Station 5 May Close-Value of a human life in Racine-not even $3.50
$240,000 that’s it. To keep a fire station open and not lose 3 firefighters. As on July 2011 our population was 78,853. That amounts to $3.08 per resident. The cost of a good cup of coffee, a happy meal, or a gallon of milk.
Guess that is too expensive for the Mayor of Racine. Humble Park Fire Station may be forced to close, response times that have already risen since the City of Racine shut down the Marquette Station will rise even more.
The City talks of Quality of Life for residents, zoos, beaches, Festival Hall. For the Racine Fire Department quality of life to them, means saving someones life, possibly stopping a house from burning down.To first responders the most important time is the first 5 minutes not what happens after 5 hours.
In this day and age a persons house during a fire can flash over in 3 minutes and 30 seconds. Not a lot of time, even more of a chance for loss of life and total destruction to your home or business if Mayor Dickert has his way with the cut. The Racine Fire Department did a time study, their study shows that in normal traffic for a RFD unit to get from Lombard Ave to the Southside of Racine 18 minutes. Does anyone want to wait 18 minutes in an emergency?
During the meeting. Mayor Dickert complained about MABAS Alerts that were abused by Caledonia and Mount Pleasant, they said that it drains our resources and that the city is number one. If we close a station… What do people think will happen? MABAS Alerts (Mutual Aid Box Alarms) to those other jurisdictions that he complained about tonight would rise for them to come to the aid of Racine residents.. We contract services to other areas including Elmwood Park, they would have to pay more and get even less if Humble Park station closes. The area affected is heavily populated with schools, residences, businesses including areas out to Regency Mall and south to Chicory Road. 85% of calls are rescue related, the other 15% is fire related. If a person is having a heart attack, those response times go up, in reality you may not make it, if your house starts on fire, the damage could be extensive or a total loss now with an increased response time. Why? Because Mayor Dickert doesn’t want to spend $240,000.
They can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on new bathrooms, hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep Festival Hall running with an estimated projected loss of $278,000, and they will spend $250,000 on new playground equipment. Some may say “Well that’s in a different part of the fund”. Last I understood all that money comes from OUR POCKETS that funds what runs City Hall.
When questioned by aldermen, as to if having the three fireman was a WANT or a NEED, the Racine Fire Chief responded it was his professional opinion that it’s a need. Alderman Dennis Wiser, never questioned anything during the three hour budget hearing, his district is 100% affected by the proposed changes. Alderman Greg Helding is also affected in his district 100% but he feels that it would be beneficial to spend aprox $145,000 buy a new ambulance for Humble Park and still get rid of 3 fireman. It was also noted during the presentation that one year the Racine Fire Department had a surplus and have to transfer $100,000 to the City Attorney’s office.
There are many alderman that appear or have come right out and stated that they are opposed to jeopardizing the lives of Racine residents. My personal observations would be that the following aldermen would vote no to the budget as it stands no : Weidner, Hart, Shields, Fair, DeHahn, Helding.
Guess it will be on to the next meeting to find out the next step.
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I just sent a letter to my alderman, James Morgenroth, in support of voting no to the budget in it’s current form and keeping Station 5 open. I urge everyone else to do the same.
smitty023
11/01/2012 at 8:36 am
Hey, Helding is one of the biggest “it’s in a different part of the fund” guys. We should close more firehouses to put it all in a rainy day fund in case Dickert gets sued again or he wants to throw more money at failed “businessmen”.
Harold
11/01/2012 at 9:14 am
Fund 993 is the City of Racine’s Bonded Capital Projects fund (think credit card) – it’s the money the City Borrows via Bonds (credit) – to pay for things. The City has budgeted for 9 million in new bonds (borrowing).
Meanwhile, debt service has grown 6.03% to $14.9 Million.
What is the City borrowing money (credit card) for? $246,000 goes to the Civic Centre to purchase various items including stadium seating and a dance floor. $650,000 goes to City Hall for the Facilities Plan – the same funds that brought you $420,000 bathrooms. $125,000 for Decorative LED Lighting. LED light upgrades at King Center $59,000. LED light upgrades at Humble Center $70,000. Pershing Boat Launch Lot Replacement $137,000. City wide tree inventory $45,000. Dodge Park playground Equipment $45,000, Lake Michigan Pathway $220,000… and the list goes on and on. See the 2013 Proposed Budget – Bonded Capital Projects.
Tricky Dicky
11/01/2012 at 9:53 am
Revealing the Smoke and Mirrors that is John Dickert:
In these tough economic times, when the Mayor is crying “I’M BROKE – Donate and Volunteer” the REAL John Dickert can be found in the numbers. From the 2013 Proposed Budget:
The 2012 Budget, under City Administration had 4 positions authorized: Mayor, City Admin., Grant Facilitator and Assistant, with a salary and fringe benefit of $351,423 – divide by 4 = $87,855.75/position avg.
The 2013 Budget, under City Administration has 3 positions authorized: Mayor, City Admin., and Assistant, with a salary and fringe benefit of $276,993 – divide by 3 = $92,331/position avg. Nice little raises there boys… in these times when non-profits are asked to donate…
John Dickert is Looting a City of Ill Repute in PLAIN SIGHT and thinks the residents are asleep and the business community is mind numb and plain dumb. He is correct. The gamble to become Mayor has paid off well. Look at the fate of Gordon Bittner – multiple foreclosures!!! Real Estate in the City can only be played at for a loss – which is why it can only be done successfully with tax dollars.
$6,000 for mileage. $13,000 for travel expenses – Is John planning another overseas adventure to visit, let’s say, fish farms? $7,000 for memberships – buys you access and prestige – right? $2,500 for telephone! There is no shame at City Haul (sic) where only the best will do – no matter who or what gets cut.
Tricky Dicky
11/01/2012 at 10:39 am
Received this note back from Ald. James Morgenroth:
Dear Mr. Smith:
As I write to you I am working with Aldermen Helding and Hart to
stop this closure. In any event I will vote against this action.
Sincerely yours,
Aldeman Jim Morgenroth
smitty023
11/01/2012 at 11:46 am
I have NO idea why the people of Ratcine haven’t recalled Dinkert!!!???
Pizzaman
11/01/2012 at 1:53 pm
The momentum is there for a recall. The spring/summer would be the best time to collect the 8900 signatures required. All it would take is 100 motivated people collecting only 89 signatures each.
lakem
11/01/2012 at 9:58 pm
I agree with closing down the fire station. Close them all down for that matter. Keep the paramedics – lose the fire fighters. They make alot more than I do, yet I am part of our economy! get rid of half the police force while your at it, Mr. Mayor. I know I don’t need them!
slippedmymind
11/02/2012 at 9:28 pm