Randy wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:18 AM:Why is the City of Escondido dragging itself through the mud by getting involved in good old-fashioned politics? Shouldn't that be left to the candidates themselves?

Concerned wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:25 AM:I am glad to see the FD is letting the public know that the city doesn't truly make public safety a priority. They are too busy with their own personal agendas.

Randy wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:55 AM:The City of Escondido should be involved in the day-to-day running of the city. Our hard-earned tax dollars should not be squandered by getting involved in the political "silly season!" The incumbents can ably defend their decisions without city staff's help.

Tony wrote on Oct 7, 2008 12:49 PM:I think unions should stay out of politics, especially if they are going to lie to the public.

Re Tony wrote on Oct 7, 2008 1:35 PM:what does the union gain by lying to the public. If the union feel this is a public safety concern, I'm glad they said something. Let the city defend itself and make up your own mind. There are 2 sides to every story. By the way are you a resident of Escondido, if so you are the one stuck with an 84 million bond to pay back. The city didn't spend a dime.

Good wrote on Oct 7, 2008 1:40 PM:Glad to see the FD is holding the city council/city responsible for the bad management - understaffing the FD is a safety issue. The FD is already pushing the response times. But our city council is more interested in a pedestrian plaza and a downtown hotel and a costly parking ordinance.

It is not a lie to say that the FD needs additional personnel and the city KNOWS it!! Good on ya Escondido Firefighters Political Action Committee! Hold their feet to the fire!! So to speak.

Firefighters wrote on Oct 7, 2008 1:40 PM:You get paid to fight fires not put forth scare tactics to increase Union control. If you don't like the decisions being made find somewhere else to work. Playing on the publics fear is getting real old. Talk about change, why don't you and your unions man up rather then running to the public whinning everytime you don't like something.

Escondeeter wrote on Oct 7, 2008 2:27 PM:Bravo! It's well past time someone corrected the garbage the fire union is spreading.

To Firefighters wrote on Oct 7, 2008 2:50 PM:So if they really believe there is a problem what would you have them do, keep it to themselves? I don't believe belonging to a Union takes you out of the political process either. Remember, the firefighters distributed a flier, it was the city that thought it necessary to hold a press conference.

out of line wrote on Oct 7, 2008 3:32 PM:Calm down people. The city has a right to be mad. At a time when Escondido is building more public service buildings than ANY North County city, the firefighters come out with this? Lets see, a new state of the art Police/Fire Station(no other city will have better), a new fire station on Ash, and a new fire station on Quince St. The firefighters union should be ashamed of themselves. Escondido is investing in fire protection and better response times by building these facilities and these guys come out with this mailout meant to strike false fear in citizen's minds? It's a joke. We have plenty of firemen to service these new stations. Maybe some of those guys getting 30k+ more a year in overtime with their inflated salaries should give it some thought......as should people with knee-jerk reactions to articles the NCT writes.

Re Firefighters wrote on Oct 7, 2008 3:38 PM:You are absolutely correct. I'm glad someone else believes the city never does the wrong thing. Unions are out of control with their informing the public and holding the council and city manager accountable. Why should we not believe the Fire Chief (who is retiring on Dec. 1st)? He has all the answers, he just won't be around to answer them.

JD wrote on Oct 7, 2008 3:51 PM:HMMMM?? This is not for a raise in pay and benefits? C'mon!!! A 10yr FF/Medic with a BA degree in Escondido makes approximately 77k per year with NO overtime. Plus they have a fully funded retirement. Did I mention they only have to work 11 days a month?? When a FF works OT (which is all the time) they get 24hrs of time and a half. My sympathy goes to the cops...they actually have to earn their money and don't get to sleep on duty.

out of touch wrote on Oct 7, 2008 4:26 PM:the city has not spent a dime on fire facilities. The taxpayers did with an 84 million dollar bond. What has the city done? Other than not staff them.

If wrote on Oct 7, 2008 7:13 PM:If firefighters are over-paid (as some have stated), then these people can also thank the city council for that.

The city is the entity that approves pay raises. And it was the city that miscalculated the costs of the 3 @ 50 plan - instead of costing $90,000/yr it cost the city $980,000/yr. Nothing like the damage done by a "misplaced" decimal point!

Whether you feel the FF are over-paid is really irrelevant at this point - because this story is about the Escondido Firefighters Political Action Committee revealing to the public the dangers of under-staffing the fire department (especially when we have all these new facilities - of which the city has paid zero towards the $84 million dollar bond, despite the fact the city said they would put millions towards the bond to reduce the burden to the taxpayers - another empty promise).

Under-staffed fire departments ARE INDEED A SAFETY ISSUE! What happened to Abed's claim that he would always make sure public safety would always be funded in the budget. I guess just not this time, right?

Randy M wrote on Oct 7, 2008 7:54 PM:Te best way to address fire budget is to revamp the archaeic system that pays fire fighters to sleep. Get rid of overtime, remove dorms, work 12 hour shifts so they are awake when calls for service come in and stop treating a job that draws hundreds of applicants for a single opening like it deserves high pay. If the unions do not like that, everyone resign becasue there will be hundreds lined up for these positions.

PoorJD wrote on Oct 7, 2008 8:06 PM:JD, you need an education before you spout out bad press. Cops work a 40 hour work week, Firefighters work a 56 hour work week. Also Police Officers hourly pay rate is higher as well. By the way do you work for free above and beyond your normal hours, let alone show up to work on major holidays to protect and serve the public? Did not think so. Dont like your job or are jealous of certain benefits public safety has throughout the state? Go to school for a minimum of three years, fill out an application and show up to try outs! Guaranteed you will not last. It is a job you physically and mentally have to work at to get. That is why so few people try out today.

wally wrote on Oct 7, 2008 8:18 PM:I'm so tired of these union goons embarrassing themselves. Look, the economy is bad, people are losing jobs, there are reduced revenues for all cities. What is it that these firefighting "hero's" don't understand?

While you're sitting in your Lazyboy chairs all day, why don't you read the paper so you can see what's going on in the world. This isn't conducive to your going to the desert and to the river on your days off, I understand, so do it on duty, just before you fill out your workers comp forms for tripping on a rock while you're allowed to jog every morning. Whiners.

I agree with Randy M wrote on Oct 7, 2008 8:19 PM:I agree with your comments Randy M.

I have looked at the city's budget and I see where the majority of the money is going.

I'm not saying that I do not appreciate the efforts of these employees and I'm not saying that I am not willing (like I have a choice) to pay for the fine services many city employees produce. But, I am saying...when times are tough (as they were last fiscal year 06-07), no employee unions should be coming to their city with their hands held out. I feel even stronger about this when the employees do not even live in this town.

There is a campaign ad running for an individual seeking office (not necessarily council) in another nearby city - the reason I bring this up is because this individual is employed by the City of Escondido and this individual holds a big position in the chain of command. That is bothersome - rather than our city employing its own residents, they employ anyone and everyone. (That's bit off subject, but I had to say it).

Again, I agree with Randy M and I second his notion that if the city's union employees were to resign, there would be hundreds lined up to take those positions (I would just hope they would be required to live within the city).

Thanks to all those city employees that work hard, complain seldomly and actually care about Escondido (whether you live here or not).

Dont forget wrote on Oct 7, 2008 8:38 PM:It was Mr. Gallo who called the "average citizens" of Escondido "Hayseeds" and suggested that those who were homeless or without food should "find God" and "get religion."
Did I miss his apology for those unkind words?

Escondeeter wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:03 PM:The ladder truck is the least used piece of front line apparatus in the city. It responds to less than two percent of all calls, and on the vast majority of those it gets cancelled before it gets to the scene. Here are some of the other options the Council had available for the truck company, all options that have been used in other cities:

1. Adopt a "light force" concept with the truck married to an engine company and cross-staffed, total savings of half a million dollars a year.

2. Obtain a "quint", which combines a truck company and an engine in one piece of gear and replace both the truck and one engine, again saving half a million a year in salaries.

3. Contract with another city for truck services, saving at least 300 grand a year.

With the options available, the City Council chose, instead, to address the funding shortage in the way that had the least possible impact on the staff and the community, even though other options would have saved more. The union, which was present throughout the process, had only one suggestion to address the shortfall, the one it offered today, "take it from someone else".

Every member of the Council has expressed a committment to public safety, and when the budget permits it, the first dollars are going to go to the fire department. The union will get its fourth member back on the truck company, and it'll get the other seven new hires it wanted so it can extort dues from them to use to try to buy politicians. In the meantime, it needs to stop saying "me! me! me!", suck it up, and get on with doing the job it's paid to do. That's one way it can guarantee job security to all its members because it'll avoid encouraging taxpayers to start asking whether there aren't cheaper ways to provide fire protection.

To Poor JD wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:16 PM:Gimme a Break. How's the union cool aide your drinking? So, FF work longer work weeks than cops...true; but how often to cops get to sleep and work out on duty? NEVER! FF's get paid to sleep, bbq and workout. How dare you call a FF's 56hr week a WORK week? Cops do have a higher base wage as they should; and it should be even higher. FF's are reactive only. Cops try and find the crooks before they commit crimes, they don't just respond to radio calls. You also say "thats why so few people try out today." Are you high? How many people continually show up to be a FF? Hundred if not thousands for only a handfull of positions. Cops...maybe a few. There are around 11,000 vacant police positions open in the state of CA. People don't want to be cops these days because of such a litigious society...thats why cops deserve CEO salaries....(BTW, I'm not a cop)

To Wally wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:22 PM:To Wally: It's ironic that you would be talking about "union goons embarassing themselves". Wink. Wink.

Like the pot calling the kettle black.

I think the people should "consider the source" of your comments.

As for this Escondido Firefighters PAC...I say: "tell us more"!

Lets Remember... wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:26 PM:So in 2004, city officials were in agreement with the use of fear tactics to convince voters to fork over $85Million for Prop P. Now city officials complain that real fire fighters are using fear tactics to arm twist city staff into funding new positions. So what did everyone think - that we should have new stations with lower staffing ratios? This isn't just about fire, it's about emergency response - medical, accidental, and yes, fire!

To Escondeeter wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:37 PM:That Abed campaign speech was weak.

Try to Sugarcoat it all you like - you know like when you write that all council members expressed a commitment to public safety (so has the entire city). That's some fancy footwork! You should watch the city council meeting video and watch the council members not ensure that public safety was funded and staffed as needed! And watch how some council members weakly attempt to secure funding...and watch how others fight for other items be funded vs public safety funding.

Bottom line: the fire department is not staffed as it should be - and simply stating that they will be when the budget permits is NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!

p.s. don't forget to vote the incumbents OUT OF OFFICE!

Think about it wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:37 PM:Slow down everyone. The firefighters aren't asking for money. This isn't about pay and benefits. So what is the motivation? Simple: Safety and fairplay. They supported the city in all it's efforts to pass prop P four years ago, FAIRLY ASSUMING, staffing would of course remain the same. The Padres didn't build a new stadium and then turn to the players and say, "By the way guys, thanks for going out there and winning games so we could build this really cool stadium on the public dime. But now we need you to get by with eight players okay?" The fire fighters have really stuck their collective necks out to sound the warning bell. Get on the phone. Call you councilmembers and tell them we want our staffing back.

Poor JD wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:50 PM:So you need another education i see. So you dont call business inspections proactive work? Offering CPR classes to the public is not proactive work? Conducting weed abatement inspections is not proactive work? I guess you are right, we just sit around and wait for the problems to come to us. Get in line if you are unhappy with yourself. Otherwise get over yourself

Kill the hotel wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:01 PM:Kill the $18.9 million dollar "investment" (aka give-away) for the downtown hotel - HELLO? Most people are tightening their belts - Hello? The economy is weak!

If you kill the hotel deal - then the city will certainly be able to staff the fire department as needed!

What say you - incumbents Abed & Gallo?

Public safety first or a very expensive gamble on the downtown hotel?

Hmmm...decisions...decisions! Oh Yea. I forgot...the incumbents already had their say: the voted to approve the budget which excluded the addition of new firefighters!

Lets Review wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:27 PM:Direct Quote 7/14/04, City Staff Report about Public Safety Needs (Prop P):

"Local voters understand that firefighters, police officers and paramedics’ability to respond quickly in an emergency can mean the difference between life and death."

Then vs. Now. Isn't it still about life and death?

Wheres the Beef wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:46 PM:Where's the Beef?

Where are the council member's quotes?

Were they not present at the meeting?

Did they send in retiring chief Vic Reed to take the heat? (No pun intended).

The city council is the entity with the power to fund or not fund new firefighters...where are there thoughts on this matter?

Councilmembers: Where are you? You should answer for your funding decisions!

To Think About It wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:04 PM:This is not about safety. It is about adding more members to the Firefighters Union.. plain and simple. I don't think the average firefighter is for this - it is spearheaded by a greedy firefighters association hungry for more members and, presumably, more power. Shame on you!

To Dont Forget wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:09 PM:It wasn't Mr. Gallo that called people from Escondido "Hayseeds". Get your facts straight. It was a newspaper columnist, I believe from the UT. Please don't say things that are just plain not true - those who have lived in Escondido a long time don't appreciate it.

Lying Union wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:15 PM:What does the union gain by lying to the public???? More members. Easy.

New plan wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:28 PM:What the city really needs to do is cut the truck completely and use those personnel to staff additional ambulances. Isn't that what fire departments do these days? Take people to the hospital, doctors appointments, etc. On average, how many times a year do they use that 100' ladder truck for an actual emergency? Not training...but an actual emergency call. Once? Twice?

What I love.. wrote on Oct 7, 2008 11:34 PM:What I find stunning is that the EFD will not let the ladder truck respond to medical emergencies, even if it is the closest available source of help. If you had a heart attack, stopped breathing, and keeled over directly across the street from Station 2, and that truck was the only unit available at Station 2, they would not respond. I guess they can't be bothered with menial cardiac arrests when the "big one" that occurs once every few years could happen. What a crock! I say cut the entire crew for that thing and cross-staff it.

Support Firefighters wrote on Oct 8, 2008 5:21 AM:It is refreshing to see a public safety union take a stand which has nothing to do with pay and benefits. These firefighters are OUR experts in public safety particularly fire safety and first responders. They know best and they are telling us that politicians are doing what politicians do. I agree with think about it. Get on the phone and let city hall hear from you. Firefighters: Thank you for keeping us informed about our safety.

EMS wrote on Oct 8, 2008 5:31 AM:Spend some time with a Fire Department and see how "proactive" they are in public health education, water safety, fire prevention safety, elderly fall prevention. The list goes on and on...don't be so quick to judge until you have done your homework.

JD wrote on Oct 8, 2008 6:30 AM:Escondeeter tries to come off like he knows something about firefighting. His comments reveal that he knows nothing about urban firefighting.

Over the years, many cities and consultants have done staffing studies. Providence, R.I. did a study where they increased staffing from 3 to 4 people on an apparatus. The city ended up with a 74% reduction in time lost to work comp injuries. That doesn't save money for the city?

Many studies have shown that reducing firefighting crews from 4 to 3 reduces efficiency by 50%. So you're saving less than 25% by getting rid of the lowest paid member of the crew and losing 50% efficiency.

Sure you could call another engine in -- but how does that reduce response times for the rest of the city?

There are two components to firefighting. You have to arrive in a timely fashion -- with sufficient force to actually put out the fire.

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Good for the union wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:32 AM:thanks for taking care of the peoplethat takes care of us, God bless you all for keeping Escondido safe!!!
WE NEED A NEW COUNCIL!!!

To Poor JD Again wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:34 AM:So your proactive work consists of weed and business inspections and having an occasional CPR class? Thats my "education?" Are you serious? Straw man argument (but funny) that miserabley fails in comparison to what police do every day. Maybe you need to re read my previous post before you embarass yourself again.

Escondeeter wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:53 AM:JD offers a preview of the union's next argument. If they can get the public to fall for this piece of propaganda, they're going to start campaigning for four person staffing, increasing personnel costs by another two million dollars a year. Two minutes after they accomplish that, the hue and cry for five person staffing will begin.

The union will happily give you all the staffing you can pay for. The ultimate decision needs to be made on the basis of what you, the taxpayer, can afford, and that's a decision for you, through your elected representatives. That decision's been made for this year. All the union's whining, complaining, wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth isn't going to change it. All it's going to do is undermine public support for their more legitimate concerns.

To Out of Touch wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:59 AM:What you don't realize is it's the same thing basicallly. It's all taxpayers money, whether it comes directly from the city or from a proposition. You ask "what else has the city done", well, lets see, the city CHOSE to pursue those propositions to improve public safety and spent city staff time processing the plans for the development. Simply stating, "what else has the city done other than not staff them" is so ignorant that I laughed when I read your post. A city chooses to pursue a proposition to build a building that will improve public safety when it cares about public safety. The two ideas go hand in hand. The firefighters union is pursuing scare tactics to make it seem like the city is ignoring public safety. Get it? I think you are the one that's out of touch.

wh wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:08 AM:Your ladder truck has three FF short one.The article says fourth FF would be sent in another truck.Concern is fourth FF would be late to the party. Now ladder truck is big and slow, small truck faster. Fourth FF may be there first. Would you not think all FF would be trained to work with any other FF.

