Fire Merit Board Passes Committee 7-2
Posted by Jeff Pruitt - 7/16/08 @ 8:02 am - Filed Under City Council, Featured
The firefighters’ preferred merit board ordinance was given a Do Pass recommendation during the city council’s committee session last night by a 7-2 vote. I was somewhat surprised to see councilman Tim Pape vote against the administration and for the ordinance. Although in today’s JG he says that if the mayor vetoes the ordinance then he might change his vote.
The council would only need 6 votes to override a mayoral veto and that seems likely with councilman John Shoaff voting for the ordinance as well.
The fire chief spoke against the ordinance basically saying that the system wasn’t broke so there was no need to fix it. The administration seems to think that somehow the mayor’s authority is being usurped but, as Karen Goldner said, the mayor would still have 3 appointments to the 5 person board and thus would still maintain de facto control.
What was agreed on by all was that this issue has lingered far too long and it was simply time to vote and move on. Under council rules the ordinance will now be moved to next week’s regular session where it will be up for final vote.
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4 Responses to “Fire Merit Board Passes Committee 7-2”
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The firefighters supported then city-councilman Tom Henry for all of his 20 years on city council.
Tom Henry spoke before every election and before recieving the firefighters support, sometimes financially and everytime with manpower help of how he was for the firefighters merit ordinance.
The police officers have had a merit system for 30 years, the firefighters never.
Yes it is time to simply vote and move on.
R.D. Sr.
Rick,
He’s your drinking “BUD”,you should know! He won’t do a thing for the firefighters, he’s got the job you wanted him too have. He won’t need your help for another 4 years.
Dan,
Tom and I have been friends for over 25 years, nearly as long as you and I have. Friends disagree, you and I supported different people for mayor. Your guy had that little legal matter. That is just the way it is. My political affiliation is not a secret to anyone that knows me,that has not changed. How the firefighters do in the next 4 years is yet to be decided. I would advise Tom to be fair and honest in each matter concerning the firefighters, that would serve he and every elected offical in the city well.
Tom and Cindy are good friends,as is the rest of the family.
R.D. Sr.
Dan,
Since you wrote in a letter to the Editor that you are a life-long Democrat, I would think you would be happy that Tom Henry is Mayor….