The BIG lie

I went to tonight's council meeting. Actually I've made 4 of the last 5 (I think, they get a little mind numbing.)

I get why my union officers have to play nice with our dictator, I really do, They have to negotiate with him and his cronies. I however am NOT a union officer and I DON'T GOTTA.

Tonight Leighton told a BIG LIE. He said,"The firefighter's union has been very good to the city (We have, that's not the lie), and the city has been very good to the firefighters." WHAT!!!!!
List time!
Since the dictator has assumed what he thinks is a throne, 26 Firefighters have retired. They were replaced with FIVE.

We had 16 firemen per shift, now 11. Don't forget the Lloyds study said 17 is the minimum for public safety. But don't worry the dictator still has the security system that the public bought. AND WHAT THE HELL IS IT MADE OF PLATINUM?!!!

We had 5 engine houses. Gained one, lost 2 and remember that South Station's Engine is only manned about one eighth the time. Oh and before he makes noise about closing it, IT IS THE ONLY FIREHOUSE THAT IS NOT IN THE FLOODPLAIN!!

We got new Engines. That the dictator took credit for them, when it was a generous anonymous donation.

We had 5 Engines and now we have 2 and the part time Engine 3.

He put's our salaries out to the press, but doesn't tell them that the numbers are artificially inflated by judgments that he illegally hid money that was rightfully ours for years (honestly, when he became mayor, if he had asked for this money, We would have given it to him) or that it included overtime THAT HE CREATED by not having enough firefighters to cover the shifts.
He has demonized us at almost every turn and blames anyone else for the mess he has created.

When the mayor was elected he asked all the city unions to help the city financially in their contracts. Only the fire union did (concessions = approx 4.5 million dollars over 9 years). Mayor Leighton said "By making (these) substantial concessions, the firefighters' union has agreed to become partners with the city in its revitalization plan"
We've done OUR part. HE hasn't done his. And now he will risk our lives and yours, because of his pet projects and friends (JJ and the whole $300 an hour). But he thinks we ,the taxpayers, owe him. Proof? Why hasn't he payed us back for the security system? Why hasn't he taken a pay cut? He's the fourth highest salaried mayor in the state. And that doesn't include the fuel he helped himself to.

Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote