2014-04-28 reg Part 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

directly involved in an election”. People do not give up their basic rights as citizens because they work as firefighters. She then asked that the City Council restore fairness and decency by calling on Mr. Walker to rescind his action against the firefighters. Council members should also require Mr. Walker to be responsive to citizen’s questions and concerns. She stated that Mr. Walker had never th answered the letter she sent to him on April the 15. Ms. Hummel stated that while she knows that this was the decision of Mr. Walker and not Council, Council does hire the City Manager, and they may also fire the City Manager. Jeff Proctor, 115 Mcmanamy Road Mr. Proctor, the firefighters’ Union representative, stated that the Union represents approximately 2100 members throughout seven counties in the region. With respect to public safety concerns in University City he would note that thirty line firefighters are doing the job of forty line firefighters. And that creates a concern for the toll that it is taking on his members. Mr. Proctor stated that the only thing he can think of regarding the discrepancy in the number of remaining firefighters is that the numbers provided include administrative staff, which should not be applied to the numbers or the real need for forty line firefighters. He stated that with respect to the comments about neighboring departments helping to offset the burden that this shortage of manpower it is creating, he would ask Council, as well as the citizens of this City, to find this Mutual Agreement document, because based on his understanding that agreement has not been reached. Mr. Proctor stated that he would like to read the following quote with respect to the penalty that was imposed, “Reality can be so complex that equally valid observations from differing perspectives can appear contradictory”. He stated that there has also been some conversation surrounding the days of suspension, with Mr. Walker stating thirty days. Mr. Proctor stated that for most individuals that would be thirty, eight hour days, which would translate into 240 hours off the job. But for firefighters who work 24 hour shifts that thirty day suspension would translate into 720 hours off the job. Mr. Proctor stated that the Revised Missouri Statute states, “No political subdivision of this state shall prohibit any first responder,” and those five firefighters are not a political subdivision. So while the City’s own administrative regulations; that they have not had time to bring into compliance with the State law allows for this, you can see the quandary that this puts the Union in. Stephen Arnold, 7305 Forsyth Mr. Arnold stated that he is incensed, humiliated and embarrassed by this City. He said he introduced himself and informed Mr. Walker that he felt as though his personal property and safety was being threatened as a result of the City’s actions. He stated that Mr. Walker starred at him like a deer in headlights while politely listening and then got up, walked around to the back of his desk, and told the lady to call the police. Mr. Arnold stated that at that point he asked Mr. Walker if he would like him to leave and his response was, “Mr. Arnold, you should leave”. He stated that he had no idea why Mr. Walker called the police, but while in his car at Delmar and Jackson he noticed three University City police cars following him. Mr. Arnold stated that Sergeant Davis and another officer approached him, asked to see his driver’s license and then asked him if there had been a disturbance. He stated that he has operated his own business for over forty-five years, so he is a rational person. Mr. Arnold stated that this administration should be ashamed of itself for employing this type of an employee and for what they are doing to these first responders. He stated that every member of Council trusts their families and their property to these first responders who don’t question anything about running into a house on fire, and yet they are dragging them and this City into becoming the laughing stock of St. Louis. Mr. Arnold then demanded an apology from the City and Mr. Walker. John Patterson, 511 North Central Mr. Patterson stated that he has been a proud citizen of University City all of his life and is ashamed of this whole situation. Aleta Klein, 7021 Amherst Avenue Ms. Klein asked Mayor Welsch and Mr. Walker why they are stretching, pulling and trying to work around disciplining these firefighters who put their lives on the line everyday for her family and members of her community.