Mayoral Quotes

"The new station will cover the north end of the city. Headquarters will cover center City and the other station will take care of the south. In turn, the residents of the city and firefighters who protect us will be safer and better equipped" & "I would love to have a fire station in every neighborhood but you have to remember, this is neglect of the past"
June 8, 2005. Whos neglect is it now? (WNEP)

March 13, 2006 about 2 simultaneous fires "I must emphasize that with their help, and the professionalism of our fire department we're able to save the entire block both on Carey Avenue and South Welles Street." What would happen now? (WNEP)

Oct 27, 2008 "With the location of three city fire houses - Hollenback at the city's north end, headquarters near center city and the Parrish and High Street station on the city's southern border - the department can respond promptly to all calls" So he was already aware that there will be delays with only 2 Engines! (The Times Leader)

Oct 5 2004 "I would never, never gamble with the safety of residents visitors or guests," (WNEP)

May 31, 2008 "just how important the safety of each firefighter was to me." & "I have great respect for the fire department. They do a great job and their safety is my number one concern" (The Citizens' Voice)

July 8 (WNEP) "It's very crucial that the fire department have adequate water pressure when they're fighting a fire so, we don't want to see any lives lost because water couldn't get on the fire"
But lives lost due to inadequate manning and cutting engines are OK?


Oct 26, 2007 (The Time Leader) "we need to protect our residents"
Reducing essential services is not protecting our residents


April 3 2010 (Citizens' voice) "As an elected official, you're sworn in to uphold an oath of office"

Mar 12, 2010 (Citizens' voice) "You left me with no choice, I'm not failing you, the city administration is not failing you and city council is not failing you. Your union is failing you."
Wrong, the union cannot replace people as they retire that is your responsibility and you are failing the public you took an oath to serve and protect.
22 Firefighters have retired without replacement, in the next 2 months that number is expected to be at least 25. And you blame our union instead of fixing the problem by hiring. Can you take responsibility for your bad decisions? Just once?

When too much power is concentrated in one person, the government loses touch with the citizens they are there to serve.