oh yea, that makes sense. we (taxpayers of coventry) wouldn't want to get stuck with a bill from CCFD (who serves the taxpayers of coventry) for fuel. so we choose to have no fire coverage in fear that we will screw ourselves on a bill. you just cant make this stuff up. Cote, your fired.

There are many citizens that would volunteer, the union should be eliminated and the providers can be interns, volunteers and at will contracted employees working with core employees. Get a contract to have the diesel delivered to the trucks.There is no reason core CCFD employees will not be compensated very well and within the current budget. The CCFD core employees will be held liable and accountable for the performance of the station.

I want to thank all of the firefighters for continuing in their jobs without pay. However, I would like to know how they got into this position, especially since last year after re-evaluation we were all taxed on the value of our homes using a value that no longer existed. I know I paid a LOT more than I would have if my home was taxed at what it was assessed and so did everyone in this district. Why have there been no fundraisers of any kind to raise the money they need? We all need answers.

Gary Cote screw, your fire district has the highest tax rate and for what 12 emploeeyes

marge, your tax rate is set off the budget so if they used the new lower evaluations then the rate per thousand would have been higher. however, some of us got more correct valuations this time around so some would be paying a little more and some a little less. the CCFD was just too lazy to run the numbers off the new valuations. we should have white glove service for what we are paying.

How about the town re-allocates some tax funds to fix this? I'm all set paying for anything I don't receive a service or goods for.

This is KARMA as the Old Fire Chief jumps ship months ago to ruin another city the Firefighter of Central Coventry (that at one time were all Volunteers) are asked to Volunteer again! Maybe the shouldn't have forced out the volunteers so soon! And maybe President/Captain Gorman can pay his taxes!

The community for which Central Coventry services should thank god that the firefighters have a heart and a conscience. You should praise these people for putting you before there bills me own needs. They are a very special group. Central Coventry firefighters, you should be very proud of yourself for making the best decision for your community.

Maybe this will eliminate the fire tax bill and put it where it belongs, in our property taxes. The fire districts will be put on a budget for the town to oversee. No more private budgets and tactics.

Lets just pray for an expeditious resolution that is fair to the firefighters and the taxpayers without jeopardizing public safety.
I am hoping all parties involved recognize sacrifices will be necessary and we trust the receiver will balance the needs of all that have a stake in a solution.

Richard I couldn't agree more ..!

Alot of anger ,and emontion running wild on all the post ,lets hope cooler heads prefail .

@Coventry parent its best to keep the billings separate. Think about the Muni budget. It the schools had to send out their own tax bills we would have transparency. The problem with ccfd is mismanagement and unrealistic salary/benefits coupled with minimum manning compounded by OT and equipment purchases

The plan was flawed from the start. This is not cranston or warwick or providence. the ccff union needs to realize they can grow all the moustaches the want we are a small town dept and they are not nyfd

Fred, why dont you actually surprise yourself and read or do a little research before you quote figures and numbers about what the guys get paid. They are not making that much like you would want everyone else to believe. The problem remains with the board and proabably missing funds. I commend the CCFD men and women who stepped up for the safety of the public.

52 members @ 60k/week that was on the news.

And agreeing to work at last years$ is no great favor. They are backed into the corner just like the unions back the tax payers into a corner every year. They really have no choice.

I think the tax payers that have been listening to all Asselones lies should look at the bigger picture. He is the reason all of this is happening. Why wouldn't he also go after Western? Hopkins Hill? Why just Central? He doesn't care about anything but stirring up crap and making lies to get all the trailer parks to agree with him. The bills would have only gone up about $40 total. NOT TRIPLE! But he doesn't care. He goes home to his 2.5 million dollar mansion in Snug Harbour.

Why would assalone go after any district except the one he own property in? The bottom line here is the district has lacked financial oversight and has been running in tax and spend overdrive.
What bank in its right mind would cut off funding to a district that had sound financial practices in place? The answer is none and that is the point. I was at the last 4 meetings, and asking us to blindly approve a spending plan without knowing the cost is lunacy. Would you purchase a new car without asking how much and what the payment is. Some of the comments on here prove the members of your union have either no clue or just think they are entitled.

