OK, so I don't read the paper first thing in the morning, but I do read it. Thank you Glenn Cook for your commentary on the hardship Clark County Firefighters face upon retirement.
While my outrage is not with the firefighters directly, I take issue with those who stand by and watch (Nevada State Assembly District 16, John Oceguera) the County slip further into despair. This situation is similar to what I stated a previous post concerning contracts: the County entered into this contract and have only themselves to blame. However, Mr. Cook, you are dead on in requesting that the firefighters willingly give up some of their pay/benefit increases. Do not the firefighters understand it is their neighbors who are paying their salaries? The very same neighbors who are struggling to not just to pay bills, but to put food on their tables.
Mr. Oceguera, your own Union accepted concessions in North Las Vegas to help in keeping that jurisdiction from feeling the pains of the economic crunch. Now, I do not like it when anyone, much less a politician, or anyone in a position of power, to strongarm another entity or person into doing something they are not comfortable with. But, Mr. Oceguera, I would think that with your status in the legislature, and your rank in the North Las Vegas Fire Department, you could "assist" the Clark County Fire Department in finding a method of pay/benefit decreases satisfactory for all. Come on John, show District 16, part of Clark County, why we should maintain your services in Carson City.
Maybe you do not belong to the Firefighters Union, and thus do not care about the pay in NLV, or Clark County. In the Culinary world, as you move up the ladder into management you are no longer a member of the Union. Is that the case with Firefighters?
I guess the bottom line is twofold:
1) Clark County Firefighters needs to get a grip. Yes, you deserve considerable pay for your job, but why are you so special so as to not to feel the effects of the economy?
2) John Oceguera, the voters of AD 16 put you in office for a reason...show us why!
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OK, so I should have read the comments to the article before posting. But really, it boils down to two things (other than my comments for Mr. Oceguera):
1) Everyone makes a choice; the County chose to pay the firefighters that amount, and the firefighters chose to work with little or no sleep, double shifts which cause a lack of family time, etc.
2) The firefighters should, as a gesture of goodwill to the community, decrease there pay/benefit package for 1-3 years.
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