Looking Backwards in Ohio

XENIA, OHIO, HAS THE DISTINCTION OF BEING the only town in the United States that begins with the letter “X.”  But apparently the small city (pop. 24,000) has elected some small-minded people to the city council.  These people have a puzzling animosity toward their firefighters and police officers as evidenced by their recent actions and comments.

About four months ago they laid off six firefighters, closed a fire station and eliminated six police officer positions, relegating public safety lower than some other city agencies.  Now, thanks to the researchers at FirefighterCloseCalls.com, this video has been discovered from a city council meeting last month.  During the portion covered in the video, these financial wizards are contemplating requiring the firefighters to purchase their own turnout gear.  After all, as one nitwit announces, carpenters have to buy their own tools.  A great idea!  Let’s make the police officers buy their own bullet-proof vests, too!  (He actually proposes this.)

The recent layoffs came in retaliation for the voters not approving an income tax increase in May.  Now the tax increase proposal is back on the ballot for the November 2 elections and they are promising to restore the laid off FF’s and police.  From the city’s website is this explanation of the new charter amendment:

ISSUE 9:

Due to the failure of Issue 7 on May 4, 2010, to increase the City’s income tax rate by one-half of one percent, the City Council has passed legislation  to place this measure back on the ballot on November 2, 2010.  The need for funding still exists … for both public safety funding as well as capital improvement funding.  As you know, after the failure of the levy on May 4th, six (6) firefighters and three (3) police officers were laid off, three (3) recently vacated police officer positions remained unfilled, and Fire Station No. 2 on Second Street was closed.  If Issue 9 is passed, all 12 Public Safety positions will be immediately reinstated and Fire Station No. 2 will be reopened.  (emphasis added by Firegeezer.)

Fire Station 2 (sometimes)

The police and firefighters unions had a vigorous grass-roots campaign to get a minimum-manning requirement added to the City Charter on this upcoming ballot, a move that angered the council who don’t like the unwashed deciding what’s best for themselves, as you can see in this next posting from the website:

ISSUE 10:

Issue 10 is a proposed Charter amendment initiated by police and fire personnel and the Get Alarmed Citizens of Xenia PAC to require levels of manning for the Police and Fire Divisions even if no money is available.  The Xenia City Council strongly opposes  Issue 10.  (emphasis placed by City Council.)  If Issue 9 fails and Issue 10 is approved, the City would be required to immediately reinstate the 6 police officer positions and 6 firefighter positions that were laid off in June 2010, as well as hire an additional 3 firefighters.  The public safety manning levels would be set by Charter regardless of the financial position of the City.  Without additional funding (if Issue 9 fails), the City’s cash reserve (aka Rainy Day fund) would be depleted by 2013 and the City would be bankrupt.  Please remember that the City is already making a $6 million transfer (based on 2009 numbers) from the General Fund for Public Safety expenses.  Further, there would be NO FUNDING available for ANY street improvements, capital purchases, fleet replacements, etc.  THE BOTTOM LINE:  The Xenia City Council has every intention to reinstate the 12 laid off public safety employees IF ISSUE 9 IS APPROVED.  Minimum Manning requirement levels set by Charter are not necessary to ensure your safety and would only serve to put your City in an even more unstable financial environment.

It’s hard to believe that some citizens are still electing people with this kind of mindset to handle their city’s affairs.  No wonder they’re broke.

ISSUE 11

Issue 11 is a proposed Charter amendment initiated by City Council to give the City the option of supplementing the safety services with part-time and/or temporary employees and volunteers.  Additional funding will still be needed to support existing safety service levels.

The question on the ballot:

ARTICLE XVI:  SAFETY SERVICES

 The Safety Director may utilize volunteers, temporary and/or part-time firefighters, emergency medical technicians, auxiliary police officers, and/or part-time police officers as a part of any manning requirements.

 This amendment shall become effective and take effect immediately upon passage by the voters.

So there you go.  If the citizens approve both Issue 10 and Issue 11, then the small minds on the council will just fill the slots with part-timers and volunteers, none of whom are currently in existence.  Have they even considered the expense of training volunteers these days?  The animosity of some of the councilmen toward their public safety personnel is unbelievable.

CLICK HERE to read the entire ballot descriptions on the Xenia city website.
Xenia Fire Division WEBSITE.