Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 9, 1993 TAG: 9306090166
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
So far, the low-key effort - under way for about two weeks - has gathered the names of several hundred residents who support the cause.
A member of the committee contacted Tuesday did not want want to reveal members' names. The member said some of the organizers, who either work for the city or are related to city employees, did not want to be identified because of concern about their or their relative's jobs.
In April, council approved a staffing plan that cut four full-time firefighters' positions, putting three firemen out of work effective Jan. 1, 1994. A fourth firefighter, out on disability, will not be replaced.
Council's action will leave three firefighters plus Chief Calvin "Cabby" Whitt on the paid, full-time Fire Department staff next year. The city hopes to take up the slack by expanding the number of volunteer firefighters from 35 to 50.
"There's a lot of pressure," said a petition drive organizer in requesting anonymity. The individual, a relative of a firefighter not affected by the cuts, said the committee of about a half dozen "firemen and other concerned citizens" came together after several city residents called to ask what they could do to reverse council's action.
"We elect you to serve us" declare the petitions, which the group has distributed to at least three Radford shops, including the Deli Mart and the Pizza House, both on First Street, and R&R Market on Wadsworth Street. A Deli Mart employee said the petitions on hand Tuesday contained "a whole lot of signatures." An employee at R&R Market said the petitions there had been getting "quite a lot" of attention.
The committee also approached individual council members, asking them to explain the reasons behind the cuts.
"I have talked to all council members and have received very contradictory information," said the petition drive organizer, adding that the committee also has given out council members' home telephone numbers for citizens to call.
Councilman David Worrell, a former volunteer firefighter, voted against the cuts in April. He said Tuesday that he and his wife have signed the petitions, which call the cuts "regressive in nature and not in the best interests of the public."
The petitions ask council to "consider its decision to reduce the paid staff at the Fire Department."
The petition drive organizer said council's action was poorly researched and disputed the city's contentions that the move was necessary to save money. "It was not done to balance the budget," the individual said.
Mayor Tom Starnes has said he believes there are enough paid people and volunteers to provide the 24-hour coverage the city wants. In April, he blamed budget constraints for the layoffs, but said he was "not at liberty to say" whether the city administration was looking at similar cuts down the road in other departments.
Whitt said he had no say in the matter. "It was a directive from the city," he said. "I didn't have any choice."
The petition drive organizer said that if the drive can collect thousands of signatures, the committee hopes council will listen.
by CNB