to city records. Assistant Chief Danny Jones, who earns $69,000 a year, billed the city for nearly $23,000 of comp time in 2008 and $19,650 in 2009. In 2008, a dozen Fire Department managers earned $94,000 in comp time, which they got paid in a lump sum at the end of the year. But nearly $39,000 of that shouldn't have been paid, the audit found. In 2009, those same managers racked up another $82,000 in comp time, but they were not eligible for about $35,000 of it. However, they haven't been paid yet for the $47,000 in comp time they earned legitimately in 2009 under Clearwater's rules. Those end-of-the-year payments were delayed due to this audit. For that reason, these assistant chiefs won't have to pay back much money. In most cases, the city still owes them more money than they owe the city. "We have adjusted what they were due in 2009," city auditor Robin Gomez said. Out of the 12 managers, one assistant chief owes Clearwater $3,314 and another owes $1,944. The audit started after the city got an anonymous complaint. The local fire union, which has been at odds with city management over pay and other issues, is not taking a position on this matter. But union president Gerard Devivo said: "That's ridiculous. Just as a citizen of Clearwater, it blows my mind that they're getting that much comp time." City Manager Bill Horne defended the practice of paying assistant chiefs for extra time. He says the city saves money by having them do things like service air packs or train firefighters. "It costs us three times as much to outsource these things when the chiefs can do it cheaper," Horne said. Mike Brassfield can be reached at brassfield@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4160. [Last modified: Jan 29, 2010 09:11 PM] |
| Name: | Gerard DeVivo |
| E-mail address: | gdevivo@tampabay.rr.com |
| Comments: | Email sent by L1158 President DeVivo to Assistant HR Director DelPrete and CC'd to HR Director Roseto, Fire Chief Geer and City Manager Horne.
Mr. DelPrete, I must say that I am disappointed in your findings. I feel that several of the Citywide and Fire & Rescue Standards were violated in both instances. First, the fact that I reported a Hostile Work Environment to Chief Riley and he did not follow the policy for reporting such actions. In light of cooperation between labor and management I reported it to him, with hopes that he would follow the policy. He did not. According to the Hostile Work Environment Policy he should have reported it to Chief Geer, Chief Geer to the Assistant City Manager and so on. This did not occur. He should have conducted a THOROUGH investigation. This did not occur. I know this to be fact after speaking with Chief Geer. He informed me the first he heard of this incident was after I reported it to you. So just to be clear, if a hostile work environment is presented to a supervisor in any department within the city, we shouldn't expect them to follow the policy? CLEARY it wasn't followed in this situation. Secondly, are you condoning the possession of a baseball bat (weapon) while on duty? Using it to intimidate employees while using extremely vulgar and inappropriate language? Again, several Citywide and Fire & Rescue Standards were violated and are stated below: - "We will resolve problems and take responsibility for our actions". Obviously this isn't being followed. Both supervisors have had similar incidents and complaints made against them in the past and NOTHING was done. - "We will raise the standard of excellence for what we do and continuously learn and make improvements". How so when there has been a lack of accountability for such actions? - "We will treat EVERYONE with dignity, respect, and courtesy". Hardly the case in these situations. Intimidation while holding a baseball bat and using inappropriate language is not treating everyone with dignity, respect, and courtesy. Regardless of how compassionate you may be about your job. - "We will remember we are all part of a team- we shall succeed or fail together". We want nothing more to succeed together, but we have a hard time getting our members behind us and supporting a cooperative labor/management relationship when serious actions like these take place without accountability. - "We will let our supervisors know immediately of situations or incidents that may affect our employment or may IMPACT THE CITY'S IMAGE". I informed a supervisor of these actions, Chief Riley did not. - "We will cooperate and participate in City processes". The Hostile Work Environment Process was not followed. - "We will follow ALL City policies and procedures". Once again, the Hostile Work Environment, City Workplace Violence and City Weapons in the Workplace policies were not followed. - "Additionally, the following Citywide Standards represent Integrity issues of such a serious nature that immediate termination may be recommended. Violation of the City Workplace Violence Policy and City Weapons in the Workplace". If holding a baseball bat and using vulgar/inappropriate language while addressing subordinates does not apply here, please let me know. - "Working together and showing respect for fellow personnel". - "TREATING OTHERS as you would like to be treated". What would happen if the tables were turned? - "Being friendly and courteous". - "Developing and utilizing strong interpersonal skills". - "Employees will continually exhibit the following traits: being honest, trustworthy, fair, ethical, courteous, positive and open minded". - "Professional conduct will be shown by all employees as they: Are sensitive and compassionate to the citizens' and coworkers' needs". - "Increase employee morale by: Providing positive recognition of a job well done". - "Employees will represent the Department and they City by: BEING PROFESSIONAL AT ALL LEVELS AT ALL TIMES". These Standards are not new. They have been in effect throughout my entire career with the city. There appears to be a double standard when it comes to holding people accountable within our Fire Department. Thank you for your time regarding these issues, but I must know move them forward. Respectfully, Gerard DeVivo, President IAFF L1158 ________________________________________ From: Del Prete, Allen Sent: Wed 2/3/2010 10:14 AM To: DeVivo, Gerard Cc: Roseto, Joseph; Geer, Jamie Subject: RE: Issue at Training Mr. DeVivo – I have looked into this matter and have determined that the department addressed the issue satisfactorily, as indicated in the e-mail from Division Chief Riley that you forwarded to me. Please advise if you have any additional concerns. Thank you. From: DeVivo, Gerard Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 12:04 PM To: Del Prete, Allen Subject: FW: Issue at Training ________________________________________ From: Riley, Richard Sent: Thu 11/12/2009 1:35 PM To: DeVivo, Gerard; Klinefelter, John Subject: Issue at Training President DeVivo and Vice President Klinefelter, After receiving your call the other day concerning your issues with Assistant Chief O’Neill at the Training Center, I wanted to keep you up to date as to what has been done. I interviewed Chief O’Neill about the incident described to me by President DeVivo. He provided his account of the actions, and with no other supporting accounts other than Mr. DeVivo’s and those coming second hand from an employee that does not want to be identified. I can only go on the limited information. I have counseled Chief O’Neill on actions which may have been misconstrued as aggressive by employees of the Fire & Rescue. He understand that other persons may not share his demands for skilled compliance of training evolutions and that they should be given remedial training and not confronted with what was perceived as aggressive behavior. I can assure you that Mr. O’Neill’s intentions were in the best interest of the firefighters, the department and future challenges that could be met by them in a high rise incident. But he must take care not to offend or make them feel like they are in a hostile environment. There also is no reason for any employee not to come forward with a complaint such as this one. We treat these issues seriously and although I cannot recall your exact words on why the offended employee did not report this to us directly. They should feel no reason not to bring these type incidents to our attention. I am always available to discuss this issue further, feel free to call me at anytime. Richard D. Riley Division Chief of Operations Clearwater Fire & Rescue 610 Franklin Street Clearwater, Florida 33756 Cell- 727-224-7365 richard.riley@myclearwater.com |
| Name: | sean |
| E-mail address: | seanh514@comcast.net |
| Comments: | http://firefightthesmears.com/2009/11/14/pride/
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| Name: | Jim Scharnhorst |
| E-mail address: | Jims0428@aol.com |
| Comments: | Brothers,
Stay safe and keep the faith.I'll keep a good thought for you. Fraternally. Jim Scharnhorst Lt Oak Forest FD OakForest Illinois |
| Name: | Bradley Dunham |
| E-mail address: | b-dunham@nycap.rr.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.tfdlocal86.org |
| Comments: | Good luck with negotiations I know how politicians can be |
| Name: | Craig Cramer |
| Comments: | Congratulations to Lt. DeJesus and Local 1158 on yet another win against the city. When will the likes of Jamie Geer and his henchmen, along with Joe Roseto, Billy Horne and the commission get the hint that it's time to move on? These clowns obviously do not know their jobs or the law. They have lost every major case brought against them, yet they are allowed to continue to wage their personal vendettas aginst the fire fighters at the cost of the citizens tax dollars with no repercussions.
There would be more money to support the libraries and recreation centers if none of the cases against the fire fighters had been initiated by the Evil Axis of Geer, Roseto & Horne. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been wasted because of their ineptness. Obviously, they are not doing the jobs they are paid to do becuase of the litigation and other BS that they work on against their employees. Happy days will return when they are ousted. Hang in there, My Brothers & Sisters. This too shall pass. |
| Name: | Craig Cramer |
| Comments: | Let's see if the St. Pete Times has the guts to print this letter to the editor in response to the letter about the Belleair Bluffs/Largo mereger:
August 9, 2009 The Union is not the Great Satan that Paul Kuykendall of Belleair Bluffs would have us think. He could not be more wrong in his thinking, or lack thereof. The Union did not cause any trouble whatsoever. And if standing up for one’s rights are wrong, then let’s just do away with democracy altogether. A Union is a group of likeminded people who band together for protection, benefits, causes etc. Did you ever donate to a religion? Or maybe a political party? Look at Unions beginning with the United States. A group of people decided that oppression from a ruler on another continent should cease. They even wrote a paper which started out “We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union…” A joining of two people in love is called a Union. Union Station is where many forms of transit come together. There are Credit Unions. Etc. Etc. Etc. I’m sure that Mr. Kuykendall enjoyed getting raises, health care, vacations, etc. while employed. That’s what Unions do, is to work for their members. Florida is a Right-to-Work state. You can be in unions, but their word is not final. The raises and benefits that Union members have are because they bargained with city leadership for them. Union members have taken 0% wage increases. They’ve also had their benefits cut as well. Now let us look at the merger with the City of Largo. Merging the two departments means that you take the new employees in at their rate of pay and years of seniority. Why should they start all over again? That makes no sense whatsoever. Do you even know what a merger is, Mr. Kuykendall? I’ll try to make it easy for you. Let’s say you want to get onto I-275 at 54th Avenue North, in St. Petersburg. Do you wait until all of the vehicles that have been on the interstate since the Skyway Bridge have passed or do you merge into traffic and drive with your fellow motorists as if you had also been on the interstate all along? I, for one, enjoy living in a democracy as well as being a Union member. I do not want to work as a serf, which is a member of a servile feudal class bound to the land and subject to the will of its owner. If that’s what you want, there are plenty of countries out there that fit the bill. Go live in one. And while you’re at it, maybe you should become a bit more informed and keep your IQ (in this case, Ignorant Quotient) to a minimum and study up on things before putting pen to paper. Craig Cramer, Proud Union Member |
| Name: | Shawn Gillis |
| E-mail address: | Dobieg5750@aol.com |
| Comments: | Just passing best wishes from Illinois down to you guys.
