THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 23, 1996 TAG: 9606220103
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 263 lines
Insulting charges
As a 10-year veteran of the Chesapeake Fire Department, I have sat idly by during the last several weeks while some citizens play ``armchair fire chief'' with the tragedy that we experienced in March. I have yet to recognize any of the names of the people who wrote the scathing editorials, as members or relations of my fire department family. I, therefore, discount their opinions and attribute their negativity to ignorance.
Allow me to enlighten the citizens of this city with the facts.
The fire marshal's investigative report that has been labeled ``bogus'' and one that lacks merit was prepared by a team of local and state fire investigators, city inspectors and the fire marshal. This team thoroughly and methodically gathered and evaluated all the evidence and submitted their findings to the fire marshal. The fire marshal then reviewed all evidence and findings and constructed his investigative report. To challenge the integrity of this document is to insult the fire marshal, the fire investigators and the city inspectors who assisted him in gathering and coordinating the information needed.
The report accurately recounts the tragic events that began at 11:27 a.m. on Monday, March 18. It did not point a finger of blame at a specific person or agency because to do that would have been unjust. The simple facts of this case are a combination of unforeseen events caused us to lose Johnnie and Frank. The only question left in my mind is why are people still trying to blame instead of heal?
Patricia D. Chappell
Vantosa Drive
A wife's defense
I am the wife of a Chesapeake firefighter. In his heart and soul, he is first and foremost a firefighter. He also happens to be a man of integrity who takes a great deal of pride in his profession. After 26 years of service to this city, it seems the current Firefighters Union leaders consider him to be ``outside the brotherhood'' and even their enemy. Why? Because he is currently a division chief, working in Chesapeake fire administration.
We have all read the newspapers and watched the media coverage of the horrid fire that killed Frank Young and John Hudgins. Everyone with an ounce of feeling was heart-broken. Well, contrary to what the Firefighters Union would have you believe, the men and women in fire administration were heart-broken also. Hundreds of extra hours were given by the same fire administration the Firefighters Union now so callously berates. They worked practically non-stop to organize and executive the monumental tasks that fell to them. The miles of paperwork and planning it took to accomplish this did not just happen, nor did their daily responsibilities disappear. For the record, chiefs in the Chesapeake Fire Department do not receive overtime pay or compensatory time, regardless of how many hours they work. Their time and effort came from their hearts.
Since March 18, fire administration has been publicly accused of everything from ``not even caring'' to ``only trying to cover their own butts.'' Fire administration's credibility has been questioned and their reputations sullied by the current Firefighters Union leaders. Do not be fooled. The firefighters Union has its own agenda, and it has nothing to do with firefighter safety. It is a personal vendetta against Chief Michael L. Bolac, hidden in union propaganda. For the Firefighters Union to use firefighter fatalities in this manner is very sad.
If the leaders of the Firefighters Union care about improving the working conditions for firefighters, why aren't they directing their energies to the citizens of this city instead of trying to use this tragedy to have Chief Bolac fired? It is the citizens who ultimately decide how our tax dollars are spent, and this is a time of unparalleled citizen support. The citizens of Chesapeake rallied behind our firefighters with an unprecedented show of support, sincere grief and even their own monetary contributions to help the children of our fallen heroes. The Firefighters Union leaders should be using these deaths as tragic examples to the citizens of Chesapeake, of how very dangerous a career in public safety is. These fatalities show how even the most routine call can turn into a tragedy in the blink of an eye. The citizens of Chesapeake must show the City Council that they support funding, additional personnel and equipment and improve firefighter safety. Sadly, this is not the way the Firefighters Union leaders chose to handle this tragedy. It seems all they care about is getting the fire chief fired, and they don't care who they trample in the process.
As fire marshal, it was my husband's job to investigate this fire and report his findings. As a firefighter, he felt it was his obligation to fellow firefighters to find the truth and make it public, regardless of the outcome. His own moral code made it paramount that the report be factual, so if anyone's perceptions were that any action taken on this fire scene might be handled in a different way, it would be discussed for the benefit and safety of other firefighters. He has always known that Chesapeake's fatalities would be used as a learning tool for other firefighters. All firefighter fatality reports are dissected and studied, so that possibly other firefighters may learn from them and not suffer the same fate. He also found rather quickly that the Firefighters Union leaders would not like the facts of this fire because the facts don't play to their agenda.
