You all want reveng for what happened to the money and your taxes going up. Go after the people responsible for holding the money, not the workers holding your lives in their hand. I feel sorry for 22000 taxpayers that let 460 or so deside your familys safety

No revenge needed. Everyone should be so pissed of that our taxes are going from $1.82 a thousand to $3.15 a thousand. That doesn't even pay off the debt that the former board members brought up for us all. We love our firefighters, we just do not like the way the former board handle the situation. Also on a menial note, the admin cost went from $50 thousand to over $100 thousand. At once time it was all part time clerks in the office (2) and then now everyone is full time. What is up with that. When we were Washington, they had one part time clerk that only worked a few hours a day.

The CCFD, as currently constructed, has indelibly proven that it is incapable of responsible, prudent, and honest management. The staggering incompetence of those who would who make a $217,000,000 "assessment error" and then repeat that error for two more years screams for a grand jury investigation. To expect the hard working ratepayers of the CCFD to underwrite this "error" with their hard earned dollars is the epitome of arrogance and greed. Put the whole thing out to bid, the CCFD is, by definition, an abject failure as a corporate entity!

I just don't get why they do what east Greenwich is doing and merge all the departments into 1!!! Maybe to many chiefs collecting there pensions on top of the 80k they make a year!!!!... Sell off all the trucks and stations pay off your debt and then hire back what you need... My only fear is that it will take a very long time for the FD to show up now if the outlying departments are busy

@In41time, You are correct there is not 22000 voters, There are 22000 residents in the district, my error. See not that hard to simply admit when your wrong.

I am not a Coventry resident. However, on the outside looking in, I am shocked that public safety was not the most important consideration. Every city and town has the obligation to provide prompt EMS and fire services to residents in need. What ever the next move is this is a shameful precedant for Coventry. I wonder how many residents stayed in due to ice or snow who are reading about the vote who are now in an uproar? Don't we drum into our children ..safety first? Apparently, the politicans who could not find any alternatives to this debacle lost sight of that.

Maybe the chief of Anthony western and HH should sit down and start thinking about their next move ! Who gets the extra gold leaf on the helmet or who gets the new fire car. 1 chief 1 department 1 tax rate. I bet there are department across the state willing to buy coventrys trucks and hire their guys!!! Only people who are going lose on this deal are the people who need 911

Consolidating services should be happening in Coventry as well as throughout the State. You can't tell me it's cheaper to run these separate fire departments than to run one department covering the entire town. Reduce the admin cost, management costs, etc. by consolidation.

We already know what went wrong. The proper authorities are investigating and will hand out punishments where warranted. There was mismanagement by the Board. These are the facts. The other facts are that since the budget was NOT passed, there will no longer be fire/rescue service in Central Coventry. There will be numerous people out of jobs. The other departments in town do NOT have the resources (both financial and manpower) to handle the amount of calls that Central had. How long do you think it will take to get a rescue or an engine from Western out to the edge of Central if all the other departments are out? Central also did a significant amount of mutual aid to Western. What happens to the people out there should a major accident happen on 102 or 114 and they need mutual aid?

Safety has been compromised and, unfortunately, people will lose their lives or lose their home over this. We take this service for granted - until we need it. Now if we do, it will not be there.

Instead of moving forward to help fix the problem and preserve our fire/rescue services, we will now have extremely long response times, much higher homeowners insurance premiums, much higher costs relative to the receivership and guess what, the problems are now only beginning.

So congratulations to those who voted no. You got what you wanted in the short term. But the long term cost of this, in terms of safety and lives could be devastating.

If these Fire Deparments shut down it will be a great loss to the town. Still having Family that live in town and close friends on the Fire Department leaves me concerned about the leaders it has. Even at the district level the politics is corupt the board and its "elected" officials need to think more of public safety then money and thier own agenda.I have been to these so call Meetings and the board is not concerned with the community as a whole. Maybe it is time to start from scratch!! its not like it can get any worse. The Firefighters will keep there jobs just wear a diffrent patch and answer to competent leaders and who knows maybe better conditions. Like i said it can't get any worse!

This fire service needs to be placed under wise and prudent control. Done properly, it should be controlled by the town. For those who feel the chief should come from one of the other districts... negative... a fresh start is a fresh start. Recruit nationally, get a chief who has completed the Executive Fire Officer Program from the National Fire Academy. Make another requirement that the qualified candidate come from a Fire Department with over 500 members ( This eliminates any RI influence and typical RI corrupt nonsense ). I could continue but it is a waste of time. Misinformation, mistrust, ignorance and arrogance are responsible for this, a snapshot of the norm in this state. I am sure the end result will be the usual fodder and illogical consequences.