Keep up the good fight! Shawn Gillis Midlothian Professional FF's, L#3148 Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois Database Manager |
| Name: | Doug Hall |
| E-mail address: | hall@lintonfirerescue.com |
| Comments: | Keep up the good fight. Doug Hall Linton fire rescue local 3087 |
| Name: | William |
| E-mail address: | firefighterg@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Letter to the Editor from the 4/19/09 St. Pete Times. More wsated tax $$$$$ by the city of Clearwater
Theater is one more money pit An old venue returns for Cleveland Street in downtown Clearwater. Recently known as the Royalty Theatre, it is returning to its original name, the Capitol Theatre. Clearwater recently bought it with your Penny for Pinellas money that was voted on for the Countryside Aquatic Center. They then turned it over to Ruth Eckerd Hall to operate as a performing arts center. Over $100,000 was spent in steam-cleaning seats, pressure-washing restrooms and new lighting for the inaugural performance. A city inspector found some mold underneath the backstage area, which forced the performance to be moved outside. At $50 per ticket, the 450 ticket holders enjoyed the show under the stars. There is another $4 million to $10 million to be spent (wasted) on this venue in an all-out attempt to bring people downtown. The albatross of this city administration has been revealed. This venue will join the downtown marina as a money pit financed by us, the taxpayers. Clearwater has a history of money pits. The Harborview Center that was billed as a cash cow cost us $350,000 annually in addition to the millions wasted on remodeling. Who can forget the infamous fountain in the Clearwater Beach roundabout that set us back money to tear it down? The Clearwater city administration knows who will take the hit to finance these projects: their own annexed ATM, Countryside. John Wiser, Clearwater |
| Name: | William |
| E-mail address: | firefighterg@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Letter to the Editor of the St. Pete Times. MORE WASTED TAX$$$$$
Theater is one more money pit An old venue returns for Cleveland Street in downtown Clearwater. Recently known as the Royalty Theatre, it is returning to its original name, the Capitol Theatre. Clearwater recently bought it with your Penny for Pinellas money that was voted on for the Countryside Aquatic Center. They then turned it over to Ruth Eckerd Hall to operate as a performing arts center. Over $100,000 was spent in steam-cleaning seats, pressure-washing restrooms and new lighting for the inaugural performance. A city inspector found some mold underneath the backstage area, which forced the performance to be moved outside. At $50 per ticket, the 450 ticket holders enjoyed the show under the stars. There is another $4 million to $10 million to be spent (wasted) on this venue in an all-out attempt to bring people downtown. The albatross of this city administration has been revealed. This venue will join the downtown marina as a money pit financed by us, the taxpayers. Clearwater has a history of money pits. The Harborview Center that was billed as a cash cow cost us $350,000 annually in addition to the millions wasted on remodeling. Who can forget the infamous fountain in the Clearwater Beach roundabout that set us back money to tear it down? The Clearwater city administration knows who will take the hit to finance these projects: their own annexed ATM, Countryside. John Wiser, Clearwater |
| Name: | Gerard DeVivo |
| E-mail address: | firefighterg@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | EMERGENCY 9*1*1
HELP US PROTECT YOUR FAMILY! CLEARWATER FIREFIGHTERS & PARAMEDICS NEED YOU NOW !!! Pinellas County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Administration are recommending that the number of Paramedic rescue units in the City of Clearwater be reduced from 6 to 4. The county is recommending further reductions that will amount to an overall loss of over $950 Thousand in EMS funding for the City of Clearwater. YOU PAY $6.6 MILLION IN TAXES TOWARDS EMS AND THE COUNTY ONLY GIVES $5.5 MILLION BACK TO YOUR CITY. WHERE IS THE REST OF YOUR EMS TAX MONEY GOING? The current proposal will eliminate the Firefighter/Paramedic Rescue Units from Station 46 and Station 50. Station 46 services all of Clearwater Beach including Island Estates and is back up for Sand Key and Downtown Clearwater. Station 50 services all of Countryside and often backs up north, east, and central Clearwater. These reductions will increase the time for help to arrive as well as decrease the number of personnel available to respond. Pinellas County is also implementing a new, cheaper dispatch process that will cause a longer time until units are on their way. Clearwater Fire & Rescue has an average 4 minutes 36 seconds response time. Pinellas County is ok with a 7 minutes 30 seconds response time. This, coupled with fewer units available, is a serious situation for the citizens of Clearwater. These Rescue Units are also capable of transporting a patient to the hospital when the ambulance company doesn’t have enough ambulances to respond. · Chances of survivability during a cardiac arrest or stroke decrease significantly with each passing minute without advanced medical care as brain cells begin to die within 4-6 minutes. · Federal mandates require a minimum of 5 firefighters to perform the "Two-in, two-out" program. This means that entry into a hazardous environment shall not be made until 5 or more personnel are on the scene. · It was pointed out by the Clearwater Fire Task Force Committee in 1999 and again in the MGT of America Study in 2004 (both of which were City funded and supported) that staffing of Clearwater Fire and Rescue was not adequate at that time and certainly won’t be if these cuts are approved. · Both the task force and MGT study recommended following the national standard for minimum staffing (NFPA 1710). Which states that a full alarm (15-17 firefighters for a two story single family home and a minimum of 26 firefighters for a high-rise) should be on scene within 8 minutes? If these units were eliminated, we would have to bring units from another station now leaving that neighborhood unprotected. · A fire grows exponentially and doubles in size every 30 seconds, so any delay in response can be deadly. Pinellas County is gambling with your safety by allowing longer response times. Over the last 9 months, other service delivery options were studied and some of these options showed potential for cost decreases with an increase in service. However, the County failed to act on these. Contact your Board of County Commissioners TODAY and let them know that ALL options should be completely explored before service delivery cuts are made on March 20, 2009. Board of County Commissioners (727) 464-3377 County Commissioner John Morroni jmorroni@pinellascounty.org County Commissioner Karen Seel kseel@pinellascounty.org County Commissioner Ken Welch ktwelch@pinellascounty.org County Commissioner Nancy Bostock nbostock@pinellascounty.org County Commissioner Neil Brickfield nbrickfield@pinellascounty.org County Commissioner Susan Latvala slatvala@pinellascounty.org County Commissioner Calvin Harris charris@pinellascounty.org |
| Name: | matt |
| E-mail address: | firefighterm08@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | save clearwater fire because i going to become a paid firefighter there in a few years. |
| Name: | William |
| E-mail address: | fighterfireg@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Below is an editorial from the Clearwater Gazette on2/26/09. Another example of our ELECTED leaders not being so honest while wasting our tax money. Thanks to the reporter for seeing through the deciept.
Promise Broken By Carl Wagenfohr CLEARWATER – Having failed twice to convince voters to approve plans to improve the city's downtown, the City of Clearwater limited its 2007 referendum to the question of building a bayfront marina at Coachman Park. The city also made certain promises to the voters about the facility's public access, appearance, and, most importantly, its finances. "The users of the facility will bear the costs," claimed a city-produced Downtown Boat Slips Fact Sheet. "A 20-year bond, paid back with revenues from slip rentals will pay the majority of the cost," that piece claimed, with contributions from the Downtown Development Board, Community Redevelopment Agency and a $1.2-million state/federal grant. Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard claimed in his March 8, 2007, Gazette editorial, "This project unlike many that add to our quality of life will not only be self-supportive it will help support other necessary activities in the city. We anticipate that over the first 40 years of the project $9.6 million will be added to the general fund. What is the general fund? The general fund is what supports our police, fire, library and parks and recreation. In short we have a project that enhances our downtown while supplementing important activities in existing departments. " Two years later, a worldwide economic crisis has hit the marine industry particularly hard. The marina's initial $15.50/foot per month slip rental rate, which the city's 2007 Fact Sheet called "a competitive market rate", has proven to be anything but. Robert Semmes, VP of Applied Technology and Management, the consultant that forecast the $15.50 rate, said earlier this week, "Right now, however, everything is off and especially recreational non-necessities like boats and RVs. " The weak demand, evidenced by only ten boaters willing to put down a $500 deposit for a slip, has caused the Clearwater City Council to rethink the marina's business plan and lower rates in the hope of filling the facility's 126 slips. But those lower rates, $9 per foot for residents and $10.50 for non-residents, have a big impact on the marina's profitability; the lower revenues would not be able to support debt repayment and operating costs, making the taxpayer liable for any shortfall. Councilmember Paul Gibson, who as a candidate in 2007 opposed the marina referendum, recognized that the city's taxpayer-supported General Fund could not cover the marina's projected loss, and proposed that the facility's debt should be reduced or eliminated by taking funds from Penny for Pinellas, the county-wide 1-percent infrastructure sales tax. Gibson's colleagues agreed. At their February 19th meeting, the City Council voted to take $8.25-million from the city's insurance reserves to buy-down the marina's debt in its entirety. The Council will discuss replacing those insurance reserves with Penny for Pinellas funds on March 12. But whether its insurance reserves, sourced largely from the city's General Fund, or Penny for Pinellas, funded largely from taxpayer retail purchases, the capital dollars that will be used to construct the downtown marina originated from, and belong to, the taxpayer. The city's written and oral promises that no taxpayer funds will be used to support the marina have been broken, and we will never know what the outcome of the 2007 referendum would have been had those promises not been made. The City of Clearwater is trying to make the best of a very bad situation. But it should be contrite to its taxpayers and apologize for its broken promise with the same vigor that it originally used in making that promise. |
| Name: | Craig Cramer |
| Comments: | One slight correction: the mayor didn't refuse per se to close my situation, he just won't answer my 2 letters to him. Instead, he had Joe Roseto email me and Joe won't act untill the US EEOC investigation is over. |
| Name: | Craig Cramer |
| Comments: | One slight correction: the mayor didn't refuse per se to close my situation, he just won't answer my 2 letters to him. Instead, he had Joe Roseto email me and Joe won't act untill the US EEOC investigation is over. |
| Name: | Craig Cramer |
| Comments: | Love the comments from my Brothers and Sisters! We thank you all for your continued support. Just a quick update on my situation. Geer has recommended a coaching & counseling based on allegations, yet this fine example of a chief (NOT!) won't bring it to closure even after 6 months! The mayor and Joe Roseto also refuse to bring it to an end. It's also OK to lie to city hall without worrying about getting into trouble. I requested public documents from several people, including Steve Strong. He lied and reported that he had none, yet 1 week earlier he and Geer reported to the FDLE that he had made 2 pages of handwritten notes. Joe Roseto also continues to report that no such notes exist. Birds of a feather flock together. |
| Name: | Charis Dinwiddie |
| E-mail address: | thecharis@htomail.com |
| Comments: | I have heard the health benefits, time off/paid time off, and retirement plans are nothing in comparision of other fire organizations.
