Morristown FD & PD

[Davis]

I have heard through the grape vines that the city is thinking about laying off some of its firefighters and officers. Is this true? I am sure there are other places that the city could cut jobs besides the people who protect and serve the community.

[Renee750il]

I don't know about it being a good idea to lay off firefighters right before the holiday season when there are a lot of accidents and fires, but they could dump a bunch of the rooks on the MPD. Besides, they have traffic cams all over the place now, that should eliminate the need for a few traffic cops.

Gotta wonder what they're doing with all the revenue those cameras are bringing in ...

[CreditDoctor]

I thought all of the Morristown Firefighters were volunteers? Am I mistaken?

[SISTER]

I HEARD THAT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WAS GOING TO LAY OFF

[Renee750il]

No, there are paid, professional firefighters in Morristown, along with the volunteer fire departments.

[Renee750il]

SISTER wrote:

I HEARD THAT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WAS GOING TO LAY OFF

Gotta wonder how much of this cut back and layoff gossip is being intentionally filtered out to the public to make us accept more taxes and/or more revenue -- errr, I mean traffic cameras.

[CreditDoctor]

Interesting. Odd but interesting. So who decides who gets paid and who volunteers? Forget it don't asnwer that... Thanks.

[LMAO]

CreditDoctor wrote:

I thought all of the Morristown Firefighters were volunteers? Am I mistaken?

Yes you are mistaken. The county is volunteer, and the City is Paid. If people on here would stop with the bull and look around and see what is really going on in this town you would be real suprized. The city is starting to make cuts across the board including pay cutts and people losing there jobs. The police department have started running 2 people in some cars on all 3 shifts. The fire department is about to lay off 3 possibly 4 people within the next few weeks. If you want to see how bad it is try coming to the City Council Meeting on the 17th of this month at 4:00PM at the City Center. You will get a good glimpse of how the taxes are probably fixing to jump, hotel motel tax is probably going in, and a new fee for trash pick up. For those of you that don't have a clue it would be a good thing for you to see. The City of Morristown is on the verge of being bankrupt they just want admitt it to the citizens. All departments in the city are taking cuts and it all falls back to Jim Crummley, and the Council members that voted to hire him. Good luck to everyone that lives and the city, and say a prayer for the ones that are going to be trying to protect and serve the citizens with less manpower and less equipment.

[Renee750il]

The professional fire departments and the volunteer fire departments aren't officially connected in any way. The volunteers have their own facilities, equipment, etc., so it's not a question of who decides. Morristown is the first place I've ever lived that had volunteer fire departments. I've always thought it was kinda neat.

[LMAO]

Renee750il wrote:

<quoted text>
Gotta wonder how much of this cut back and layoff gossip is being intentionally filtered out to the public to make us accept more taxes and/or more revenue -- errr, I mean traffic cameras.

Its not a rumor. I know that for a fact because I work for the city and I know 5 of the men very well that are about to lose there jobs. How bad I wished it was a rumor that someone had started on here this time.

[LMAO]

Jason wrote:

I would be happy if they disbanded the whole police dept.
They are nothing but liars and thieves.
The biggest criminals in town wear a MPD badge.

Jason, the reason you feel that way is because you got busted by them. Hate that ya feel that way, but you are the one who got caught by the ones doing there job......

[The East Grad]

Jason wrote:

I would be happy if they disbanded the whole police dept.
They are nothing but liars and thieves.
The biggest criminals in town wear a MPD badge.

So true and a better observation couldn't have been made.

[CreditDoctor]

Renee750il wrote:

The professional fire departments and the volunteer fire departments aren't officially connected in any way. The volunteers have their own facilities, equipment, etc., so it's not a question of who decides. Morristown is the first place I've ever lived that had volunteer fire departments. I've always thought it was kinda neat.

Yes it was confusing for me to grasp as I have never heard of a volunteer anything. LOL...

[CreditDoctor]

I still don't understand why property taxes aren't used for such things as Schools, Police, FIre, Trash COllection and so on. I know everyone hates higher taxes but on the same token iI believe they are very cheap thus giving us a poor town. Not quite sure how it works in Morristown but its not as good as it could be here.. It will never be Miami but our schools weren't as poor as the ones here... It makes no sense to me at all.

[Renee750il]

Sorry that there are more people losing jobs. This area has taken some hard hits in the past several years.

I'll bet our estimable council does have every intention of using this as a way to further their extortion though. Gotta wonder how many people's pay got sucked down the drain in that fiasco with the ex-city manager.