The fire departments were just merged.......and they added MORE firefighters??? Who's in the union's pocket???

Why is everything about the unions? The Union had nothing to do with the financial situation of the district. It is the (non union) Chief of the dept. and the council that dictate what they spend there money on and how they spend it. Seems to me like this is just open season for want-to-be volunteer firefighters and anti union right wing extremest. Instead of everyone bitching on here why don't you try to come up with a solution so these poor guys can get back to work and continue to provide for there family.

So the people ask questions and for some accountability and the response is receivership. Sounds like it was a good thing questions and accountability was sought as there is something terrible amiss in all of this. Why not address the people's concerns regardless of why or whom started asking them instead of the defensiveness .... after all it is the taxpayer's money that is paying for the fire / rescue service. Well maybe this current state will be the 'push come to shove' moment that will bring all of the answers to the surface.

Hey Jared, aren't you the guy at NE Amb a few years back who was all about being a full time union guy somewhere and couldn't get hired? The one who got his head split at a bar fight and then hid under a table? Yeah, that's probably the same guy. Here's a little tip for you, if you are going to start calling people out including the "want-to-be volunteer firefighters" (also known as the guys who made that the department even possible) you should probably learn who to write correctly. Remember, grammar is the difference between knowing your $hit and knowing you're $shit.

Something to remember, the crews have accepted to stay on duty during even without pay but I'll bet they'll want their pay/benefits to continue to accrue in arrears so they get paid when the situation normalizes. Let's not forget that if the career guys walk out they can very easily lose their precious jobs so right now, this is all about self preservation.
I will also bet that if a number of experienced, certified (NFPA level I/II, EMT-C, Haz-Mat, NFPA 1002, etc.) individuals showed up and offered to volunteer at the station(s) and staff the apparatus you would see how quickly the (un)paid staff would block them. Even if they let them in, they would create such a hostile environment it would defeat the whole faux-premise of service to community.

After much thought about how to word this response and seeing how this is affecting the whole town I will now make my statement. I am the one who shouted out" I hope you don't need an ambulance any time soon!!!" Let this be known.. I am not a firefighter or a firefighters wife. I am just a taxpayer like the rest of you. I have lived in this town 55 years and have seen things and have heard things that you the residents with the bad attitudes could not even begin to know about. If we went back to a volunteer status....you would have people possibly dying as they waited for help. The accident yesterday on Plainfield Pike proves that. If anyone was keeping track it took 40 minutes for Foster FD to get to the accident scene. You could physically drive there yourself in 10 minutes. But because they are on a volunteer status and had to wait for the station to be staffed this is the problem with volunteer staffing. I am not bashing them for this as it is what it is. The residents in this town should understand that the tax rate would have gone up 14 cents... 14 cents... now I really hope that you residents who are bashing CCFD for the pay they receive won't forget that the man who started all this resentment among the taxpayers and the CCFD doesn't even live here in this town!!!!! Oh and by the way... all of you firefighters from Hopkins Hill should grow a set and use your real names!!!

Serviceoverself, Than obviously a person that you are describing must still live with Mom? How can one afford to work for free and still have the American dream of Home ownership and raising Children. Why did you not get on a paid Dept? Criminal backround maybe?

Wickchevy and Ja-rod...what makes you think I'm NOT on a career department? What, because I don't pass out the cool-aid like some of my "Brothers" do every chance they get? Here's the difference between us: I haven't forgotten where I came from and where I'm going. My department's budget is safe/sound, we're funded, we're operating and my direct deposit hits right on time, every time.
Ja-rod, I never worked at the privates but your name was well known to everyone on shift and gave us many a laugh, buddy. You kind of fell off the radar for a little bit but it's great you made us all smile again.
wickchevy-Obviously all volunteers must live at home with mom and dad huh? None can afford to be homeowners, right? They can't afford cars, kids, education, etc. Only the career guys? Volunteers? They're all broke losers who can't get hired anywhere and are all just bitter. Is that what you are suggesting? Because, if that is what you really believe you need to do a little more research on the volunteer fire service in the state, the region and the country. But hey, here's a little fun fact for you: CCFD isn't a volunteer department (anymore) and they're broke. Potentially about to lose their paychecks and financial security. Ironic, isn't it? Hopefully though, that can be avoided because it's not fair that the innocent ones should have to pay for the poor decisions of those who came before them. They don't deserve it and neither do their families.