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| Name: | William |
| Comments: | The following link is a follow up to the city's last lost lawsuit. They have decided to appeal that decision. More of our TAX DOLLARS WASTED! The citizens of Clearwater need to start holding these ELECTED OFFICIALS accountable and the ELECTED OFFICIALS need to start holding our city administrators accountable.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/article928011.ece |
| Name: | William |
| Comments: | The following link is another example on how incompitent the city council and administration in Clearwater really is. More tax money flushed down the toilet.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/article925433.ece |
| Name: | William |
| Comments: | The following link is just another example on how incompitent the City of Clearwater Council and Administration really is. More tax money wasted!
http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/article925433.ece |
| Name: | David |
| E-mail address: | david.lee.roth1978@gmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.metrolyrics.com/jamies-cryin-lyrics-van-halen.html |
| Comments: | "Oh, oh, oh, Jamie's Cryin'
Oh, oh, oh, Jamie's Cryin'" (c)Diamond Dave Music; Van Halen Music |
| Name: | Mike Carroll |
| Comments: | After almost one million dollars of taxpayer money paid out for lost PERC hearings, and certainly more to come, 26 grievances yet to be heard and the filing of four EEOC charges for documented age discrimination, it's no wonder Jamie Geer can't get hired as Fire Chief anywhere else. This is what, his fourth or fifth rejection. You go Jamie! Unfortunately, you guys may be stuck with him for a while unless your city counsel pulls their head out of their asses and cans him and Billie Horne. Keep your heads high and your tails covered. You'll get there soon. |
| Name: | Ryan London |
| E-mail address: | ryan.london@nielsen.com |
| Name: | Charleston FF |
| Comments: | Dont let this guy come here!!! |
| Name: | Joe Tellez |
| E-mail address: | jtellez@iaff.org |
| Comments: | Mark,
Got your email on our fire chief's job opening. Thanks for the heads-up. I will let you know immediately if your chief has applied. In fact, he shouldn't even waste his time applying here. We're behind you brother. Fraternally, Joe Tellez IAFF Local 51 El Paso, Texas |
| Name: | Joe Taxpayer |
| Comments: | Just food for thought. If that fire chief and city manager didn't waste nearly ONE MILLION DOLLARS being found guilty of breaking employment laws, gender discrimination by the EEOC, and having to rehire several employees that were unjustly terminated, the city would have had enough money to give the firefighters the raise that they budgeted for (and earned) 3 time over and keep the libraries open all week long. WAY TO GO JAMIE AND BILL!!! |
| Name: | Scott Mayville |
| E-mail address: | smmff22@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.fwbfirefighters2601.com |
| Comments: | I wish you nothing but the best brothers. Good luck!!!
City of Fort Walton Beach Fire Dept, Local 2601. |
| Name: | Wayne |
| E-mail address: | wayne.motley@ci.raleigh.nc.us |
| Comments: | Stay the course. What goes around, comes around. We're pulling for you! |
| Name: | Mark |
| Comments: | The removal of a fire rescue truck and the personnel from the beach should concern all who live and visit Clearwater Beach. The current fire administration just put the citizens and firefighters in an extremely dangerous situation. Response times will increase, which means fires will grow and people will will perish. |
| Name: | Smokedvrfl |
| E-mail address: | Smokedvrfl@aol.com |
| Comments: | Four (4) Inspector positions that were cut, Industrial Facilities that have not been inspected in 11 years (Aerosonic), Public Educations Program that were cut, Manpower that has been cut on Clearwater Beach and an ALS Rescue reassigned to a different station inland, Lost Department Accreditiation, Fire Hydrant Inspection Programs cancelled..... The list goes on and on..... When will the City Council realize that this is an organization spiraling into a "BLACK HOLE" due to mismanagement and poor leadership. Hang tight Brothers there is strentght in numbers. |
| Name: | Kevin Smith |
| E-mail address: | CROSSCHECKER@AOL.COM |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.fire&iron.com |
| Comments: | Brothers and Sisters:
Fire & Iron MC is a Firefighter Motorcycle Club that has many chapters in Florida and has at least one chapter in most of the States across the US. Your dilema and onging battle has been posted on our National Website. Speaking on behalf of the club and it's 1000's of members, WE SUPPORT CLEARWATER FIREFIGHTERS. Good luck with all your endeavours and Stay Safe. Fraternally, Kevin Smith, Local 2266 |
| Name: | canman |
| E-mail address: | saveclwfire@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Hey I just wanted to point out the language that the City of CLearwater website has on the IAFF negotiations. It sounds like a defensive tactic to the citizens. I especially like the one under compensation where they compare 2 employees one city and one FF and they say we will "enjoy" a 72% raise over 10 years.
Crazy! |
| Name: | Jennifer King |
| E-mail address: | fl_firechic@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Well Fay has come and gone. How did your city fair with the heavy rain? I'm sure the firefighters were ready to face any challenge thrown at them. What about the next storm? Maybe a direct hit? The city will expect 100% of your dedicated hardwork, won't they? And despite the threats, harrassment and cutbacks, they'll get it. We don't do this job for the money, for sure, we do it for the love of the job. Hopefully the citizens of Clearwater will realize what the true "cost" of all this mess will be and stand up with you. I know that the City of Tallahassee citizens were grateful and proud of the efforts put out by our people during the storm. Fight the good fight brothers & sisters and good luck!We're behind you all the way. Jennifer King, Engineer/paramedic, City of Tallahassee FD local#2339 |
| Name: | Craig Cramer |
| Comments: | Again My Brothers and Sisters,
Thanks so much for your support. Unfortunately, Jamie Geer continues with his antics. I was ordered to his office for a Formal Investigation on a baseless, trumped up complaint. What a waste! When he was done with his "investigation," he told me he would get a recommendation as soon as he could. Well, it's been over a month and still no closure. A person is as only as good as their word, but he was found to be less than credible during one of the many ULP's. Why did I think he'd be a man of his word in this case? All of this because I filed an age discrimination complaint with the United States EEOC. Thanks for nothing, chief! |
| Name: | Ray Steffens |
| E-mail address: | Rsteffens@Juno.com |
| Comments: | I was at the convention and was being from a "right to work" state was surprised at all the problems that our brothers in collective bargaining states are having. I wish you brother's well...Ray Steffens VP Local 68 Norfolk VA |
| Name: | Douglas Rice |
| E-mail address: | doug.rice@firehousemail.com |
| Comments: | Brother and sisters of Clearwater Fire, I heard of more problems with a chief that brings shame to himself as a former member of the IAFF. He may think he has the upper hand now, but karma has a way of coming around when least expected.
Best of luck in defeating this poor excuse for a chief. Fraternally, Doug Rice Secretary, IAFF L-1696 Salt Lake County Firefighters (Sent from the floor of the 2008 IAFF convention, following passage of Emergency Resolution 50) |
| Name: | Laura |
| E-mail address: | puckhauser@aol.com |
| Comments: | It is a shame that the city it was time and money harrassing the fire department. I wish you the best in your battle w/ the city. |
| Name: | Michael Ciaramello |
| E-mail address: | info@highfuelbill.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://freeethosfr.com |
| Comments: | As a Firefighter my self (local 2193) stay strong as a group.
If any of your guys are looking for a part time job selling a great fuel saving product check my web site out www.freeethosfr.com it's easy and fun to sell call me ! |
| Name: | Mike McHenry FF/EMT-P |
| E-mail address: | flightrescue69@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Brothers and sisters, my prayers are with you. Your cause is just and right so stay in the fight. Local 3516
President Fire & Iron station 55 |
| Name: | McLean McCadden |
| E-mail address: | cjm0216@aol.com |
| Name: | Mike Porch VP East Lake Fire 1158 |
| E-mail address: | porch51@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | We are honored to be part of such a GREAT union, and I look forward to a future where we can say we were right. |
| Name: | GINA L. HARP |
| E-mail address: | gmartini807@msn.com |
| Comments: | Keep up the effort. It's important to continually batter them with the truth. Eventually they will get tangled in their lies. Stay strong and support each other. Leave no cracks in your integrity to do the right thing. I personally am very proud that you all, as a union, are brave enough to stand up against lies and manipulation from your cities leaders. You call and any IAFF union brother and sister will be there to lend a hand, hold a sign, or just be a general pain in the butt to your elected 'crooks'. Watching and Waiting. |
| Name: | Jerry Norton |
| E-mail address: | fish4uinmd@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | As a retired FF/P from Prince George's County, MD Local 1619, I support your efforts. It seems that the only time we get the credit and fair compensation from a local government is during a time of crisis. |
| Name: | Andrew Lombardo |
| Comments: | I hope things will get better for you guys....