THE PEOPLE SPOKE
My take on this was the Master didn't do a good enough job with all the time he had to get this budget corrected. Budget cuts had to go lower along with the tax rate to make up for the mistake that wasn't corrected a few years ago he played with the numbers to make it look good .
The people wanted to hear the original plan that the personal would level back to what is was original 48 men , along with selling some assets like the truck from hell we did need the FF contract restructure but not to the bones , reinstate the volunteer We do need them , Get a new board and chief we do not need this City thinking chief spending the tax payers money and doesn't know what's going on around him like he stated DA. Redesigning the stations coverage and mutual aid and shutting down what is necessary. CONSOLIDATEthe district like the plan was sold to the taxpayers in 2005 at this time 2013 its just not affordable to continue. And releave the past board members from the board. The taxpayer that got up and said she was a CPA We need Taxpayers on the board like her she knows how to cut cost. As far as running around with the equiptment maybe its time to stop and order dinner delivered.

The people spoke loud! Like I said the other day, trust has been broken. The special master has failed because he has yet to inform the voters that the incompetence has been weeded out. Ill bet anyone a dollar, if the special master told everyone the truth about what happened, how it happened, why it wont happen again, the budget would have passed. He should have gotten our legislators to fast track a one sentence bill that allowed for districts to legally charge different rates. He should have stood up and disbanded the board and let everyone know that he will personally be watching all activities. And the chief should have provided cuts everywhere. Dont tell me there are no cuts to be made. 25k per year for leased laptops?? we only have 55 employees. The master failed, the board failed, the chief failed. And now, its gone.

Here is the future headline in the ProJo JOHN ASSALONE LIED AND PEOPLE DIED!!!! Plan and simple!!

Coventry taxpayer 2, you have some serious issues. The only thing that John Assalone did was get people out there to see what was going on. He didn't overspend the budget or screw the taxpayers, that was the ex-chief and the board at that time. You may not like John, heck, I don't even know if I do, but I respect the fact that he made people take responsibility and pay attention instead of just paying taxes.

rjle, I don't know why it has to be volunteers? Do you work for nothing? Are all those people who voted no willing to work their jobs for nothing? It seems like everybody wants a service for nothing... maybe, you can have your mechanic, Dr's, or lawyers work pro bono also. I'm sure they wouldn't mind. Why not have the town employee's and teachers work for nothing also? This town is going to hell and fast.

The concessions offered by the department were laughable. Increased deductibles for health care and a pay freeze? How about a pay decrease until budget issues are resolved, how about no overtime, how about employee contributions towards health care, how about giving up dental. CCF could still exist if the guys scarficed just like they ask the taxpayers to sacrifice. If they came to meeting with some concession, showing that they appreciate all they have been given by the taxpayers and acknowledge they may have asked for too much in the past, but are willing to help fix the problem with some aid from the taxpayers the vote would have been in favor of saving CCF.

Another completely misinformed taxpayer. Now that is laughable. Your information is absolutely incorrect. Let me ask you something. How about you take a pay decrease and give up your dental. Something tells me that behind that wall of yours, you are asking that the firefighters give up something you wouldn't give up yourself. I also ask that you review Mr. Land's report on what concessions were made before you comment in the future. Give up dental? That's not going to change the fact that we will now not have any fire/rescue services in Central Coventry.

Just Me. You hit the nail on the head. Would you want your doctor, dentist, mechanic or financial advisor to be a volunteer? Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against highly trained and certified volunteers, but when I am on the floor in my house having had a heart attack, I would rather have a paid paramedic there. And to those that scoff at the overtime.... Why can't you people get that they are working overtime to fill empty shifts so they can be there to save your life! They put their lives on the line every day for yours! To me, that is a lot more valuable. Put it in perspective!

The taxpayers voted and now they suffer big time along with 160 plus family members of the Central Coventry Firefighters!! Not really going forward now is it.
I think you are all pathetic

Why should the "tax payers" in the other districts use up and make unavailable to them the resources they have payed for to answer your calls.

Do you think the response time will not change.

Do you think they will even be available to respond.

Do you think your hazard insurance premiums are not going to sky rocket.

You truely have set a price to life and I hope you are the one who has to dial 911.

If a person was to collapse in full arrest from a cardiac event minutes is very easily the difference between life and death. If a well trsined rescue responds within 1 1/2 minutes you have approximately 80% survival rate, every minute after that your survival rate drops by 10%! Go ahead and close 5 stations and have another donut but remember this, leave the light on so maybe that distant EMS unit will find you.

hey lets not blame John Assalone, and why are we the " taxpayers "
pathetic and laughable ? we did not eliminate any jobs, we did not elect the board.
- by the way who did elect the board member ?
we the tax payers loose and the CCFF's loose.
and we can all thank the board members the ex-chief and the captain who worked
the last contract with all the money that was not there.
all I know is between my property tax and fire tax i don't know how much longer I can afford to live in Coventry.

"Ben Dover" Is that how Johnny likes it from you ? I haven't heard a correct fact yet from the haters!! !, There was no money stolen
2. The treasurer Tom LaColle and former Chief had access to the money NOT THE BOARD!!!
3. The Board voted to have an Audit against the wishes of the treasurer and board member Bob Crowe ( Close Friends for years)

Assholelone knows all this yet he still leads the flock with disinformation!!

