The Most Unpatriotic Officials in the Nation?

We're gonna go now we have on the line. One of the politicians that Bob McCarthy. President of the professional firefighters. Massachusetts called one of the more unpatriotic. Politicians and in the country which you know that's tough thing to -- we're -- a lot of tell us what's happening down its Oden. A lot of people that think the captain Doug Campbell should be. Get -- penny that he got when he was here is over and serving -- our country in Iraq. As a member of the air National Guard. So on the line right now joining us is selectmen show. Christine it's like -- got there. Good -- -- -- -- well thank you hard to tell me what's accidents like when Joe there a lot of people who are a little a little bothered by this and I know that you're saying that it's not as one sided as it's appearing in the presser. Where is Bob McCarthy will have us believe. But for me selectmen -- before -- let you weigh in here. It does seem like sort of a one sided issue and and I'm trying to figure out where the other side is so that's why we were glad you're joining us. And I think it was appropriate try the this issue is one sided and or any one person to call another American unpatriotic. Still I don't really take much value and coming from -- of the union president. That was membership now and you know probably -- Google directions the final whistle was an all except that it. Individual person. This motion was made by the board of selectmen and right after -- Latin it's tragic events of September 11. Which we believe we should stand by all of our employees that they called up to military service. The board of selectmen that China is still does the united. To do what's right all of our employees. Okay now the the difference here did the fight between you guys the -- Oden and the firefighters though is whether or not. You know certain certain benefits certain parks should be allowed. Four attacking Campbell while he's in Iraq and also beyond that. Whether or not other firefighters have to cover his shaft correct. Right beauty you to get your facts wrong on that he's the reason that the Irish -- -- these fire department to members of our department a covering the ship is. That they chose to cover the -- The board of selectmen sentiment memorandum of agreement that net income. Together as a result of our town attorneys and their bargaining attorney. And hit have been offered to them months ago they refused to sign. Instead of signing a memorandum of agreement which are required because it is union's contract. The board of selectmen required at this memorandum of agreement they refused to sign. They decided instead to cover the ships and make this a political issue. There's -- nothing to do with Doug Campbell and we're proud of Doug Campbell in his Stanley and we're proud of everyone is that the -- got -- look in the military forces in defending our country. But you know we have you know a is not a big pot of money that we pulled from our money that we -- firefighters up police and everybody the -- out -- some tax dollars in the community -- appropriately. And and and that's a that's a fair point selectmen -- there's a lot of people here lining up. To talk to you might take a few calls us. What was -- -- was startled about the elected people to know what's important is that you know what we did is we we know that -- on the military is well. Gives people hauled up on military service a lot of benefit. Such as housing allowances I think a possible case you know European hostile fire which you know -- everything they're entitled to. Hardship case substances case it was separation. When they're overseas democratic -- -- 26%. All the taxes that it reimbursed to the person which there you know that they're covered by. What we -- down to do is to make sure that is. Pay his salary did not change. Right the -- differential we you know we got that part -- when -- I cut a got a couple people here who want to talk to -- excellent 7666868. David inland. You're almost -- -- selectmen Joe from -- Yes good afternoon settlement they know they need to do. It select an eagle without respect them -- -- and but enough about you know that -- -- -- -- is -- do you Matta welcomed the fact of the matter is another stab in the military selectmen yes and now. No I haven't. Okay so well. It. Yeah are typical -- operations. You know wouldn't save some. First of all I don't know what story is great what's going to go in this services -- Act that's a congressman he wants to your web -- -- the I didn't get I didn't hate western. I'm sure you understand a lot inserting ads -- reserve is -- yet they do. Okay you rewrite the when he went when tactic -- Welcome back he -- everything restored as it was instead he basically. Let it correct. Why don't -- correct. I don't know about ABBA ABBA father reservists OK in my employees. Don't economic and that they are gone into the property aren't we doing that with pain the -- what many -- problem and you -- -- -- the people -- liberal okay I got a problem with people like you. I'd David