Much luck...... Andrew (Local 2928) |
| Name: | THOMAS CUNNINGHAM PRES. LOCAL 4657 |
| E-mail address: | RESQUEMAN31@YAHOO.COM |
| Comments: | YOU GUYS ARE DOING A GOOD THING KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT. |
| Name: | Jim Hahn |
| E-mail address: | kajahahn@bellsouth.net |
| Comments: | Fight the good fight brothers. Good luck. |
| Name: | Mike Carroll |
| Comments: | To the members of Local 1158,
To those of you who were unable to hear the talk show between John Lee and Bill Horne last Friday morning, I must say I was extremely proud to hear that you have John Lee leading your Union. To those who were able to see and/or hear the program, I'm sure you will agree. John exhibited the ultimate in cool, calm and factual representation of some of the issues facing you in your battle against the City of Clearwater, namely Bill Horne and Jamie Geer. You, as a Union, absolutely have to remain united in backing the efforts your Union is going to in seeing that you receive fair and equal treatment from those who would rather destroy you. Destroy being the key word here by pitting members against members, in an effort to split the Union, the City is doing its best to promote discord among the ranks. Stay tough, stay strong and above all stay UNITED. They can't get away with it much longer. |
| Name: | George J. Farrell |
| E-mail address: | 3080president@bellsouth.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://local3080.org |
| Comments: | Good luck to you all we are only 3 hours away and will come any time you need us. I owe you all a special thanks for treating my mother with such respect during a trip we took there and unfortunately had to use your services. The crew that responded was very professional as it seems all of you are good luck with this fight.
Fraternally George J. Farrell III |
| Name: | Bertram Hogan |
| E-mail address: | violinplyer@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://groups.msn.com/violinplyer |
| Comments: | Bertram Hogan
1241 South Betty Lane Clearwater, Florida 33756 727 798 5026 Bill Horne Clearwater City Manager Leadership Qualities It was enlightening to listen to the radio this month. I usually don’t and there are various reasons why. First and foremost is I don’t know where the radio stations are. The first program that I listened to was with Mr. Horne on 1340 Tan talk show back during the first week of July. Many subjects were discussed including Mr. Horne’s background as an Air Force officer. I truly hope that he does not take the approach that this city needs to be run like a military institution with him as the Commander-in-Chief. The position of a City Manager is to do just that - manage. Not to be someone who needs to be saluted and placed on a pedestal by his understudies and saluted everytime they pass by. Regarding the City's decision to purchase the Greenwood Blue Chip Bar I have a simple question. Did the Clearwater Police calls to the Greenwood Blue Chip bar cost more that the cost of buying the place? It is laudable and impressive that Mr. Horne wants to save money by eliminating the cause of many police calls but spending a half million to save money doesn’t add up. This huge amount of $525,000. seems to be a large amount. Is the City now in the real estate business? Kind of suspicious and dangerous. Suspicious because it seems that the North Greenwood area has been "targeted" for purchases by the City to "change" the neighborhood. Dangerous because we all know the current status of real estate. One could lose his proverbial butt if he is not careful. I have another thought. What would the City have expended to cover the cost of the Firefighters' raise that was originally budgeted but then retracted when Mr. Horne did not get his way with the "operational issues" with the negotiations? The discussion during that first broadcast also included the Clearwater Fire Department. One caller mentioned a scorecard with the union vs. the fire department with a 12 to zero score. Why is the city of Clearwater insisting on trying to change something (the contract, a.k.a. - "operational issues") so that they could win next time? That is one approach when you are not satisfied with the results of "battle" - change the rules so that the other side has no chance of beating you again. Lord knows that the City's hired guns sure seems to not be able to do anything to help them win. If I was on that side and had to pay those bills I'd fire them!!! Not another penny for Mr. Thompson, Sizemore, Gonzalez and whoever else they have. Regarding the second program I wasn't sure that I wanted to hear more from Mr. Horne but since it has Mr. John Lee President of Local 1158 Union on it I will listen. Part of the conversation on the first program touched on trying to save money because of the budget crunch. My main question is why don’t the leaders, Mayor and city council and city manager do the thing that they are supposed to do, lead. Instead of refusing to give the well-deserved raises to the Firefighters and Paramedics , why don't they reduce their own high salaries and perks on the job? I am sure that would be a hoot if they were to do that. I’m sure if they received the same salary as last year without any raises for this year there would be plenty of noise coming out from City Hall. Let's not blaim the loss of property taxes either. The dollars for those raises were budgeted last year. Oh, by the way, the only city employees out of 1800 or so that did not get a raise were the approximately 60 - 65 from the fire department. My bad….....they needed that money on another project. The links below are to sites I have. Please feel free to check them out... Bertram http://groups.msn.com/violinplyer/homepage http://violinplyer.spaces.live.com/ http://gigslist.org/index.php http://myspace.com/hoganviolins |
| Name: | Gerard DeVivo |
| Comments: | You can click on the following link to listen to the radio show with IAFF President John Lee and city manager Horne.
http://www.tmtalks.com/ |
| Name: | Merv Kennell |
| E-mail address: | firemedicmrk@aol.com |
| Comments: | It is great to see the truth about an inept 6 bugle Fire Chief and his boss is finally getting public air time, and their are visible cracks forming in the City walls. Todays radio debate between John Lee (FF's) and Mr. Horne (city Mgr)was both revealing and quite unflattering for Mr. Horne. It is time to clean house of those who have been systematically wasting taxpayer dollars in order to defend their illegal/improper actions against the Firefighters, and feed their dictator type ultra-ego's.
Stay the course brothers! |
| Name: | Jim Wilcox |
| E-mail address: | proffemt204@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | PTB! FTM!! |
| Name: | Bobby |
| E-mail address: | Robertjnewton17@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I am a proud citizen of Clearwater and I supports the Clearwater Fire Department. Thank you for the great job guys!!!!!!!!!! |
| Name: | Don Thomson |
| E-mail address: | donthomson@gmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.iaff1158.org |
| Comments: | Very good rebuttal Mr. Hogan! Thank you for your support. We need more taxpayers like you to continue to ask the hard questions, and hold those responsible, accountable for their actions (or perhaps, inactions). You don't see the FF's hiding behind spin doctors. Just the facts.
All citizens: Get ALL the facts, and decide for yourself. |
| Name: | Bertram Hogan |
| E-mail address: | violinplyer@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://groups.msn.com/violinplyer |
| Comments: | To the writer who responded to my recent letter in the St. Pete Times. About the raises that all city employees got (oops, you forgot about over 60 of the firefighters and paramedics who did not get a raise this year!)