Good point CCFD taxpayer.....lets not forget yesterday on Plainfield pike where it took volunteers in western coventry 10-12 minutes to respond ....the cops responding from the police station got there before wcfd and had to call for help for a kid with a head injury who now might not make it.....numerous times these CCFD guys are bailing out wcfd ....including my cousin.....I know this cause I bought a scanner for my dad who is a former volunteer in eg so he likes to listen to it....and he has explained a lot....I work at eb and do side jobs to raise my family....I live in central cov and don't mind paying my $500 fire tax bill knowing I'm getting great service because they've given it to my father.....u start putting volunteers and something happens to my family there will b a lawsuit....my name is tom marko...my wife's father who I call dad owns our house...which will soon be my wife's....my wife or my dads name doesn't need to b mentioned....but your right mr. Lussier ...if people are making accusations .....like service has he should stop being a coward and put his name up....but your right I think it's one of the volunteers from Hopkins hill where I will never live cause I don't want high school kids and midgets coming to my house if its on fire like I saw when I was at KFC couple yrs ago

Still hiding behind your screen name I see. To be honest I'm not sure if I should be flattered or scared that you remember something, (not correctly) that happened to me 11 years ago, yet I have no idea who you are. I am also a little confused as to what this has to do with the CCFD filing for receivership? You state you don't, "drink the cool-aid." I'm not sure what that means, but don't think this situation is a joke. I feel bad for the poor fireman that are not going to be getting a paycheck. You know, the "union thugs" that stood out in the street to collect money for the MDA. I have said it before and I will say it again, when did the firefighters become the bad guys? The district agreed to all the union contracts. The taxpayers voted in the people on the board. The taxpayers are welcome to every meeting.

Why can't we all just take it for what the situation is. A merger was made in hopes of giving more service for the same price, this ideal has failed. It's not a volunteers or career guys fault, this town is just too small (call & tax base wise) to support a full-time department without any "free" help. What good is a station with 2 apparatus with only 2 guys to man them? For a rescue, it's ok, but even a fire truck should more than 2 guys on it. What can you really do when you pull up to my house on fire, wait for the other trucks to get there. I'd rather bank my money on the chance of the 2 paid guys with 1 or 2 volunteers showing up with them than just 2 people! Everyone loves to bash each other, but almost all of these guys started off as vollies. It does suck to not get paid and get no appreciation for the job we all do. Let the replies fly

Do you work for FREE ? end of story ..........

On top of the property taxes I pay- where does the $375 a year fire tax go? That is from every household in Coventry. I am not sure what a business or multi-family pay but it does seem absurd that that amount can not cover expenses.

In reading above comments I find it absurd to blame the firefighters of CCFD to blame especially when one of them qualifies for food stamps.....service your just an idiot.... Asking people to risk their lives....cops included you need to pay them....you start taking benefits away you'll get the bottom of the barrel....and that's when I move away.....I'm a non union member but support them cause I see throughout the country these towns are doing to cops FFs making them work for minimum wage... That's ludicrous....I sleep we'll at night knowing cpd and CCFD keep me and my family safe...if it means paying $60 more so be it....this country should be ashamed of themselves the way they poop on police and ff's.....if the politicians made there pension payments we the state and towns wouldn't be in this mess .....blame them.... Obviously your not a paid ff service cause you wouldn't be saying this non sense... So your obviously a disgruntled volunteer who couldn't pass the test....so your either form western or hh....and it must be hh cause you didn't really defend the response time of western to that car crash... So you must be from hh... I feel bad for the paid guys who have to listen to your poop....or wait you just sit in the corner and suck your thumb