let's David thanks for the call it's let's keep it civil here. We understand that there's there's a debate going on between what out of town and and the firefighters here but what more. Things their way around join this. You know this has been. All brought on by the that we didn't do everything you want -- an episode that. I mean this has been nothing more we are offering all benefits. We're offering pay Rockford health benefits. Accrual vacation time volleys on. And -- just use -- vacation I'm back in addition to the ninety days to get in the military that we cap on a but it just to offer something. Like -- incident of school. Offers something like a bonus -- calling in sick. You know I mean these -- the things that you know firefighters union fighting over. Well and you don't we have we have a budget in overtime alone without fire department will be somewhere near 300000 dollars. While we'd like -- do but from what I understand the that the firefighters recovered the shift right now aren't getting any overtime correct. No they're doing I don't or look on while I'm done that they chose we didn't tell them to adapt OK and again -- -- -- cannot face and that's just not there they're not being honest all the information. Larry in tenure on with selectmen Joe and John resolves. Whatever the a monetary issues here are red carpet. The countless. Money bet to get them. This is an issue that we created by the federal government because of the war. Editor in an accepted it what do visit its unfunded mandate that the fat because of the war -- is pushing down on all these talents. Which are basically -- because of the state. Cut local aid which is making there's probably even worse so I'm what the count a kitten and outwit the god. The state they're fighting each other and they should be fighting the state and the federal government to take care of the problem. Well I agree would you likely get the federal government really wanted to do what they should. They should allow all these -- to be reimbursable that communities as you know we've got. You know we have to proposition two and a half we have schools we have the -- we -- police and fire public works we have a budget the snow and ice. It is drastically -- funded right now I underfunded overspent because of the -- we've had. You know we're doing what we can't be Fiat or employee which we believe would be more than -- but it's unfortunate that -- the fiery union decides to make it an issue. Okay Larry thanks for the cost like Magellan where the difference the difference here and and and why I agree with the fire department might think a lot of our callers do agree with the fire department. And 6172666868. Gets you on to talk about what's happening in -- and with. Captain Campbell who's over in Iraq serving the air National Guard the difference here is that. If he was still in -- If he was still here you detainees these benefits anyway UBS I think you'd be paying this the anyway so whether or not you can afford it. Is an issue that you'd be grappling with if you were in town regardless so you're saying that you'd like to trim the budget. You'd like to turn some of your expenses while he's blog he's gone. And frankly I. I say I say give -- after that there -- nothing but the I -- selectmen -- you're gonna if you would end up paying him these things anyway without even blinking if you were in town. And he goes to Iraq why not afford his family those benefits -- you're saying you're gonna trim a hundred dollars here and there -- lucky charm it's a moral. That's not true. What we're saying -- we're not going to allow person to get a -- calling in sick when he's not going to work that bet money that you know he's not entitled to. Okay silica -- I think that they call in sick is one thing and serving your country is something entirely different. Back in Belmont here on the selectmen Joe Johns all us. I -- hearing a lot about it in popular. And the government needs to cut and opera evolved. Why we can't let so and and I don't -- their -- with the outlook account opposite what what. What did you get -- all benefit you can. -- I don't fought for the record the selectmen and -- just don't do not get paid we get zero benefits we get no financial incentive to be a member of the board of selectmen. And yeah. It's -- why did you I think people see you. I'm caught it by hiding by -- police. And tired I didn't you know that it I don't to the ground. Well look for the record and we never cut the firefighters we have all the time we spend in excess of 200000 dollars because we believe to protecting the citizens about town. And we will Fonda. -- we've we've always that the expenses but I can see in the audience you know it's a one sided argument and I don't have a problem we have a right to all 27000. Citizens we represent community money effectively. That's thanks thanks for the costs like when Joe let me ask another question because I I I wanna be fair here what -- -- when I'm wondering is how many other people. Do you have in this situation. From the town of -- and firefighters other