Well this is about the Paramedics and Firefighters going through their contract negotiations or lack of, well the correct word is impasse. Just checking some public records the other day and saw some figures that makes me wonder about Robin Hood/Horne. He got his 4% didn’t he? But, of course, his job is “different” from the firefighters and paramedics. (I would love to see him in some firefighter’s gear even if just for a minute or so ……….) Hey didn’t that guy take from the rich and give to the poor? From the way I see it, the only City of Clearwater Employees that didn’t get a raise were the 60 or so Firefighters and Paramedics who were left out of a general wage increase that all others in the City received. Well Fire Chief Geer is an obvious exception at an almost 5% raise this year and if you include the sexual harassment settlement (that Clearwater TAXPAYERS will pay – ($75,000. + $37,000. for attorneys = $112,000), that’s a good year indeed Mr. Fire Chief. I would like to see the city manager making house calls with the salary and raise that he just got for himself. With the almost 4% for this year, plus, the expenses of city vehicle and furnished gas – man! I wish someone would pay for my gas bill! You would think that Mr. Horne could afford house calls to check on those that he serves. When was the last time that he stepped foot in a fire station to talk to the troops? Just to get a feeling for what they are thinking. Makes you think, doesn’t it? Maybe it truly is just p-e-r-s-o-n-a-l. What do you think???? In closing, to the last person, a city employee, who responded to my recent letter and said something about the firefighters wanting a raise just to get one. Looks like you got yours, didn’t you? |
| Name: | Robin Cooper |
| E-mail address: | ffd@aol.com |
| Comments: | good luck guys. |
| Name: | Rob Fickett |
| E-mail address: | fickettinc@embargmail.com |
| Comments: | Enough is enough treat the Fireman the way they should be treated |
| Name: | Chris Newsome L2057 |
| E-mail address: | Newsome201@aol.com |
| Comments: | Well I had a vacation in your beautiful city but for the cause have cancelled it. I hope these issues will be resolved shortly and will come to visit whenever they do! Stay safe. OCFRD L2057. |
| Name: | Mark Treglio |
| E-mail address: | mark@saveclearwaterfire.org |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.saveclearwaterfire.org |
| Comments: |
Clearwater to pay ex-firefighter $75K in settlement By Demorris A. Lee, Times Staff Writer In print: Saturday, July 5, 2008 http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/article661309.ece CLEARWATER — A former Clearwater firefighter has settled her lawsuit with the city over a sex discrimination charge leveled against the fire chief. Lt. Wendy Cason, a 20-year veteran and at the time the city's highest-ranking female firefighter, will receive $74,999, according to Pam Akin, Clearwater's attorney. Akin said the city isn't acknowledging any wrongdoing. She said it makes more fiscal sense to settle than go ahead with a scheduled August trial. Cason, who retired from the department in May 2007, referred comments to her attorney. "Wendy Cason is very pleased with the settlement and she thinks the amount indicates that the city realizes that she was treated unlawfully," Ryan Barack said. "Lt. Cason continues to believe that there are problems at the highest levels of the Clearwater Fire Department, and she is hopeful that city leaders will continue to evaluate whether or not Jamie Geer should be fire chief." Cason said Geer discriminated against her when he didn't allow her to take a makeup test when she missed an examination required for a promotion to district chief. A male firefighter who was also absent was allowed to take a makeup test. Cason filed the discrimination claim against the Fire Department in December 2005. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission substantiated Cason's claim, saying the city "had a liberal practice for allowing makeup examinations and that (Cason) did provide an adequate excuse for her absence during the initial test." The city hired the law firm of Thompson, Sizemore, Gonzalez & Hearing for $37,000 as its representative in the matter. George Cretekos, Clearwater's vice mayor, said the city's staff was "very confident that we could and would have prevailed" if the matter had proceeded to trial. "But the council felt for the financial situation, it was in the best interest to settle," Cretekos said. Council member John Doran agreed and said the City Council is always monitoring to ensure that city polices are being followed. "We do that on a regular basis," Doran said. "If someone would in fact look at what's happened over the last couple of years, I believe there has been some systematic changes." Demorris A. Lee can be reached at 445-4174 or dalee@sptimes.com. |
| Name: | mike dolnick |
| E-mail address: | firedad_3@bellsouth.net |
| Comments: | In times like these support of fire service is job 1
Lt. Mike Dolnick Seminole Tribe Fire Rescue |
| Name: | Turk 182 |
| Comments: | Sunday, June 29th 2008 - 06:11:29 PM
"Now to hold the city hostage and threaten livelihoods of the folks you're supposed to protect? Not to mention the many athletes who train just to compete in the games. Shame on you folks. PRESENT BOTH SIDES!!! Cool your heels, junior. The citizens HAVE BEEN and WILL CONTINUE TO BE taken care of, as they always have been. Have you been living under a rock? The 'athletes' that you speak of are all members of the International Association of Fire Fighters. They are US! What you've failed to realize is the fact that if you fight with one of us, you fight with all of us. Did I mention that All OF US are coming to Clearwater in August to collect for Jerry's Kids. Please give. As to presenting "both sides"... get your own website. The city manager doesn't have any problems using the SP Times as his bully pulpit and 'he' has presented just one side (his side) without your added hypocracy. Grow up. That's the way things work. FTM |
| Name: | Turk 182 |
| Comments: | Sunday, June 29th 2008 - 06:11:29 PM
"Now to hold the city hostage and threaten livelihoods of the folks you're supposed to protect? Not to mention the many athletes who train just to compete in the games. Shame on you folks. PRESENT BOTH SIDES!!! Cool your heels, junior. The citizens HAVE BEEN and WILL CONTINUE TO BE taken care of, as they always have been. Have you been living under a rock? The 'athletes' that you speak of are all members of the International Association of Fire Fighters. They are US! What you've failed to realize is the fact that if you fight with one of us, you fight with all of us. Did I mention that All OF US are coming to Clearwater in August to collect for Jerry's Kids. Please give. As to presenting "both sides"... get your own website. The city manager doesn't have any problems using the SP Times as his bully pulpit and 'he' has presented just one side (his side) without your added hypocracy. Grow up. That's the way things work. FTM |
| Name: | Craig Cramer |
| Comments: | The city just paid another large sum of money to settle a discrimination suit. The citizens can thank Jamie Geer once again for costing them their hard earned tax money because of his ineptness and discriminating ways. Now, four more fire fighters have filed federal discrimination charges against some of the chiefs of the Clearwater Fire Department and the city with the US EEOC. When does "enough is enough" come into play and these scoflaws get booted out? |
| Name: | Fletch |
| E-mail address: | dfletcher.bbfd@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Good things come to those who wait. Keep the faith and know that you all have alot of support out here. I'll spend my money somewhere else in the mean time. |
| Name: | Tim Stromsnes |
| E-mail address: | lutzstromsnes@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I am appalled by the way my brothers are being treated. I really mean brothers because I am personal friends with many of Clearwater's fireman. I believe that the City that represenative Ed Hooper hails from and the City he served as a fireman for years has said that the fireman can not do the MDA bootdrive is an absolute outrage. He sponsored the Iris bill that allows all fireman the right to solicit for MDA statewide. Solicit is a misconception, We as fireman do not get one cent of this money and do this in the heat of summer for little girls like Iris. The city of Clearwater is not hurting the fireman but is actually hurting little girls like Iris. I have met Iris and her family and have actually helped them get into Disney for the day. So why don't you cowards or politicians actually get a set and look Iris in the eyes and tell her that Ed Hooper's hometown can not collect for her. In August I will be there collecting and I ask every fireman statewide to show this city what some pissed off fireman can do. |
| Name: | Bill Davis |
| E-mail address: | bdavis_911@comcast.net |
| Comments: | Together we are strong... |
| Name: | C. Grant |
| E-mail address: | cgrant630@charter.net |
| Comments: | What a shame, As a Former Florida Firefighter, I too know to ill effects of administation treating FireFighters unfairly!! Now a Georgia Firefighter, WOW what a difference, and such a shame that just over the State line you can be treated like you actually mean something to the community, and the people you serve!! Good luck to yall !! |
| Name: | James Carino |
| E-mail address: | laurcofilm@aol.com |
| Comments: | I am writing in hopes to curb... what? An outright attack against my father's legacy? I have to first ask, how long have you been alive? My father has given 31 years, this past February, of service to the citizens of Clearwater. That’s exactly two weeks less service time than he has given to me as a father. 31 years. Minus that from your age and go from there. He’s been doing this job since you were X years old.
I have never known my father to be anything other than a firefighter. And he has been a firefighter in the city of Clearwater his entire career. I am a firefighter with the FDNY. Without his example I would never have had the courage to pursue this life. My God, I am glad I did. I have the benefit of knowing what few others know: this is the best job in the world. And it’s the best job, despite politicians and cowards. What makes a firefighter? That first breath of cool air from a mask? That hood pulled over the netting on that face piece? That sensation of getting down on your knees and crawling over someone’s detritus only to find a lifeless body? The thrill of hitting that orange glow with that water? Putting your hands on death, using the skills you embody, and ‘breathing’ life into that death? Helping an elderly man off the floor he has fallen upon… or caring for a scared child? Or, simply, making a person feel safe and happy just with your presence… What makes a coward? What makes a politician? Oddly enough the answer may not be that far apart—lying. A coward lies. A politician lies. That’s in their nature. Or else they’d go get real jobs. What is a legacy? It’s a memory. A memory created by a lifetime of trials. My father has given 31 years of service to his own legacy. What will be remembered when he says “I’m done”? When you get hired help in leadership positions I can guarantee they have no idea, because they have not served with him or sat with him or been in that three-room apartment fire with fire blowing down from above. They’re high priced cowards with don’t deserve to wear the same uniform as my father. My father inspires me because he fights despite the young entitled generation that has come after him. He fights despite people I call my contemporaries. How many Clearwater firefighters were next to him when other unions vowed to help fight this horrific union-busting administration? And how many of those firefighters had less than five years on? Where is the brotherhood? It’s not just a catchphrase, or something you can throw around to your buddies. This job is not just a t-shirt. It’s not something to tell the ladies. You either know or you don’t know. Strength is not measured by how much you can bench press. Courage is not measured in how tough you think you are. It’s measured by the work you put in and the sacrifice you make. In that regard my father is toughest, meanest son-of-a-bitch I’ve ever met. And I’d stand by him no matter what comes down the pipe. I’m writing YET AGAIN to try and inspire some passion. Because I’m selfish. I have a son I want my father to know. And that’s plain and simple. My father is a grandfather now. He’s done 31 years on the line with you, and he deserves the peace and quiet a grandfather gets. Instead, he continues to fight for what I see to be an ungrateful contingent with little strength in their own hearts… or else, why do you let the senior man pick up your pieces? It must come from the same group that let’s a guy with 31 years on empty a dishwasher, clean a plate, clean and check a tool, and make a pot of coffee. I’ve seen that with my own eyes and I can’t fathom it. How in the world can you let a senior man pick up after you? And I see how he fights, nearly alone, for a cause he has little need for. He’s done his time. He fights for my generation (a generation who honestly can give a crap about tradition). And for the next. That’s what a legacy is. And you’re lucky he doesn’t share my screw-you attitude. I tell him often, "Just go, dad, they don't give a crap, just go..." And he says, "Kid, I can't, I've given so much..." I, myself, am done caring about your fate if you can’t step up to the plate. I only write these letters because my father needs to know his legacy isn’t built to be an empty memory. I drive to work before every tour and I swear to myself, today I’m going to learn, today I’m going to make this job proud. That passion is born solely from my father. I call him everyday to remind myself of the life I can have, if only I follow his example. That includes being a father myself and being a good fireman. Put up or shut up time. Cowards are trying to shut your union down. What are you going to do about it? Cowards. That’s what those people are. Cowards. If you don’t put up a fight, what are you? |
| Name: | Mike Carlin |
| E-mail address: | firerescue14@verizon.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://local311.org |
| Comments: | Having used Clearwater Fire's services for a loved one while on vacation this last March I am appalled by the stories I heard and what I have read. Keep fighting the good fight and best of luck!!