My husband has been warned that he is being made ``a scapegoat for Chief Bolac.'' This statement is asinine. But for the record, there is no one in fire administration in need of a scapegoat. My husband and his staff put much thought and many hours into this investigation and report and he stands proudly by them. The investigation by the national research organization (NIOSH), called for by the Firefighters Union leaders, confirms the fire marshal's report and places no blame on Chief Bolac. I was dumbstruck when I saw union leaders on television waving this report as a reason for Chief Bolac to resign. If it wasn't so sad, it could be laughable.
The cheap shots that the Firefighters Union has taken at the fire chief and his administrative staff are not only unfair and hurtful, many of their statements are simply not true. Whether Chief Bolac stays in Chesapeake or leaves is not the point. Any other fire chief in Chief Bolac's position, will eventually have to say no to a union demand and he will also be second-guessed on most of his decisions by those who think that they could do a better job. I say that if anyone thinks that they can do a better job, start studying. Work your way through all the promotions and educational requirements and one day you may be the fire chief.
The damage done by the current Firefighters Union leaders cannot be undone. They can't take back their hateful words or the added burden they placed on the Hudgins and Young families by constantly insinuating that something could have been done to save their loved ones and that fire administration just simply didn't care about them. How very dishonest and cruel that was. I realize that this Firefighters Union does not represent all or even most of Chesapeake's firefighters, but the ones it does should seriously re-think their choice of representatives. Your current leaders don't do firefighters proud. Yes, I am offended by the very public attacks on my husband's honor and credibility by people who don't even know him. And, yes, I blame the Firefighters Union leaders for all of the misinformation being bandied about so carelessly. The character assassination they are trying to perpetrate on Chief Bolac and his administrative staff is contemptible.
To Allison Hudgins, I would like to say how sorry I am that you have been subjected to any additional pain and sorrow by anyone's attempt to infer that your husband's death was anything other than a horrible, work-related accident. I'm sure you are experiencing the greatest personal tragedy of your life and all the while having to share your grief with strangers. I can only imagine how bitter-sweet your baby's birth must have been for you without your husband at your side. Through all this, you have displayed a remarkably calm acceptance of this tragedy, with so much grace and serenity. Your behavior is an example to us all. You have done yourself, your children and your husband proud. Please know that based on the facts, my husband truly believes that nothing could have saved John and Frank that day. Having better radios and more men would not have mattered in this fire. There were just too many other circumstances standing in the way. In no way am I saying that our fire department shouldn't have these improvements. They certainly could be the difference at some other fire, when other lives are at stake. All of the firefighters deserve the best equipment and enough personnel to make them as safe as possible in this very dangerous job. Every year, for the eight years that my husband has been in fire administration, chief Bolac's budget has requested more personnel and more money. In my mind, Chief Bolac's refusal to second-guess any of your husband's or Firefighter Young's decisions on the fire scene was never about misplaced loyalty, as it said in the newspapers. But, to me, it speaks volumes about Chief Bolac's own firefighting experience and his respect for John's and Frank's firefighting capabilities.
The firefighters in fire administration are not the enemy. They have more than 100 years of experience among them, so they aren't rookies either. They all have advanced through the ranks and experienced as much as any other firefighter in this city.
The Firefighters Union does not command Chesapeake's Fire Department. Chief Bolac does, within the constraints set up by the city manager and City Council. We all have to survive this tragedy and continue to push forward. I don't know how it will be accomplished unless everyone is willing to work together. I do know that the pride and happiness I used to see in my husband's face as he left for work is gone. Now, all i see is fatigue, stress and sadness that such a tragedy is being used to divide, rather than unite.
Susan S. Cooke
Martin Johnson Road
Misplaced priorities
Councilman John W. Butt believes it's ridiculous to spend $105,000 to provide drinking water to thousands of Chesapeake citizens.
He doesn't think that spending $90,000 to benefit nine Chesapeake city councilmen is ridiculous. He voted for the raise.
Once again, Mr. Butt shows where his priorities lie.