Ohh so 401k is the answer???? Funny I lost most of my retirement in the 401 k and that was at a low risk.....as did my wife's dad ...that's why we live w him.....so come up w another brilliant idea.....high wages ???? One of them just qualified for food stamps so how is that possible

So why would Dave Gorman say he has members that are 2 months behind on mortgages. All members are paid thru Oct 5th. please read the facts:

Not only was Baynes turned down for additional borrowing, but the district's existing line of credit was seized - funding that would have been used to pay employees for several more weeks. CCFD employees received their last paychecks on Friday, Oct. 5 and as of that date, the district is out of money to continue issuing paychecks.

"I have several members who are already two months past due on their mortgages, I have several others who are a month or so behind on other bills," said Captain and union president Dave Gorman.

Come on, we didn't just collectively fall off the turnip truck. You are trying to drum up sympathy for your members.
The way i see it if they have been paid on Oct 5th how is it possible your members are 2 months late on paying their mortgages.

It doesn't add up, like a lot of things in central Coventry.

Eb so you lost or nearly lost your 401K but you in favor of increasing your own tax bill to secure a defined retirement plan for the CCFD. Why not pay a little less in taxes and what you save you can put toward your own Racct. The CCFD should get social security and a 401k like the rest of us. paying a 45-50 year old retiree for an additional 25 in most cases while they take another job and work on pension #2 in unfair to you and me. Thats not how the system was intended to work. If the best of the best chooses not to work in CCFD then so be it. When you become a home owner and the tax bill is in your name you may see things differently

Jay...I pay all the taxes on my wife's fathers house...we live in it as we'll as the last. 5 yrs left of mortgage payments...I pay all the bills because his 401 k failed .....and his dumb ass company a Fortune 500 company didn't pay into it social security now he's left with a small retirement... Which is why we live with him....my fire taxes haven't gone
up in 2 years....of course jay I don't want my taxes to go up....but it means 4 well trained guys take care of my wife and kids ill pay the $60 bucks extra we need to paid.....and it took 4 guys from CCFD working on my wife's dad when he almost died from congestive heart failure....his doc said another 5 min he was dead... So I think someone's life is more important than $60 added to my fire tax....if you don't think your loved ones life isn't worth that ....then I feel bad for your family

Jay I am interested in this audit to see why we are where we are

We blame the FFs for their benefits...how bout the politicians who are in their seat for 2-6 years and then collect a pension and free medical.....they don't risk their lives now do they nor pay into the pension for 25 yrs like FFs and cops do

Eb you talk about workers risking their lives and you have a point. Here's something for you to consider: a US Army infantryman risks his life a lot more often than a CCFD firefighter yet gets paid a lot less and gets a much worse benefit package. Yet, they'll come home and get nailed with taxes to keep the men and women of CCFD paid by far more than they ever did. Chew on that a bit.

Service....look up Scranton pa...that's where cops teachers and FFs salarys were cut to minimum wage....as for my typing I could give a care about spell check it gets the point across...as far as having the balls showing up to calls...try being in the dessert where there are terrorists want you dead....yes that was me...showing up 2 a fire although very dangerous is not like serving over in the Middle East....and I could of easily been a cop or firefighter if I wanted to....I know w/o ot they make 50 k if they are lucky....yes I make 70 k because I went and got my masters and I knew this would happen with the economy....and I know how much this country I loved to serve treats its military cops and ff like shit....and fidelity was my financial advisory co.....and I seem to recall everyone the past 5 years have lost thousands on Wall Street.....anything else ..... I'm surprised your head fits thru doorways ...you think your hung Jo volunteer firewoman