M. Carlin, EMT-P IAFF Local 311 |
| Name: | Mike Carroll |
| Comments: | To, "the whole picture",
Sir, let me start by saying this. The boycott has nothing to do with negotiations and everything to do with fair treatment of public employees by the City of Clearwater upper management. The fire Union does more for the public's interest and wellfare than Bill Horne would ever think of doing. Have you ever seen him on the street corner holding a boot for MDA, drenched in sweat? I haven't, nor will I because it doesn't serve his self-absorbed interests. I see you are afraid to identify yourself. This tells me that you have no knowledge of the facts yourself, so here is "the whole picture." Mr. Horne's column in the Sunday paper addressed several things that I too will address here. Horne: "Automatic 5 percent annual "step" pay raises during their first five years of service, and 2.5 percent raises every other year for the next 12 years in addition to any negotiated "general wage increase." The step increases alone equate to a 2.5 percent annual wage increase over a 20-year career." Fact: Step raisies are a hiring and retention incentive. Ask anyone hired in the last eight years if these were a major determinig factor in coming to Clearwater Fire. If it were not for these step raises, Clearwater would really be sucking hind tit compared to other Pinellas County Fire Departments. As it is now, we might almost match other departments. Steps have nothing to do with the rising costs of living, the raise we are asking for. In other words, YOU think it is okay for 68 FFs to go three years with only a 2.5% raise for that period of time. Horne: "A $1,000 annual allowance for uniforms and replacement of personal items." Fact: This covers replacement of clothes soiled by the blood of the patients and victims we deal with on a daily basis. Once contaminated ALL clothes, shoes, gloves etc, are destroyed. Plus, it is against NFPA regulations to take sooty and soiled garments home in personal vehicles to be washed in family washing machines. Have you been to a laundramat lately and seen how much it costs to do a load of clothes? How clean did they get? Horne: "A lump sum payment of at least $100,000 at the time of retirement from a state supplemental pension program." Fact: First off, did you see the word "STATE"? Secondly, take at least 20% out of that for Uncle Sam, add into it the annual rate of inflation over twenty years, minus the fact that you have to work twenty years to collect this amount and "Oh Boy! I'm rich!" Horne: " After 20 years of service, a pension equal to 55 percent of their salary, with annual cost of living adjustments for life." Fact: If you think that a top paid firefighter making $45,000.00 a year can live on $24,750.00 a year today, you're just plain ole dumb. Mr. Horne will receive 100% of his salary annually when he retires this October, for only TEN years of his service. Horne: "Four floating holidays that can be converted to a cash payment if not used by the end of each year." Fact: Whoopie! One very small perk, considering we work every holiday ever invented, and if we don't take or sell them back we lose them. We can only split one into four hour increments. If we don't use our vacation days by Dec. 31st, we lose them too. I can't speak for the police, but CWA, the other Union, can roll their vacation over from one year to the next for as long as they want, up to a certain amount (I believe it's 240 hours). I'd love to be able to take six straight months off and get paid for it. How about you? Horne goes on to list what we are "demanding". These are not demands, but issues that we are trying to hash out with the city through "good faith bargaining." If you would like to now EXACTLY where we stand, contact one of the Union representatives listed on this web site. Then and only then, will you get "THE WHOLE PICTURE." By the way, everything we make public, is taken directly from public records. The same place you can get the information, if you are not too ashamed to use your name to do so. |
| Name: | The whole picture |
| Comments: | Those of you reading this web site, keep in mind you're only getting one side of the story. The fire fighters have a long history of causing their own problems. Talk about riding around town with signs on your cars, talk about having a head on a stick when you marched. These are just the types of things that cause bad blood. Both sides need a change in leadership to bring things together. Now to hold the city hostage and threaten livelihoods of the folks you're supposed to protect? Not to mention the many athletes who train just to compete in the games. Shame on you folks. PRESENT BOTH SIDES!!! |
| Name: | Justin Dilkes |
| E-mail address: | Firemedic914@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Thank you, to all those people who have taken the time to read the site. I appreciate the support you all have shown.
Local 1158 Clearwater, Fl |
| Name: | Timothy Dunn |
| E-mail address: | tdunn@canton-mi.org |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.cantonfirefighters.org |
| Comments: | I wish all of you the best of luck. I really wish you chief would just quick. Sounds like he really is not much of a chief. I wish there was something we could help with, here from Michigan. Just know we support you and wish you the best outcome.
Timothy Dunn President - Local 2289 |
| Name: | Curtis Bollinger |
| E-mail address: | bcurtis198@aol.com |
| Comments: | Another local 3101 here I will be there on aug 23,24 we do know where you are at and may need your support. thanks and cant wait |
| Name: | Elizabeth Lee |
| E-mail address: | Becsnana@aol.com |
| Comments: | Good luck to you guys and gals. I admire all of you for the job you do as well as for trying so hard to right wrongs. I think Clearwater will be bypassed by me this year and a trip to Orlando will replace it. |
| Name: | Kevin M. |
| Comments: | Keep up the fight. Don't give up, the iaff will win!!!
Kevin M. Waynesboro Professional Fire Fighters & Emergency Services Local 4668 |
| Name: | Jim Carino, Exec. V.P. L-1158 |
| E-mail address: | kathycarino@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Guests, Brothers and Sisters, please do not engage with "anonymous". We all know anonymity is cowardly, something we are not. By looking at the hour of the post "A" must have been a little sleep deprived and cranky. All "A" has to do is read the facts, just as P.E.R.C.,the E.E.O.C.,and federal arbitrators did. Laws were broken, members were fired or demoted unjustly and without cause, Constitutional rights of due process were violated, gender discrimination and lack of credible testimoney on managements part. If these were not bad enough, hundreds of thousands of hard earned taxpayers have been squandered by city officials, and department management, defending these lawless acts. All in a losing effort to break our great union and spirit. Money,that could have been better spent on public safety,quality of life ,childrens services, and more. Let's stay on course and not turn this most valuable, informative venue into a mud slinging match. Thank you for all you have done for our members, and for what you do every day. Keep low and stay safe. |
| Name: | Anonomyous |
| Comments: | You guys call yourself professionals? You're all liars. I know you will most likely delete this because I'm posting something other than an agreement, so therefore, I'm unprofessional. You know good and well, the City of Clearwater has been saved. Be greatful and stop complaining. Stop lying. Just grow up and act your ages. |
| Name: | DON R CLARK SR |
| E-mail address: | cletusclark@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | I am currently an Engineer w/ 19 years on the City of Cape Coral fire Dept.Good luck. DC |
| Name: | J.Hansen |
| E-mail address: | jeromy407@hotmail,com |
| Comments: | Save clearwater! OFD 1365 |
| Name: | Tony Castro |
| E-mail address: | t911c@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I can not believe that the very people there to help are being treated in this manner.Don't stop fighting.WE are with you. |
| Name: | Danny Callahan |
| E-mail address: | l2bcal2@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | It is amazing that a City cannot take care of it's Public Safety and Protection personel. I will not be in Cleawater until you folks get some respect. Good luck.
Wildland FF Senior Forest Ranger Glades County, Florida |
| Name: | Jason A Smedick |
| E-mail address: | jsmedick@milford.nh.gov |
| Comments: | As Treasure of Central NH Local 4129 I support your efforts in turning the situation around. My family and I will not be vacationing in Clearwater anytime soon. Take care a keep up the good work.
Stay safe! |
| Name: | carlos ruiz |
| E-mail address: | cr14all@msm.com |
| Comments: | Unreal what you guys are going thru |
| Name: | Don Thomson |
| E-mail address: | donthomson@gmail.com |
| Comments: | Just a quick note of thanks to all who have joined in our endeavour with an overwhelming show of support. Have spoken to a few of our Fire Brigade Brothers & Sisters, over here in London. They will be spreading the word over here as well to stay away from Clearwater. Hope to visit a few Brothers & Sisters in Scotland later on the trip. |
| Name: | R Patton |
| E-mail address: | rpatton@iafflocal3101.com |
| Comments: | Hey,
Local 3101 here we will be there on Aug 23,24 to help fight for the cause. Because we are in near the same boat, and might need you help soon. R Patton Lt 3101 |
| Name: | David E. Hogan, Jr. |
| E-mail address: | david.hogan_HR@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | I fully support the Firefighters of the City of Clearwater and the I.A.F.F. Local 1158. The City should be ashamed of itself by negotiating in such bad faith!
Treat these public servants with the respect they deserve. |
| Name: | T.C. Miller III |
| E-mail address: | tcmzoo3@aol.com |
| Comments: | I am with you guys all the way---
TC miller III 26 year Veteran Lealman Fire Rescue Local 747 St. Petersburg Association Of Firefighter |
| Name: | Sean Pierce |
| E-mail address: | ffpierce@gmail.com |
| Comments: | Keep up the Fight! See you in August for the MDA Boot Drive.
Local 2117 Reedy Creek Firefighters Association |
| Name: | Bertram Hogan |
| E-mail address: | violinplyer@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://groups.msn.com/violinplyer |
| Comments: | Great Job David a very informative site.
I will check back from time to time. Bertram |
| Name: | Dustin Teske |
| E-mail address: | dustin.teske@sbcglobal.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.OPEIU30.org |
| Comments: | Great work...impressive teamwork and dedication from Workers battling for justice in a 'Right to Work FOR LESS State'. Keep it up! |
| Name: | James Lerch |
| E-mail address: | rfd285d@msn.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://readingpafire.com/ |
| Comments: | Best of luck, Keep up the fight & never give up.
Fraternally, James Lerch Reading Firefighters Local #1803 |
| Name: | Bernie Noonan |
| E-mail address: | bnoon2154@sbcglobal.net |
| Comments: | When you fight injustice in your city, you fight injustice for all of us. Exposing bad politicians takes courage and perseverance. I will forward this message to my union brothers and members of my family in Florida. Thank you and God bless all of you.