Remember wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:38 AM:Wow, so quick to wine about the FD Escondeeter. I remember when the wild fires were coming through Escondido and houses were lost. But did any citizens lose their lives??? Also think about it if you live in the city, the city is down an ambulance and you are on the east end of town and call 911, you will get an engine company to help you but what about the firefighter/paramedic ambulance to continue care... oh wait it is comming from San Marcos. Enjoy the wait while time is muscle in a heart attack. But hey you say the Firefighters just sleep, eat, and workout. If you are so jelous about them, go get all of your classes and certifications to become one. It's so easy.... you uniformed whiner. God Bless

Go firefighters wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:42 AM:For all you people that are complaining about the firefighters, when was the last time you held a dying baby, parent, or friend in your arms waiting for a ambulance to get there from San Marcos? Escondido has a busy city, with 5 ambulances during the day and will be going to four ambulances in November. This means that when Escondido is out of ambulances, they have to wait until a outside ambulance to come. That has nothing to due with pay, it has to do with having more ambulances to respond within the city to help the citizens.

Remember wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:42 AM:Wow, so quick to wine about the FD Escondeeter. I remember when the wild fires were coming through Escondido and houses were lost. But did any citizens lose their lives??? Also think about it if you live in the city, the city is down an ambulance and you are on the east end of town and call 911, you will get an engine company to help you but what about the firefighter/paramedic ambulance to continue care... oh wait it is comming from San Marcos. Enjoy the wait while time is muscle in a heart attack. But hey you say the Firefighters just sleep, eat, and workout. If you are so jelous about them, go get all of your classes and certifications to become one. It's so easy.... not really you uniformed whiner. God Bless

Come On wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:55 AM:The only reason the Union is whinning is because the city won't hire new firefighters that can go onto the Union rolls. Please people, if the firefighters and union really cared about you and I where were they when the Christmas parade was being canceled because of funding for the cops? Did the Union step up? No. Did the firefighters or cops step up to volunteer their time No. It took a casino to pony up the bucks. Please stop believing the Union and Firefighters are doing this because they love you. It is for their and their only gain!

PLEASE wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:58 AM:this argument is ridiculous. The city IS looking out for our safety by building the additional stations. Lots of growing 'businesses' have to shift staff loads to accomodate growth. Growth can cost 'a lot' of money for those of you who think it just falls from the sky. Shifting the load is the most financially responsible way to approach our city's growth while providing a better safety net. Our taxes our not a bottomless source of funding. The article clearly states that 9 new FF's will be added. How is that bad or irresponsible?
Of course it's about wages & benefits. If these guys weren't paid so much OT (which is a FACT), there would be plenty of money to hire more FFs and have a more reasonable work schedule. Ask this: why don't FFs have shorter shifts? The unions. The sick part is that FFs or members have to pay in to the union so then they have a personal investment in it. When the union tells them how mistreated and underpaid they are, why would FFs think any different? They don't even realize they are pawns in a ppower play of greed. Its sad that although they are there to protect & save our lives, they are constantly thinking they deserve better...sort of like the vets who expect the parade to go on forever and not have to 'work' anymore. Meanwhile, we all have to listen to this garbage.

Dont buy into the fear wrote on Oct 8, 2008 9:06 AM:The Escondido Firefighters union fails to mention that the three person staffing levels Escondido is now going to implement is the same level as used in the cities of San Marcos, Oceanside and Carlsbad...I imagine those cities will be shocked to hear their community safety is in jeopardy! Don't believe the union hype.

CITIZEN AT RISK wrote on Oct 8, 2008 9:07 AM:Next time you are injured or your house is on fire call Olga or a council member.

Stop wrote on Oct 8, 2008 9:07 AM:the bickering. Remember, it's for the children. Oh wait, thats the teacher union's mantra. IMO the firefighter's union needs to appeal to sports fans. Don't you dumb taxpayers realize what having only three men per house does to the foozeball league department wide? Firefighters can't sleep and eat all day long, you know.

Police staffing wrote on Oct 8, 2008 9:40 AM:Lets take a look at a more serious issue that's being ignored. Police staffing! There are approximately 170 sworn police in this city. However, what you don't know is there only about 70 cops who work around the clock that responde to your daily emergency/non emergency calls. Managment, supervision and inestigators won't come when we need a fast response. With 140,000 (which is conservative) people and 70 cops, thats 0.5 cops per thousand. Even if you count all 170 sworn, you get just a hair over 1 cop per thousand. Wake up and demand more police protection.