I would take the guys at CCFD over you any day service

Eb as a fellow vet I feel your pain, but son you got to get a grip on the reality of what has transpired here. We are all to blame tfor the sorry state of affairs at ccfd. There are going to be some concessions on the labor side moving forward. What the ff fail to realise is we as taxpayers give concessions every year in the form of a tax increase. It is a concession negotiated by the union and the board. In this case the ccfd board that failed the taxpayers and the union alike. Pigs get slaughtered son. The lesson here is don't be a pig

have a good night.....service hope to c u at the budget meeting....my guess you don't even live in central...nighty night

Fred I agree we can't go on this way....I just don't want these firefighters getting blamed or crapped on like this assalone guy has been doing....lets not forget blue cross went up 23 % last year alone at my work I'm assuming it was statewide....that's just ludicrous....and the board controls the finances do they not???...and Fred ...thx for serving our country

WHY DOES EVERYONE TYPE ON HERE THINKING IT IS OKAY FOR FF TO WORK AND NOT GET PAID????

Um, just to throw this out...... If a budget had been passed there would be no receivership. The receivership is because they can't send out tax bills. I would hope the board would find a way to balance the budget and schedule a new meeting with real numbers this time.

Why doesn't the board get off their A$$ and work to pass something so the FF can get paid!!!!!!!!!!

If I was a FF and didn't get paid and was behind on bills, etc., and needed the check to pass my bills, I would be pissed!!!! Wouldn't you????

Its amazing to me that there are so many misinformed and uneducated people on here. The years of volunteer firefighters are coming to close. Though it does work in rural towns across the country and even in some places in rhode island it does not work for many cities or towns due to population, call volume, and economic issues. Does the town of Coventry need all these different fire districts ? Why can't all these departments including the volunteers just merge into 1 town municipal fire department. Shut down the slow stations and staff the trucks in the stations that can respond in each district. Can anyone provide any information on how many fire engines, ladders, rescues, and chiefs there are? How many firefighters total (fulltime and volunteers) there are?

What's the total call volume for the whole town of coventry each year?

Once the gas runs out of the CCFD trucks and they don't go out the door can Western Coventry and Hopkins Hill fully respond to all the calls throughout the CCFD and their own districts?

If my fulltime job was a firefighter and I was the provider for my family I'd be very scared right now. No paycheck coming in, no job, and a horrible job outlook is very concerning!!!

Can other departments in the state hire these trained people? Maybe other cities and towns won't have to pay for training and can hire these men and women!!

I hope this mess can be solved quickly!!!

There are a few fire districts in Coventry I do not live in the CCFD and our department runs on a tax rate of $1.74 per thousand they are union and they have voulenteers. Poor leadership and poor money management is to blame. I feel bad for the new cheif in the ccfd he has to deal with a mess he did not ake

Yes other districts always respond and always have

Rhodyresident check out the voulenteers in long island ny

Dont worry everyone serviceoverself is a Hero with all the credentials from WCFD or HH and will handle all the calls him/herself i guess. WCFD or HH must be glad to have this idiot...

All I said was coventry needs 1 department! ... No need for all these stations, chiefs, trucks, different tax rates, etc etc...

What I am trying to get at is instead of all these different department departments have 1 town fire department, move trucks around to provide the continued level of care but with less stations departments and the amount of firefighters. Why does a town like coventry need 3 ladder trucks town wide? The city of warwick does 16000 runs a year and is the 2nd largest department in the state and has 3 ladders!! The town of coventry currently has 5 ALS rescues operating daily. Not even warwick or cranston has that many rescues running daily. Cranston and Warwick have 4, the city of pawtucket has 2.... Why does coventry need so many stations, trucks, and firefighters!?

Does coventry need a paid fire department? In my mind they do yes due to the size population and call volume. But does coventry need so many different departments? Absolutely not!!!! The town can have both paid and volunteers under 1 department with 1 chief!!!

Makes sense to me, 1 Dept for all of Coventry. Coventry is the largest Town in the State however RI is the size of 1 County in some states, so it seems Coventry should be able to fit under 1 Chief?