In solidarity, Bernie Noonan Local 1148 |
| Name: | KW |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.iaff2542.org |
| Comments: | Good luck in your battles. IAFF L2542, Olathe, KS |
| Name: | daniel cunningham |
| E-mail address: | diver51@verizon.net |
| Comments: | buffalo new york local 282 member. My family has a places in largo that we visit during the year. good luck vote democratic |
| Name: | Anthony R Lancia Jr |
| E-mail address: | smksprk4@sbcglobal.net |
| Comments: | Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I offer to you that the persistent message of facts that you provide to your constituents will pay off, never lose hope in quest to rid the City of Clearwater of crooked Politicians who play puppet to their own personal agendas to only create a resume for higher authority in another forum. You must stop them now for they will only come back to haunt you elsewhere. Fraternally, Anthony R. Lancia, Jr President Local 3918 IAFF |
| Name: | Dennis |
| E-mail address: | parrotheadfan@cox.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://iaff83.org |
| Comments: | BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF 1158
STAY THE COURSE FIGHT THE FIGHT HERE IN TOPEKA KS WE ARE ALSO DEALING WITH CUTS AND COMPANYS BEING SHUTDOWN. BE STRONG EVERTHING WILL WORKOUT FOR THE BETTER. |
| Name: | Brian Stockdale |
| E-mail address: | president@iafflocal1718.org |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.iafflocal1718.org |
| Comments: | We are behind you. The boycott information has been passed along.
Brian Stockdale President Brunswick Professional Firefighters, Local 1718 |
| Name: | Jason Downing |
| E-mail address: | bath430@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Stay strong in your fight and hopefully you'll have some results soon. I'll pass this on to my local and others.
Firefighter Local 1611 |
| Name: | Mike Osiecki |
| E-mail address: | mikeosick@sbcglobal.net |
| Comments: | Brothers & Sisters,
Good Luck with your fight!! It is a shame these days we have to fight so hard for health & safety. Local 3918 IAFF |
| Name: | Barry Carter |
| E-mail address: | iaff168@cs.com |
| Comments: | Dear Brothers be assured all of our members and retirees have been encouraged and shall not consider Clearwater for our vacations until our brothers and Sisters in Clearwater are treated fairly.
Barry Carter President Paducah Ky Local 168 |
| Name: | A John Braud |
| E-mail address: | acklan@acklan.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://acklan.com |
| Comments: | Best wishes from Local 557, City of Baton Rouge Fire Dept |
| Name: | William pellegrino |
| E-mail address: | pellei193@comcast.net |
| Comments: | Keep fighting a good fight. From Edison nj same thing going on here |
| Name: | Joyce Carroll |
| Comments: | First of all, the announcement has nothing to do with stalled negotiations and everything to do with the Union Busting tactics driven by city manager William Horne and Fire Chief Jamie Geer. To this end they have continuously and consistently worked together to bring about discord and disharmony among rank and file Clearwater Firefighters. Instead of proactively helping members to succeed in their jobs, these two top managers, along with Joseph Rosetto, the city’s Human Resource Director, are doing everything they can to see that your firefighters fail and they will jump at any chance to suspend or terminate any individual for a minor infraction. The number of lost Unfair Labor Practice suits and PERC rulings, along with the pending sex discrimination suit, is a prime example of the nature and will of these three city officials. Along with the existing EEOC finding in favor of Ms Wendy Cason (sex discrimination), there are at least three other EEOC cases under investigation against the city for age discrimination. These cases also have nothing to do with contract negotiations. It is solely the illegal acts constantly being committed by the city, mainly Chief Geer and Bill Horne.
As for demands, the Union has made NO demands. They have merely been asking for what is fair. As Mr. Bob Carver so eloquently put it in his FPF Press Release regarding existing grievances and past as well as future lawsuits, “the potential to exceed $1 Million dollars is a reality, not a dream.” The Firefighters of the City of Clearwater, are there whenever you need them. Now, they need you! They need you to ask questions of your city council and city manager. Ask questions of any members of the fire department or their Union representatives. Ask your city officials why they are so intent on wasting your tax dollars to harass the very individuals who protect your lives and property. Ask them how far they are willing to go with your money to boost their egos and self-serving agendas. As for Bill Horne, Chief Geer and Joe Rosetto, the ones creating this great discord, hold them accountable for their illegal actions and fiscal irresponsibility. See to it that your "will be done." After all, you, the citizens of Clearwater, do sign their paychecks. To the citizens and business owners and others affected by the Boycott, you have my sympathy, but they, the FFs, cannot stand by and watch this total disregard for the law and the mis-appropriation of your tax dollars any more. It is time that you stand up and help yourselves, as well as helping them. "United you stand, individually they will fall!" |
| Name: | Kelly Hallman |
| E-mail address: | kellyhallman@verizon.net |
| Comments: | Hey guys,
Keep up the fight. Your chief's actions prove that he never was truly a firefighter, only a beurocrat in sheeps clothing. I am sure the f/f's he has served with are proud to know him. many of my guys plan to be with you to collect for MDA in august. Kelly Hallman Hillsborough County Firefighters L2294 |
| Name: | Rich Ruehl |
| E-mail address: | RRuehl@IAFFLocal2000.org |
| Comments: | Good luck in your fight for fair and equitable treatment. We're behind you 100% here in Howard County, Maryland. |
| Name: | ANDREA PIFER |
| E-mail address: | APIFER@CCSO.ORG |
| Name: | Craig Cramer |
| Comments: | It is overwhelming to see the support of not just my Brothers and Sisters, but that of the citizens as well. My heartfelt thanks go out to each and every one of you. After almost 28 years of being a fire fighter, this is the lowest point I have ever seen. Morale, confidence (or lack thereof) in our chiefs, city manager and HR manager takes a toll. But with the support of all of you, it is a refreshing reminder that we are not forgotten. Geer, Horne, Roseto, etc. will be gone before we are and that is a thought for all of us to hang onto. Pathetic losers such as these come and go, and their time to go will be sooner than you think. Keep the faith and we will persevere. |
| Name: | t amari |
| E-mail address: | tamari@tampabay.rr.com |
| Comments: | I agree 100%; fire fighters have been harassed by these officals. Many of these fire fighters have also been wrongfully terminated. Because they refused to be YES men to these officals and stood their ground for what the real fire fighters beleive in. These are very experienced & respected fire fighters within the community. These Clearwater leaders are the ones that need to be fired and stop wasting the tax payers money. They also owe MANY written apologies! |
| Name: | LT Rob Aronow |
| E-mail address: | vfib007@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://myspace.com/alphamedic |
| Comments: | Brothers,
I am behind you 100% stay strong and never give up. Looks like we'll be spending 4th of july in the keys instead of Clearwater beach. LT Rob Aronow EMT-P SORT/ TACTICAL |
| Name: | Tim Day |
| E-mail address: | daymang@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://wwwiaff1198.org |
| Comments: | Keep up the fight!! It is truly unbelievable the abuse of power the city is imposing on members of your Local. Our retirees that live on the Florida Gulkf Coast are being made aware of these union busting tactics.
Fraternally, Tim Day West Haven, CT IAFF Local 1198 |
| Name: | Barbara Joyce |
| E-mail address: | graybarb@verizon.net |
| Comments: |
Just want to say thank you to all those showing support for Local 1158. As a Clearwater Fire Fighter’s wife, I have been privy to the years of mistreatment these selfless men and women have suffered and it feels good to know that so many other people care about their plight. The City of Clearwater is crying foul as the Union continues to move forward with its attempt to correct the unfair treatment, discrimination, contract violations, disregard for legal process and most importantly the flagrant waste of tax payers’ monies to try and correct the ongoing management fiasco created by the current administration. The latest attempts by local 1158 to bring change to the way they are being treated have little to do with contract negotiations, contrary to The City’s stance. These men and women are fed up, have been backed into a corner and have decided enough is enough. Activism and Unity are the Firefighters’ only avenues of defense, and I for one am glad to see them making good use of these tools. The web page presents documented facts; the members of Local 1158 are not the ones with legal process finding them in the wrong. Can the City of Clearwater make the same claim? It appears they cannot. The job held by my husband and his peers is not one I could stomach. They miss evenings, weekends, and holidays with their families and see and do things most of us would never imagine having to see or do, not for their own benefit but for the benefit of their community and its citizens. They work twenty four hour shifts, rain or shine, sometimes in the most stressful and gruesome conditions imaginable. The mistreatment of these individuals is affecting their morale and adding more stress to a career that is already known to increase stress related health issues. Not a wise move in my opinion. They do not consider themselves special, and yet many of the citizens of Clearwater owe their lives or livelihoods to these brave men and women. They go over and above in the performance of their jobs and really love what they do. (I wish we could all say the same) Perhaps this page will help enlighten the Citizens of Clearwater to the senseless waste of hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars which have been spent trying to correct poor management decisions, as well as to the overbearing management practices Clearwater’s Firefighters continue to endure. Perhaps it may even lead to change? Thanks again for all the support. Barbara Joyce |
| Name: | Mike Gonzalez |
| E-mail address: | ff110@embarqmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.local1826.com |
| Comments: | Keep up the fight and stay the course. This what you are going through is almost the same thing we went through many years ago. Its nothing more than a Union Busting tactic. But they underestimate the power of us all when we work together. We are all behind you !!!