No deal wrote on Oct 8, 2008 9:54 AM:Unions want extra boots on the ground to add to their union pensions. This is just one more ploy to put money in their pot. If they would lower their pension bonus than maybe the city could afford to hire more.

citizens beware wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:06 AM:Don't go for the union scare tactics. It's old fashioned and unwarranted. The department will continue to function just fine. This is just typical union hype in order to accomplish the only thing they exist for, more money for their members. More positions = more overtime. Stop the waste.

How about some pension reform? It's time to take away the fat cat retirements.

Another perspective wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:33 AM:I am not by any means here to defend the fire dept. What I will say is that the city council and city manager have made it very clear that public safety is the number one priority. Just look at the center for the arts and the hotel project. It seems that all of us agree that both of these projects have been and will be complete failures. Why is it so obvious to us and not the city leadership? I do not believe that the firefighters union will make any real gains by adding more employees to their union. If the city would make public safety a priority and stop dumping money into useless projects then they would not have to take the steps that they have.

P.S. I am not a firefighter, nor associated in anyway to one.

no more con jobs wrote on Oct 8, 2008 11:55 AM:First off how much does a firefighter cost with salary, benifits, and pension contributions? Most unions nationwide have been forced to give back previous pay and benefit gains to keep their members employed with the exception of public emploee unions. If these unions were so concerned with their safety as well as that of the general public perhaps they could give up a temporary 1 or 2% in pay and benefits. How about it Fire Fighters Union?

david wrote on Oct 8, 2008 12:14 PM:The Union is an old dying breed that will about to be washed away--like rats!!

TO POLICE STAFFING wrote on Oct 8, 2008 12:26 PM:Good job. Actually there are approximately 10-to-12-cops on the street at any one time. Absolutely outrageous and dangerous.

Police Staffing again wrote on Oct 8, 2008 12:59 PM:I know for a fact that EPD is struggling to meet minimum staffing levels for everyday patrol. They also are finding it extremely difficult to recruit inter county laterals. Who on earth would want to work for a city that prioritizes the arts center and a hotel over public safety. I admire them not compromising on thier standards though. 10-12 cops at any time? So between the hours of 2am to 11am there are 10-12 cops? Not true, and you know that.

What use are blogs... wrote on Oct 8, 2008 1:34 PM:I'm looking at this stream of blogs and wondering just how they contribute to informing the public, or even how they represent a picture of public opinion? First you have the firefighters' union politicos thanking the association -- rather, union, -- for bringing this to the city's attention (on the eve of the wildfire anniversary and a local election.) Strange how this hasn't come up since the budget was passed back nearly four months ago when the staffing was, I guess, approved. Even those of us who are concerned about fire protection and like firefighters as individuals should be able to figure out this is a political hit tactic. Then, there are the bloggers who are looking for anything to inject their spin into the council race, mostly at the expense of the incumbents. I wouldn't be surprised if somehow these partisans blame the incumbents for Iceland's pending bankruptcy, Sen. McCain's skin cancer, Palin's goofy accent, and, of course, the Iraqi War and the Wall Street meltdown. Gotta be the three stooges' fault, somehow! Then there are the union critics who use this to try to tie the firefighters, police and other public agency unions to the likes of Jimmy Hoffa and the mob. Once in a while, you can detect a local politician trying to defend him or herself under a secret name. Very few, very, very few blogs contain any thoughtful reflection of opinion on the subject issue itself; the Escondeteer one is the one exception that comes to mind. And I usually disagree with him or her, but at least this blogger sticks to issues without resorting to personal attacks and in doing so, offers up constructive opinions that are worth taking into consideration. Most -- not all -- the rest of you are little more than partisan and hacks for your respective points of view which makes the stuff at the end of the column of little or no value. So, why am I blogging or for that matter, why do I read this junk? Beats me.

Tis All About the Benefits wrote on Oct 8, 2008 2:24 PM:Wake up and smell the coffee folks. This is all about benefits. By not staffing the truck, the firefighters lose one more potential overtime slot. Save the money, and hire more police.

re to out of touch wrote on Oct 8, 2008 2:28 PM:are you saying that the city endorsed a special property tax on me ( in the form of a bond) to pay for the construction? Then they spent the last 4 years planning the project, only to keep the same staffing. First, Why were these stations needed? Secondly, I assume the city has a fund to replace older buildings, perhaps a capital improvement fund. In your opinion, do you believe the bond would have passed if it was intended for other city buildings? Maybe the city endorsed it under the guise of public safety, so it could use the money on hand for another pet project. Use my tax money wisely.