[LMAO]

Renee750il wrote:

The professional fire departments and the volunteer fire departments aren't officially connected in any way. The volunteers have their own facilities, equipment, etc., so it's not a question of who decides. Morristown is the first place I've ever lived that had volunteer fire departments. I've always thought it was kinda neat.

What most people don't know is that over half of the United States is protected by Volunteer Fire Departments or what is called a Combination Department which is made up of a certain number of Full time Firefighters, and a certain number of Volunteer Firefighters. This is how Jefferson City used to be. As far as the Volunteers go here in Hamblen County they do the best they can with what they have. The County Government only gives each Department around $40,000.00 a year to operate on. That is why you see them out trying to raise money.$40,000.00 a year compared to the Cities 6 or 7 million dollar a year budget. Go figure.

[LMAO]

CreditDoctor wrote:

I still don't understand why property taxes aren't used for such things as Schools, Police, FIre, Trash COllection and so on. I know everyone hates higher taxes but on the same token iI believe they are very cheap thus giving us a poor town. Not quite sure how it works in Morristown but its not as good as it could be here.. It will never be Miami but our schools weren't as poor as the ones here... It makes no sense to me at all.

Buckle up my friend because it is only going to get worse. The real storm has not hit yet. All they are doing at the moment is trying to make it to the next budget cycle. When it gets here I am afraid you are going to see allot of changes.

[LMAO]

Renee750il wrote:

<quoted text>
Gotta wonder how much of this cut back and layoff gossip is being intentionally filtered out to the public to make us accept more taxes and/or more revenue -- errr, I mean traffic cameras.

Ya know I have listened to all the bull about the trafic cameras that have been put up here in town. The fact of the matter is that people are just mad because they are getting caught breaking the law by speeding or running threw red lights. The cameras that have been put up have not given anyone a ticket or fined anyone that was not guilty. Simple as that. Obey the laws and you don't have to worry about the cameras. I hope how soon that they are at every redlight in town. If the cameras were making all the money that people want to get on here and lie about then I would not have friends losing there jobs at the City Fire Departments and Police Departments or at the Public Works Departments. A speeding ticket costs $50.00 through a camera. I know that because I have received my little letter in the mail already. Get stopped by an City Officer or even worse by a State Officer, and see what that one costs you. The last time I got caught by the State was probably10 years ago and it cost $102.

[Davis]

I can not remember the exact city, but I recieved an e-mail a few weeks ago about an incident that involved a young child. The child went into sudden cardiac arrest, the family lived just 1 mile from the firehouse that should have responded to there home. The problem was that the firehouse was shut down due to layoffs, so the Engine Co. that had to take the call was about 10-15 min away, the child died. This is what will happen if we shut down firehouses, and layoff firefighters. Also homes and offices will be without close fire protection.

[mechanically inclined]

LMAO wrote:

<quoted text>
Ya know I have listened to all the bull about the trafic cameras that have been put up here in town. The fact of the matter is that people are just mad because they are getting caught breaking the law by speeding or running threw red lights. The cameras that have been put up have not given anyone a ticket or fined anyone that was not guilty. Simple as that. Obey the laws and you don't have to worry about the cameras. I hope how soon that they are at every redlight in town. If the cameras were making all the money that people want to get on here and lie about then I would not have friends losing there jobs at the City Fire Departments and Police Departments or at the Public Works Departments. A speeding ticket costs $50.00 through a camera. I know that because I have received my little letter in the mail already. Get stopped by an City Officer or even worse by a State Officer, and see what that one costs you. The last time I got caught by the State was probably10 years ago and it cost $102.

Ah, right on time! I see one of our esteemed local traffic enforcement sackriders has arrived to scold and talk sh!t to all the "regular" drivers (aka anarchists with no regard for the law) who do not drive in such a robotic and careful manner as yourself.

You're the type who sets his cruise 1mph under the posted limit, and adjusts his speed within 50 yards of each speed limit sign change. Turns his wipers and lights on at the first sign of mist or sprinkles. Signals before changing lanes. Comes to a full and complete stop at stop signs for a full 2 seconds even in the middle of nowhere at 2am. Checks his tire pressure and all external lighting, and performs a quick safety check before entering his vehicle each day.

You never accelerate to make it through a yellow light, you never coast downhill at 5mph over the limit, you never roll through a stopsign, and you never turn right on red without coming to a full and complete stop.

Because of this, you applaud any traffic law enforcement tactics employed by the PD and city council, including artificially low speed limits and camera enforcement/ticketing which is a violation of the basic rights of each citizen.

Bullsh!t, hypocrite, go feed your crap to someone else.