Thomas E. Violet
Beauregard Drive
Keep cats safe
Residents of the neighborhoods bordering Waters Road in Great Bridge have been subjected to kittens and cats running across Waters Road at all hours of the day and night. We have seen many that did not make it across the street and we can remember one instance of the remains of several kittens in the road.
As a cat lover and owner, I am pleading with the owners of these cats to please keep them confined. It is unfair to the cats and the drivers to have them run loose and take the chance of being struck by a car. Waters Road is a heavily traveled road, and it only takes a second for tragedy to strike, as I found out recently.
Chesapeake has an at-large ordinance dealing with cats and dogs, which states no animal is to be off their property unless they are in voice control by their owners. Therefore, please treat your animals as valued pets and protect them from harm.
Sherry Scott
N. Haven Circle
Get rid of ditches
The ditches that have been dug recently in Norfolk Highlands are an eyesore.
Whose bright idea was this? Is this the way to spend our tax money? Wouldn't it have been better to put a traffic light at Rokeby and Providence or Rokeby and Military Highway by the fire station?
I'm afraid to back out of our driveway for fear of going into the ditch. With all this rain we've had, I haven't seen any rainwater standing in the yards, but it sure is in the ditches. Mosquitoes, anyone?
Doesn't anyone care about small children? We have a few in the neighborhood, and the ditches are like magnets to them. Water in the ditch or not, the kids are drawn to them. What's it going to take - a major injury or worse?
Get rid of the ditches.
Phyllis Belcher
Hawthorne Drive
Do no evil
Remember that primate statue of three wise monkeys - see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil? The lesson to be learned is do no evil.
By a vote of five to four, our City Council gave themselves a $10,000 raise. This was the maximum limit recently set by the General Assembly. The mayor's salary will be $25,000 and each council member's salary will be $23,000. The incoming, inexperienced council members will inherit this raise in July. (As a point of reference, the following beginning salaries are cited: teacher $26,459; policeman, $21,000; firefighter and deputy trainee, $20,678).
Serving on the City Council is considered a part-time job. Many of you work full-time jobs for that annual pay. Many of you work two jobs to keep from going on welfare and collecting food stamps.
My questions were: What other ``perks'' do part-time council members get? Health benefits, travel allowance, retirement plans? Will the four who voted against the raise still accept the money? Shouldn't potential council members have some certification or qualifications that deem them capable of running a large metropolis?
The following answers were most graciously provided by the city clerk, Dolores A. Moore:
The salary limit is set by the General Assembly, and it is based on growth (city population).
Council members can take advantage of the state requirement program and health benefit package, just as any other city employee.
Mileage reimbursement is not provided if travel is within the Hampton Roads area. Out of Hampton Roads, members are encouraged to use city vehicles.
The four who voted against the raise will make their own decisions.
Candidates for elected office have their qualifications printed in the newspaper. The people decide who is qualified.
The bottom line is the bottom line above!
Thirty-three out of 100 registered voters actually voted in the May election for the City Council and the School Board. That means 67 people out of every 100 could care less who makes their life decisions. If you're one of the 33, congratulations! The other 67 might like to chip in and buy nine small replicas of the ``three wise monkeys'' statue. You'll eventually figure out who to give them to.
Betsy Patterson
Benefit Road
Keep playing ball
I am writing to you in regard to an article I read in the June 14 paper. It is about LaToya D. Crocker and her love of softball, as well as her desire to continue playing.
One of her main concerns, according to the article, is that she will have to give up playing while in the Army. I just wanted her to know that isn't true.
I am an Army wife who also loves softball. After having three children I wanted something challenging and competitive to help me get back into shape. And what better sport than softball? Through my husband's unit in Hawaii we formed a women's team and played in a league competing against others who shared our passion.
Since LaToya would not be assigned to a combat unit, there should be no problem for her to continue to play the sport she loves. She would probably want to check if her unit has a team. If not, she should check with the sports office on post or with the B.O.S.S. (Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers) program organizers.
The B.O.S.S. program plans a lot of sporting events, as well as other activities. LaToya, I'm sure, will find that being in the Army will be what she makes of it.
I wish the best of luck in all that she does in the future. And, LaToya, keep playing ball!
Andrea M. Mannon
Lilac Avenue by CNB