We need more cops wrote on Oct 8, 2008 3:27 PM:10-12? You're kidding right? Between the hours of 1-6, there are at most 7 cops on the street. That averages out to 1 cop for every 20,000 people. The city is in a state of denial because nothing really bad has occurred in the city and "that's the way it's always been done." Just wait for that one big incident to hit and see how well 7 cops are able to deal with it!

Fire Fighters Union wrote on Oct 8, 2008 3:29 PM:The Fire Fighters Union SUCKS

Bill wrote on Oct 8, 2008 3:37 PM:The union lies to the public, with this fear based stuff. All the chicken littles in town actually believe it and pressure the city to hire new people...More unions dues!

Pretty simple!

To Fire Fighters Union wrote on Oct 8, 2008 3:39 PM:All unions suck!

JF wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:09 PM:Sorry, I accidentally posted as JD earlier.

That being said, the poster at 3:27 wrote, "The city is in a state of denial because nothing really bad has occurred in the city..." That comment was in reference to cops, but it applies just as well to firefighters.

Folks, I have no connection to the Escondido Firefighters Association. I couldn't care less how many members they have or how much they make. I do care about firefighter safety. How do you deny the study that the city of Providence did that showed a 74% reduction in time lost to workers comp when staffing increased from 3 to 4. The city did that study, not the union.

Yes, other cities staff with 3. Does that mean it's safe and efficient? If other kids jumped off the bridge would you? Yes, that's about how effective that argument is.

Sorry you all hate unions. In this case, it's not about more pay or benefits, it's only about safety and efficiency.

Solution Guy wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:26 PM:The firefighters union is selfish. They should go away.

Native wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:45 PM:The public employee unions will bankrupt this city.

Fred wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:41 PM:Wake up and smell the coffee folks.
Someone who is running for Council,has a husband who is a FIREMAN....
She is also running on a platform of,hire more FIREMEN.......

To what use are blogs wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:51 PM:You foolishly fail to realize how Abed and Gallo are responsible for all sorts of other social problems, like uneven treadware, jock itch and Canada.

Come On Baby Light My Fire wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:41 PM:Who are you naysayers going to complain to when your houses burn down because we don't have enough firefighters? You can't have your cake and eat it too...safety has a price.

Fred is wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:43 PM:Fred get your facts straight before you make an idiot out of yourself. Not one of the running council members has a husband in the Fire dept. But maybe if you did a little research before you make false acusations you would know better. The truth is that one member that is running for council has a husband that works for the POLICE DEPT. ... Have a good night.

To fred... wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:45 PM:I believe her husband is not a fireman...check your facts

vote no wrote on Oct 9, 2008 12:54 PM:I don't vote for candidates endorsed or financed by public employee unions. In the near future cities will be bankrupted by employee pensions, and those responsible will be long gone.

To Fred wrote on Oct 9, 2008 1:11 PM:Well Fred. Looks like you don't have your facts together. I will be sure to dismiss all your future posts because you care not about the facts.

Vote for Olga Diaz - her husband is a Lieutenant with the Escondido Police Department! Her husband is highly respected. No self-respecting officer would ever be married to someone who supported criminals (despite what some people may want you to believe)!

As a resident of Escondido, I truly believe that our public employees should live in the city! Why? Because the city is really one of the last avenues left for Escondido to have high-paying jobs within our city! Our city is almost built out and the area left for economic growth (through business addition) is limited! We need our employees to work here! Check out the guy that is running for San Marcos school board - he works for the city of Escondido - yet lives in SM. I have lost a bit of faith in the man because I do not feel he has a real understanding of what it is like to be a resident of Escondido - he has no connection - he only works here then he goes home. My husband works in Sorrento Valley - he doesn't hang out in Sorrento Valley - he goes to work and then comes home. He lives, shops and pays taxes in Escondido. How can any of our city's employees really make decisions for Escondido - when they don't live here? I don't like it and I hope it changes. When positions become available, they should be filled with quality candidates who reside in Escondido! That would definately be one way to bring in the college educated and bright individuals and improve the image of the city! Because these new city employees will have a vested interest in the city - because they will live here!!