Hey We don't have volunteer cops or teachers. Why not? Volunteer DPW folks? Why not? if everyone can be a volunteer fireman why not everything else? anyone? Frustrating! Volunteer firefighters are a wonderful thing and there are parts of this great country where it works but when a town is this big with this many calls it does not. Time for one fire dept!!! call your senators and reps! lets make it happen. having 4 fire districts makes as much sense as 3 police departments in coventry .

Sorry grammar police i know this post will probably get me a life sentence.

There is no othe let town that a basic raised ranch in a basic area pays 1100 per year for fire tax. Period. There is a very big problem and this time it will change. I can't pay 1000 per year plus 5 k property taxes. It's a joke. Compare it to any town city big or small. I have a lot of respect for the firefighters it's not their fault but the towns system is broken. 500 max per house times the houses figure a fair business number that won't slow growth and there is your budget. If you can work within it, then we as residents will find a way to make it work.

I will be happy to meet you at the local dunk. I can only hope that the 1058.11 has been incorrect for the past year. In 1997my fire tax was 437.12 for the year. That's when I moved in. Live in hunters crossing. Same house same road over a 100 percent increase for the same service. So please if I have been overpaying please help me get some money back. Oh wait can't they spent it all and are broke. Well wonder if I don't pay what happens. Can I to file for that same bankruptcy. Nope not a discharge debt. Tax sale.

In all fairness I did add a deck and pool. Just a FYI

And if you pay that on your 30000 house I will pay it for you. That's the biggest line of crap. That's must be a bill from 1997.

Maybe I will take it to kinks and have it put into a poster for the next meeting That's a good idea I will put every year from 1997 blow them up and post them around the hall. Then we can all look at them together before we vote on what we are going to do. What color do you like John. Also I will be sure to post your comment about what I pay under it. Have a good night

why dont we stop pointing all these fimgers and noth sides sit and try and figure out the best way to solve this We are all adults here and we all want the same results. Maybe Asslone and few taxpayers and members of ccff get togetner and talk and work on a solution both sides want the same and both sides have good and bad ideas. Lets put the bad feeling behind us and get the ball rollong . But there will have to be concession on both sides Lets bring Coventry back to were people are proud to live and move too Thanks

Although this is a good forum to air our grievences about how to fix this problem and pointing fingers at people, I just can't help but wonder what the audit is going to find?

Or a better question is are we going to even be able to pay for it????

All you Assalone followers, He want's to have one flat tax so you pay to drop the taxes on his business while your residental goes thru the roof...sound fair to everyone??

Forget about Western helping. They can't even get the trucks out in their own district, never mind helping Central. Over half of them have no qualifications either!

Hey Fred... Im a Western Coventry resident, and I have a suggestion for you.... GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT BEFORE YOU RUN YOUR MOUTH!!! It's IDIOTS like yourself that come on here and post BS that make EVERYONE look bad.
1. Why don't you give me an example of a recent situation where WCFD failed to respond to a call because they could not get the trucks out the door... You can't do so because no such situation exists.
2. All firefighters and EMS personnel are required to have the same qualifications weather they are paid, call, or volunteer. I assure you that the staff that work the duty shifts at WCFD are all licensed EMT's, Cardiac's or Paramedics as well as a MINIMUM of NFPA 1001, most have NFPA 1002.... These are the EXACT SAME qualifications the guys in Central and every other fire department in the country have.
3. You say "Forget about Western helping"... I suggest you do your homework. As of right now, Western has responded mutual aid to Central more times this year than Central has responded to Western...
Next time get your facts straight before you open your mouth and you wont look like such a JACKASS!!!

I'm sorry but this comes down to a power struggle. There is no need for Coventry to have so many departments, trucks, and firefighters (both fulltime and volunteer). Why not staff the ALS rescues fulltime and place the at the north, south, east, and west stations. And staff 4 engines and a ladder. How many stations does coventry have total? 52 lol... Its not New York City or even providence. Coventry doesn't need 5 rescues, 3 ladders, 7 engines, and 600 chiefs!!!! Time to down size sell the extra equipment and stations and go from there. Even if the volunteers and fulltime firefighters work together then they should all have the firefighter and emt cardiac certifications. If your not certified to do the job and be able to care for a patient or go in the house when its on fire or pump the truck then your just a waste of space. Didn't Central Coventry get a grant not to long back to hire firefighters ? Doesn't that grant last 2 years? Then why don't those firefighters staff the rescues till the time being

Can someone answer this question?

