The story that never dies

It appears the “big story” this upcoming week is going to be the Beaumont firefighter pay & manpower dispute.

The battle lines are drawn in the arena of area bloggers.
There seems to be a lot of momentum against the firemen.

I am an outsider looking in on this issue in that I am not a fireman… I don’t live in Beaumont… both of which give me, I believe, the ability to look at this a little more objectively than some folks.

Of all the things we can be pinching pennies, or dollars, on… why does it have to be the fire department.

Yep, they want a huge raise.

Yep, they want more than other city workers.

They are also some of the few city workers who have lives in their hands every day.

Firefighters and cops have to deal with stresses that I can’t even imagine.

There are a lot more people who could do the job of a clerk, a sanitation worker or inspector than there are people who can do the job of firefighter.

Because of this, they should be paid more.

This is the same logic in giving Kyle Hayes such a good salary.

Not many people could do his job.

The firemen have done a real good job at getting their message out.

They bought ads in the paper giving their side of the story… they have come to the station to give their side of the story… we haven’t been able to get the city top dogs to do that.

Playing devils advocate, I wonder if city leadersare under legal restrictions that prevent them from speaking out…. or political pressures that make them want to be mostly silent on the issue.

Who knows?

Bottom line?

Is there no other place the city of Beaumont can cut the budget?

What are the long-range numbers?

Everyone is talking about expansion and an increasing tax base, so is giving the firemen what they want really something that is so difficult?

What will come out of Monday’s meeting that will change minds on either side of the issue?
We’ll see.