I support the candidates that are looking to move the city forward economically! I support the college educated individuals with degrees and a strong portfolio in finances! I support Olga Diaz and Richard Barron!

Quality Candidates for a Quality Escondido!!

Esco Hayseed wrote on Oct 9, 2008 3:16 PM:TO:
no more con jobs
Oct 8, 2008 11:55 AM
??????????????????????????????????

MOST UNIONS NATIONWIDE DO NOT HAVE A CITY COUNCIL THAT GIVES A WEATHLY HOTEL DEVELOPER $18 MILLION DOLLARS WHILE THEY ALSO POST A - $9.8 MILLION DEFICIT
AND VOTE THEMSELVES A RAISE!

THE CON JOB IS BEING DONE BY THE COUNCIL! ABED & GALLO WANT VOTERS TO
RE ELECT THEM TO CONTINUE THE FLEECING OF ESCONDIDO!
OPEN YOUR EYES VOTE THEM OUT!

NO, I AM NOT A FIREFIGHTER .
YES, I SUPPORT THEM.
IF ,I say IF, we ever have a 9/11 here or anything close to it.We would ALL be happy to pay whatever these first responders wanted to save our a**ses.
I would rather have those 9 Firefighters / additional Police Officers over a $250,000.00 Stop light that is not needed.I can do without a Hotel in a town that no one wants to spend the night in.Can you honestly tell me that there is someone who wants to pay 5star hotel prices to see a stop light or maybe they want to visit the 100 year old damn that is ready to burst and flood the town.Escondido has 1700 homes in foreclosure and this council gives $18 million to build a hotel.When is this nightmare going to end?
Begin the Escondido City Council clean out Nov 4 2008
Vote them OUT
Goodbye Abed Gallo

Hot Potato wrote on Oct 9, 2008 11:26 PM:YOU SAID,
CITIZEN AT RISK
[-] wrote on Oct 8, 2008 9:07 AM:Next time you are injured or your house is on fire call Olga or a council member.
---------------------------------------

my response,

Two years ago I was in my wheelchair listening to local people at a forum who were running for council. The table in front of me collapsed leaving me in a mess ,unable to do anything to help myself.The ONLY person to jump to her feet and assist me was OLGA DIAZ.I didn't have to call her...she immediately volunteered her help.The rest sat there like bumps on a log.
So...you obviously do not know her.
As for the current council aiding anyone,just look around you at the mess this city is in.We no longer need their sort of "help."
Vote them all out! Two seats in 08 ,
3 seats in 2010.

Oh...and one more thing...Escondido Fire/EMT have never failed me.
It's the Council that has failed us all as a city.Look around.Why can't the City afford more firefighters? Because they mismanaged MILLIONS and they are still at it.
VOTE NOV 2008
Goodbye Abed Gallo

Attention wrote on Oct 12, 2008 8:59 PM:Do you know the police (SWAT) don't have an armored vehicle?

Just a thought wrote on Oct 13, 2008 3:42 PM:There are, and always have been, options available for EFD to increase staffing and provide proper coverage with fully qualified, equally trained & educated, firefighters. EFD used to operate paid-call, cadet, and reserve programs. Reserves that get "hired" have gone through the same CASFF1 academy, have the EMT experience, and in most cases medic training as their paid counter-parts. The unions argue that public safety is at risk without proper man-power; yet, none of these programs were realized to their full potential mostly because of union resistance. In fact, the last reserve firefighter program was eliminated because of union resistance. I'm not saying the new stations should be all reserve but the City could consider to augment and balnce man-power by using available viable options. Reserves cost the city and taxpayers, nothing in terms of salary and retirement. There are of course some costs incurred with equipping reserves with uniforms, personal protective equipment, and insurance coverage but those are very low costs compared to the annual and lifetime costs of full-time paid FFs. So why would the union oppose this no/low-cost additional staffing? Simple they are primarily about self preservation, keeping their jobs, and generating dues paying members ONLY!

When wrote on Oct 13, 2008 10:07 PM:did the union oppose this "no/low cost additional staffing"? Does any other city in the county have this type of program? Did you read the flyer that came out? I recieved it and read it. It is their point of view, the city has theirs. I've heard both sides of the story because I listened to the press confrence and talked to people at city hall. I have also talked with people at the FD although I had to wait until they were off duty. Since I pay for the service I want to be informed. I don't agree with the city and I don't necessarily agree with the firefighters. I do believe that cutting an ambulance from the city is not a good idea.