And yes the taxpayers elected the board , Assholelone even got a couple of them elected. Are you really that stupid??

Wow John you really know how to speak with intelligence. Yea, no. Really, are you a homophobe or something. Do you think calling Assalone names accomplishes anything. GROW UP! Who are you a board member? The chief requested funds, the treasurer didn't do his part, and the board said "YES" to whatever the chief wanted with no concern for the taxpayer. They said "YES" to whatever the union wanted, with no concern for the taxpayer. Let the chips fall where they may and let justice be served. If that means we start over so be it. Get you facts straight and then come back and write something worth reading.

Did Seltzer run like a cockroach when the lights came on? Maybe... Did the Union stack the meeting when they elected the last board with ex-firefighters and union supporters? YES!!! Was the public paying attention then? NO!! Are they paying attention now? YES!!
.
The financial problem/mistake was correctable the first year, BUT when that budget was formed it was based on an inflated false number giving a false surplus. The board only looked at it as if they were leaving money on the table. They cant leave money un-spent (reality is they could but chose not to)
So the backed into the budget. Instead of coming up with a number to run the department. The board gave the chief the number $$ to spend up to, and they did. The problem is the board signed contracts and leases to spend up to that number.
.
The union's mantra "we are professionals" stops at the nepotism counter in wally world, The union demands only professionals may work as FF's in the district. When it comes to the district staff, tax people, clerks is not what you know, but who you know, and here "lies" the problem. We have people with no formal finance/tax training essentially running a 5Mil budget.
.
All the FF's need to stand arm in arm in a long line. Look to your right, and look to your left. One of you is being laid-off.
.
Gorman and the union got greedy and now they have to deal with the backlash.

Sorry to let you all down but you are not entitled to a job for life. We do now owe you a living because you are a fire fighter. You are no more special than any other working stiff trying to scrape out a living regardless of what your union leaders have brainwashed you in believing.
.
It comes down to PR and public opinion.
Maybe a few less trips the Stop and Shop in the fire truck.
Maybe you shouldn't be washing your own car in front of the Station with soap and water paid for by the taxpayer.
Maybe you shouldn't heckle and intimidate the taxpayers trying to get a question answered at a meeting.
Maybe it wasn't a good idea to line up old office chairs in the bay door and sit there watching traffic.
.
The right salesman could sell a ketchup sandwich to a lady in white gloves.
Gorman is not the right salesman.

Just Me I would not call 228-204 stacked. Funny when taxpayers disagree with the unions and their supporters the taxpayers are callend a "special interest" but when the vote swings the way of the union packed room its just the working familes giving their opinion.
I have attended all of the meetings and I have to say the cat calls by the FF's and their supporters was more common.
Gorman did ask for an audit and he gets credit for that.
The Special Master did make the accounting error public, but I would guess he Is not the first person to find it, again he made it public. When did seltzer leave again?
After it came out the CCFD tax dept was putting the blame on the Town Tax collector and the Town in general for providing the wrong tax data to the district.
When resignations are handed in by the rest of the office staff a budget will get passed.
The sharks aka the taxpayers are now paying attention, and there is blood in the water.
I think the time of the volunteer has passed in a district this big, It works at HH and does at most single station districts. Having said that the numbers need to be rolled back. Looking at the info provided we are officer heavy and its just not warrented.

well said Jay!

Steve, here is a list of 2012 rates:
http://www.muni-info.ri.gov/documents/finances/property%20tax%20info/2012FireDistrictTaxRates.pdf

RV I get it.
So how are the taxpayers to blame again? Because we voted down a bad deal, the people paying the bills, we are to blame?? We are the victims here not the poor fire fighters.
Bob Crowe?? now there is a name that is all over town politics. Big Democrat in Coventry right? Dave Jervis Democrat, Joe Bonn Democrat, Seltzer Democrat, Dave Gorman Democrat,
I am Getting the picture here!!

Coventry voter-Jay. Please remember one thing you are correct that Dave Jervis is a Democrat, but you are sooooo wrong to put him in the same sentence with Joe Bonn, Seltzer and bite your tongue Gorman! Dave sat right along side of us at the meetings and he just recently got elected to the board along with Marie to look our for our interests. Please DO NOT tarnish his name until he does something that merits it.

That was to throw you off the scent set....Jay is Jervis

Wow, eye in the sky, your anger is just out of control. I think you need to go see someone to work through it. You write about things that impact nobody else. Who collects what pension does nothing to put food on my table and it doesn't change the fact that CCFD did this to themselves. Blame everyone else all you want, but the truth is the truth. Overspending and thinking the taxpayers would continue to foot the bill is how we got not by anyone else. Smarten up!!

timetobereal Boy Dave that really hit a nerve huh!

Coventry needs one townwide professionaly run Fire / Rescue dept with a board elected by skills rather than "liked'. Of course, that wont happen.