In Western Coventry and Hopkins Hill is there a policy in place when a call comes in who can get on the trucks and respond?

Certifications and licenses, age, rank etc etc...

Basically what I am asking is if a call for a house fire or a patient in cardiac arrest comes in can someone without any certifications in firefighting or EMT- B,C,P respond?

ok enough is enough ltes sit down and talk with all this pointing fingers at each other we could had had a bugdet by know with all this pointing Thanks

Just an fyi hopkins hill has paid fire fighters that are union and they have call men/women

How is a Volunteer covered if injured on a call? ie. getting sick from a Pt under their care, or at an auto acc. or structure fire? Will the Volunteers place of employment pay them sick time and hold their job for them until fit to return? Just some of the questions to consider if i were Volunteering.
Being a Firefighter who also provides rescue service is not a hobby or a side job unless it is an extremely slow Dept. where there is not an interior fire attack option at a structure fire trust me.

It costs me about $1.65 per day for fire and rescue services in Anthony. I'll be willing to bet most people without complaint spend at least that per day for coffee or a 20 oz. soda at the local convenience store. More than likely $4.00 per day. Lets get realistic.

I have worked with unions for many years. Im am very sure that they told the firefighters to work for free because when all is said and done, the union will get them all the money that is due to them plus more. The union will not let their members go without money without being compensated later on. There must be a deal somewhere that they are not telling us, that will pop up later on saying that now the firefighters will get a million dollars apiece. mark my words, i know the unions. This is all shady work done by the unions and firefighters. Im am very sure the unions told the firefighters what they will be getting later on. so dont go giving me that BS that the firemen are working for free. You will all see, they are going to screw us later on. It sounds like they are doing something out of the kindness of their hearts, but its all gonna come down to them just waiting for the union to get them that big lump sum.

Dohn, you are an idiot. It's common knowledge that they are working without pay until a budget is passed. At that point they will get whatever they normally would have gotten. No one is going to get paid any more than their normal salary. Guess you hate firefighters so much that you needed to get this topic active again with your lies and misinformation.

I dont hate anyone. Im simply stating how its going to happen. They will be reimbursed for what their owed plus more for waiting. Dont feel bad for these guys, their not working for free. realistic, i have no clue about any park that your speaking of, and rs sounds like he was supposed to keep it hush hush and not let anyone know. Good try but i know unions way too well. I was a rep for mine years ago. I left mine after finding out that they would let the company close down becuase they werent going to get their fair share, so dont tell me about how unions work, ive sat thru too many meetings to hear your garb and how everything will be ok.

Dohn, again with your fantasies. Any agreement would have to go thru the special master and would need to be public since it's a municiple contract. If it does happen, which sounds like a fantasy to me, it will be public record.

@ eye in the sky. If i knew i was getting a hefty pension if i stayed then yes i would wait and work for free. Why walk away from a pension that was golden. If you ask me, alot of these out of work people in this state would be more than happy to work it..... as long as they get a piece of that pension.

you must be very educated people rs and eye for trying so hard to talk me down with your childish answers. You dont know a thing about me nor will you ever, simply because i choose to stay away from fantasy chasers like you both. Now the both of you sound like your working for the cause but in reality are just trying to sound smart. it seems that if they didnt stay and work for so-called free, then they would lose that nice pension that they have coming. regardlessof how hard their jobs are, if its good enough pension for them, then it should be statewide for everyone. they chose to take on those jobs and knew it was life threatening and still chose to do it. So dont tell me this bullshit about how hard they work and how dangerous it is. I do know that they will get their pay plus more. there is no denying that fact at all. This is all im going to say, so enjoy your new year and smile.