Mike Gonzalez L1826 Dist 6 |
| Name: | John McGee |
| E-mail address: | smfdfyrftr@aol.com |
| Comments: | Brothers & Sisters,
My family and I will be visiting the Tampa/St.Pete/Clearwater area in August and will NOT do any business in the City of Clearwater! Please keep us up to date on any walking/standing/picketing that you will be organizing and we will be proud to stand with you and for you!! Stay Safe, Be Well and KEEP THE FAITH- Fraternally John McGee |
| Name: | Lt. Jon K. Jensen |
| E-mail address: | fyrmedk@aol.com |
| Comments: | Keep up the fight, we have forwarded your e-mail to everyone in our address books in the hope that we can get the word out. Best of luck to all of you in your time of need.
fraternaly yours, Jon K. Jensen |
| Name: | Capt Earl Acosta |
| E-mail address: | Eacosta@coj.net |
| Comments: | Stop the nonsense. Allow your Firefighters to serve the public instead of continued legal battles. Ask the citizens what they think they are our greatest allies!! |
| Name: | George Farrell |
| E-mail address: | Farrellg@bellsouth.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://http://local3080.org |
| Comments: | Anything we can do to help lets us know 720 members strong |
| Name: | Dave kinsey |
| E-mail address: | d.kinsey2@verizon.net |
| Comments: | As a retiree and active union member i cannot thank all involved enough for the support given to our local. The News release today by FPF President Carver was a dramatic show of respect and support for all we have had to endure for the last 6 years. I wish to say how proud I am to be associated with the FPF and the IAFF as they reach out to help our brothers in need. |
| Name: | Craig Misener |
| E-mail address: | craigmisener@verizon.net |
| Comments: | We're behind you brothers and sisters all the way.
Tarpon Springs local 3140 |
| Name: | Jeff Morris |
| E-mail address: | fyrbug44@verizon.net |
| Comments: | Got your back brothers, will spread the word. Local 2546. |
| Name: | Kirby Lastinger |
| E-mail address: | klastinger@tampabay.rr.com |
| Comments: | You have my support.
Kirby Lastinger; Lieutenant Lakeland Fire Department; Local 4173 |
| Name: | Pat |
| Comments: | Clearwater Fire Fighter Brothers and Sisters of Local 1158:
Stand Strong in Union Solidarity. You are each the best of the best! The Mayor, Council, City Manager and Jamie need to understand that we as tax paying Citizens are behind the Fire Fighters and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! Stop wasting tax payers money. Let's pay and protect our Fire Fighters who run into burning building to save us and our property as we run out in fear, and assist us in accidents and illness with the utmost of skills, care and professionalism... Our hat's are off to you Clearwater Fire Fighters.. We stand beside you proudly. |
| Name: | Judy & Nic Foster |
| E-mail address: | judybfoster@mindspring.com |
| Comments: | We are in complete support of the City of Clearwater Firefighters! |
| Name: | Mike Gallatin |
| E-mail address: | mgallatin@comcast.net |
| Comments: | Brothers and Sisters of Clearwater Fire. Keep up the fight and never give in. It is amazing how your Union has come to gether in these hard times. You have the full support of St. Johns Co. Local 3865 |
| Name: | Marcy Huffman |
| E-mail address: | mhuffman@triusjanitorial.com |
| Comments: | As I satlistening to my husband last night after a call from one of his CWFD Brother's,my heart filled with emotion.
Why is this battle still being fought? Why is Mr Horne so intimidated by CWFD that he keeps this BS going, year after year? I can honestly say that CWFD is a very professional educated & compassionate department.The city of clearwater should be proud of them, not degrading them. You guys are great. You've always been & always will be a great Fire Department and you've done on your own, without management. Your awesome leadership has been your own. Your push to motivate & move forward has been your own. It take a special group of people that are strong,unified & determend to keep pushing for achievement. That has CWFD all over it. "You are the Band of Brother's" Keep fighting for what's right, don't look back. It's an honor to have CWFD as a part of our life. We will always have your back like you had ours. Wish you the best, you deserve it. God Bless |
| Name: | Cindy Carbonell |
| E-mail address: | lwmedic@aol.com |
| Comments: | My e-mails to both the CA and the Fire Chief have been sent. I support you all the way. You won't see my tail in Clearwater this summer. Pity, I love going there for a few days to stay at the Holiday Inn Clearwater Beach. Please let the hotel they will have 5 fewer guests this summer. No, never mind, I'll do it myself. Take care guys and stay tough, the tide always changes. |
| Name: | Eddie Lyons SPFD |
| E-mail address: | spollypb@earthlink.net |
| Comments: | Stay Unified in your attempts to prevail in your cause. From one union brother who is continually being beat down by our city. |
| Name: | Lori Lyons |
| E-mail address: | spollypb@earthlink.net |
| Comments: | Keep up the good work. Stay strong and unified. Cities all over are participating in union busting activities. |
| Name: | bill cadzow |
| E-mail address: | bill@billcadzow.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://billcadzow.com |
| Comments: | I will happy to boycott the city!!! |
| Name: | M. Shane Ferguson |
| Comments: | As the Treasurer for Ocala Local 2135, you have my FULL support! |
| Name: | Joe D. Smith retired L-122 |
| E-mail address: | bigjoejax@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Keep up the fight, don't waiver, don't give in.
It takes some so-called Chiefs longer than others to learn you must treat the employees with respect and the dignity they deserve. |
| Name: | Bruce Murphy |
| E-mail address: | epidemik9278@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Good luck guys! |
| Name: | walter |
| E-mail address: | wmesser@ci.fridley.mn.us |
| Comments: | Keep up the fight.. It truely seems like the chief needs to have a reality check and move on.
L1986 |
| Name: | Jim Hahn |
| E-mail address: | kajahahn@bellsouth.net |
| Comments: | keep up the fight brothers. Good luck. |
| Name: | RICHARD E RIDGE |
| E-mail address: | RER126@YAHOO.COM |
| Comments: | WE ARE WITH YOU ALL, SEE YOU IN AUGUST. |
| Name: | G.G. |
| Comments: | As a citizen, taxpayer, and business owner in the city of Clearwater, I can not blame the firefighters for boycotting this city.I will stand behind the firefighters and do what it takes to get rid of Horne and that fire administration.There has been too much of our taxpayers money wasted fighting these hard working men & women.Not to mention the lack of accountability within the upper management.Mayor & council,it was time to intervine years ago,but you let it go on.You need to stop the madness, NOW!! |
| Name: | robert kruger |
| E-mail address: | rob0429@firehousemail.com |
| Comments: | Good luck Brothers |
| Name: | Marvin Davis |
| E-mail address: | mgd368@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Dear brothers and sisters of Clearwater,
Stand strong and be proud! Ocala has your back! Our brothers and sisters are here for you and willing to help anyway possible to relieve your pain! Give us a call.Can't wait to see you in August! With the utmost respect, Marvin Davis Local 2135 |
| Name: | Steve White |
| E-mail address: | TheAmericanfable@aol.com |
| Comments: | It is unbelievable that this kind of thing could happen. My thoughts and prayers are with you guys. I hope the local press really lines up behind you. Good luck from the panhadle. |
| Name: | marc stankiewicz |
| E-mail address: | marcfire48@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | wow, im appauled at the poor leadership of this citys officials, fellow iaff brother local 4413. |
| Name: | Bertram Hogan |
| E-mail address: | violinplyer@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://groups.msn.com/violinplyer |
| Comments: | Some things are hard to understand. For example, why we keep driving vehicles that are so destructive to our environment. Calculus and relativity are two other things that are hard to understand. But today I got up and after taking a look at the local news about a fire here or an auto accident there I realized that for the last eight years our city government has spent time and our hard-earned tax money to battle the very people who work daily to provide an excellent service to the citizens of Clearwater. This battle has been to stop justly earned cost of living raises and to even reduce other benefits. These public servants can only seek recourse through mediation because they are not allowed to strike and I am sure that they would never entertain that thought either. I am speaking of the ongoing battle between our Firefighters and Paramedics and the City Management. If memory serves me correctly it was just in 2002 - 2003 that the contract negotiations with our Firefighters and Paramedics were at Impasse. Well, here we are again. Why can't this issue be resolved without the constant bickering and posturing? Maybe it is NOT just about the money but about some major changes in the language that our Firefighters and Paramedics simply cannot live with. How about it Mr. Horne? Can't these issues be resolved before it cost$$$ the citizen$$$ more money that no one can afford to spend. Just my thought$$$$$$$$$.
p.s. I am sure that the City can "find" the money to settle this contract considering the funds that are "found" for other issues. Didn't the city even budget the funds for raises for my Firefighters and Paramedics? By the way, I do have a copy of the City Budget for 2007-2008. |
| Name: | RCM |
| Comments: | Brothers from the south are hearing your cries. We will support Clearwater Fire anyway we can. Keep the faith alive.............. |
| Name: | ken fisher |
| E-mail address: | kf7539@msn.com |
| Name: | Travis Zaal |
| E-mail address: | thisisrediculous22@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Hang in there and stick together. Your fight is one that you are destined to win. If you send a shirt I will proudly use my back to get your website to the public. I was deeply moved at the display of unity and brotherhood at the FPF convention. I look forward to coming down to support your boot drive with other local's in Northwest Florida. Good luck, not that you should need it!
Travis Zaal Vice President Local 3505 |
| Name: | Frank Greco |
| Comments: | In times like these we need to stand together as Brothers and sisters should.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue |
| Name: | C. Montgomery |
| E-mail address: | nici72205@comcast.net |
| Comments: | As a tax payer, I am absolutely outraged that this is going on! I try to be active in the community and do my part. I do not support how these men and women in uniform are being treated. I am a resident in Clearwater and public servants should not have to go through these hardships. It is a waste of my money and their time. They should be respected for their dedication and effort. God bless all of you and the best of luck!! I am in your corner. |
| Name: | Bradley Kantner |
| E-mail address: | bkantner@bellsouth.net |
| Name: | Chad Barton |
| E-mail address: | chadmo1@bellsouth.net |
| Comments: | From local 2928 Palm Beach Co. Fire Rescue, I'm in total support of your efforts and would like to help. Rescue Lieutenant 47/C. |
| Name: | Jack Gross L-1403 |
| E-mail address: | jg132@aol.com |
| Comments: | I commend your members and the stance they have taken. Your Web site is outstanding, it is well designed and easy to navigate. Money (and not taxpayers money) well spent. Might just drive up to donate in your MDA boots this year. Stay safe. |