Firefighters want more money. What does the mayor elect have to say about that?
“We will meet with them and give them a contract that is fair to Houstonian taxpayers and the firefighters,” Whitmire said at his victory party earlier this month. “Can you imagine a city suing their first responders? We couldn’t make it without them.” source
As president of the civic club, I support the firefighters and have encouraged the board to donate to the firefighters of Station 68 in the past. That station lost four first responders, in 2013.
I signed the firefighter’s petition for parity with the police department and voted in favor when the citizens of Houston passed the petition. I tell people when people run away, firefighters go in to save people.
However, the City of Houston has a pool of money, and the pool will not get bigger because Whitmire is the new mayor. So he will have to rob Peter to pay Paul. I certainly hope he can make a rabbit come out of the hat, but I don’t believe in magic. Maybe he will ask Congresswoman Lee if she is re-elected to Congress to get some federal dollars to pay for the “Fairness.”
I am glad a Democratic Precinct Chair has reservations about “Trust.”