THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 2, 1996 TAG: 9605310246
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 144 lines
On Monday morning, while we were preparing for our Memorial Day cookout, little did I know my 8-year-old granddaughter, Heather Smith, was thinking about the meaning of the holiday. But the words she wrote seemed to sum it up for all of us:
``Memorial Day is not just a day or two off of school. It's a day to stop and think of those who gave their lives for us.
``Frank Young was one and John Hudgins is two.
``I'm having a cookout today, and we are inviting our good friends.
``Remember the red, white and blue.''
Catherine Lee
Kensington Way Fire chief ineffective
I have been following along with the City Council work sessions involving the Chesapeake Fire Department budget. On May 9, I listened with interest to the comments that the fire chief was making.
No one has yet to mention the well-being and physical condition of these firemen in hazardous conditions. It doesn't matter apparently that the temperature outside is in the 90s and the firemen are dressed in heavy coats and pants, and under those conditions alone they will only last a few minutes with no relief, or its subfreezing and they are numb with cold. The only thing the chief and council were concerned with was whether they could meet the two-men-in-two-men-out rule.
He and the City Council apparently did not listen or read the information that one of the speakers made in her presentation at the public hearing. She gave information on the exhaustion levels and times it took to do the same job with different size fire crews. I have yet to hear the chief say that those guys need some help, only that we can't continue to do what we have been doing and meet the so-called two-man-in-two-man-out rule.
The fire chief made reference to Richmond and Norfolk being the only fire departments that have four firemen on their trucks. He should have looked closer in his own home town. All the Naval Bases operate with no less than four firemen on each truck. His inference, in my opinion, was if they are not doing it, then why should we do it? If that's the case, why is Chesapeake still using ``Dixie Cup'' communications and all other cities are using the latest technology? His argument does not have any merit.
The Chesapeake Fire Department management team appears to be ineffective in doing what's right. However, they are very effective in confusing City Council and pulling the wool over their eyes.
I agree with Charlotte Guilbert, who wrote a letter to the editor of The Clipper on May 19. In her article she states ``Maybe the City Council should consider looking for a new fire chief.''
I would add one thing to her statement. I would include the city manager also for not firing the fire chief for disregard of safety.
Barbara Matthews
Kingston Way Taking responsibility
In response to Cora Madden's letter entitled ``Ill-Advised Comment'' (The Clipper, May 26):
I wonder why Ms. Madden considers me ill-advised to speak out regarding a matter such as the safety of our public servants. This issue should be given every consideration after the recent tragedy which occurred in this city.
First let me say to Ms. Madden that I do indeed spend each and every day of my life in the ``life of a firefighter.'' One of my very close family members is a Chesapeake firefighter, and I witnessed first-hand the devastating effects that the recent tragedy had on him and on his family.
I hope my grandchildren never have to face the heartbreak of losing their Daddy because our city leaders cannot take the initiative and do everything that can be done to safeguard these men and women who so unselfishly devote themselves to saving lives and property.
In all positions of leadership, the person at the top must make the decision. If it is the right decision, everyone cheers. But if that decision is wrong, it is very lonely in that top position. Someone has to be responsible. In this case, someone has to reach a decision that will make the jobs of these firefighters safer. This should include immediate implementation of all federal regulations and guidelines concerning this profession.
In my original letter, which was published on May 19 in The Clipper, I stated that I felt it to be backward when City Council had to do the fire chief's job. I reaffirm that statement. How long will the leaders of the city of Chesapeake wait before something concrete is done to resolve an obvious problem. Hopefully more lives will not be the price to be paid.
Charlotte Guilbert
Livingston Avenue
Jpcgferry(a)aol.com More questions
On May 17, two letters to the editor addressed concerns felt by citizens of Chesapeake: ``Why were the lives of two firefighters lost?'' We may never have a 100 percent answer. No doubt construction of the building and an antiquated communications system are contributing factors. But what about the leadership in the fire department, specifically Chief Michael L. Bolac?
During the City Council session on March 19, several citizens voiced their concerns relating to the fire department. Of these speakers, two indicated the people of Chesapeake have been lulled into a false sense of security regarding the level of service the Chesapeake Fire Department can provide. Two indicated a gross level of poor management when there exists a ``cover my butt'' mentality and employees are afraid to express their concerns because of a fear of retaliation.
The president of the Virginia firefighters union has raised the question of accountability. Certainly the captain is responsible for his crew and ship. The general is responsible for his troops. The fire chief is responsible for firefighters regarding their morale and safety. There seems to be a lack of regard for both.
We may never have an answer as to why these two men lost their lives, but obviously there are many more questions to be asked.
Betty J. Coburn
Broadnax Circle Low-cost water
For Councilman John W. Butt to say the $102,000 cost of new wells is a ridiculous amount to pay for potable water is an asinine and uncaring statement.
For years, lots of people in Chesapeake have had to pay twice for water: their regular water bill and bottled water to drink and cook and feed their pets. We watched expensive appliances rust away.
The cost is low. Depending on construction, security and safety, the risk would be minimal.
Mr. Butt either doesn't have to drink this water or he is indifferent about it.
I, for one, will vote my opinion about him at the next general election.
Thomas E. Violet
Beauregard Drive Sour grapes
The letter to the editor on April 28 entitled ``Claims Disputed'' by Nettie Bailey was sour grapes. Ms. Bailey wrote the letter after she was disapproved as editor of the Camelot community newspaper.
Ms. Bailey liked to form committees outside of the civic league, which is against the civic league constitution and by-laws. She really needs to learn how to work within the structural outline.
I realize that in a community of this size and magnitude, there will be differences of opinion. But, in my opinion, Ms. Bailey works far too hard trying to impress a political party than to do positive things for her community. To stress a political ticket solely on the basis of party affiliation is not in the best interest of our community.
The bottom line is that Ms. Bailey is highly upset because she could not totally deliver her party in the May 7 election.
There are novel ideas among the current civic league officers, who have a massive work ethic. The efforts of those officers along with community support will guarantee progress for a fine community based on what is right.
Vernon Johnson
Sean Drive by CNB