municipal workers who have gone off to serve in Iraq how many other people are you worried about. Currently in Iraq from the tungsten. We get years I don't know of any Brit I that we don't know I don't know anyway as announces -- -- Campbell. That -- example we got one years ago -- went and these are union never products these kinds of atomic just cover demand are adequate. -- but see now then this is my second point selectmen Joe this is my main sticking point and I and I think it's it's a very difficult one -- refute you're telling me that there's one guy. In the entire town he'd have to give these next year pay benefits to it EMTs site in the holiday pay the number of indirect and indirect costs. One guy is gonna cripple the bank account of Snowden. No but I can't hit it. They the things that they have not been included a memorandum of agreement. A moralist an up and sent the nature okay and it you know it's a good natured and another makes sense to just spend money for the sake of spending money while an and I don't think you. Makes sense to. To say that it. That the town of stone is going to be crippled on the back of one fire -- and we said it was I want to overdo it and it was going over to Iraq to serve in the air National Guard six ranked 766. 6868. I'm John Gonzales to speak with selectmen Joe -- -- was kind enough to come on we're having a disagreement I still think that he's doing. An admirable job servant serving the town of stone which happen to disagree on this one point. Bob in Boston your -- John Gonzales and selectmen job. I was slightly and I have a question for sure I -- staying within the union contract that is presently in place yes we are. And then the union can't have it both ways look in Boston. I heard great things that they should be tested for drugs or alcohol but the unions I think that back. It's not in their contract so widely union want it both ways they want extra look at when it counts on the inside -- but the people. And when it doesn't then they want they want to have the other happens so far as I'm concerned you're wrong is like jobs staying within the union contract. The town has a contract and -- by the contract -- Bob thanks for the claws like Magellan there are some people here obviously who do agree with you when I'm saying is. If Doug Campbell is a is a fire captain he served the fire department for eighteen years he's been in this air National Guard for -- five years in -- saying that there's no other person. Nobody else in the entire -- so that that would really actually. Affect the budget. Why not just say you know what we're not going to fight with you over penny. Because it's not going to hurt us that much -- serve the country we appreciate your service we're gonna give you everything that you would have gotten if you -- here. Because it's it's issue of money management that it's plain and simple and again we have a bargaining contract that we agreeing with -- was sticking by. This is an issue. You know looking at all brawl this person will not be her learning -- from an Iraqi veteran in the town of -- -- a week I sat down with and he may be clear all the things that they get. That this -- and is not going to be heard. In what unfortunately the union is -- to it make it a look like he's going to be suffering while he's there it. It's admirable the captain Campbell is that in the military I think it's admirable that anyone at least their employment their Stanley to -- -- -- defend our country. But you know I'm not -- -- data it'll it was just throw money at this issue. Since and that's what some people have turned this around to beat -- give them everything no matter what it costs and that's -- what -- an elected official. I don't think again I don't think -- that they quite so that he'll be then he'll be injured financially I think here at the I think that the difference here the difference here is how much. I mean are we really going to fight over Chinese -- not. -- -- thousands of dollars which again will not cripple the town of -- and 6172666868. I'm John Gonzales senior writer for Boston magazine he selection as selectmen -- -- -- From the town of -- and having a disagreement about whether or not captain Campbell. Fire captain in this certain fire department. Served for eighteen years in an apartment and a 25 years near National Guard. Exactly how much he should be getting while he's over there are a couple people on opted to agree with you slightly judge Steven stone and you're all gonzo and selectmen -- Hey got good Steve and and I I'm glad that you are are -- on the side because. That is my money that you say isn't going to break the bank I mean -- awful court and spend taxpayers' money. Steve McClain and anyway. You're -- an -- and -- committed that's so those tax is Marty that paid my friend. I want to added I think going to reimburse you is select a joke and a common not on your door and give you're seven dollars back. Well John Pickett missed the whole point here is when taxes are paid we raised taxes by what we need to operate our budget. Each year most cases it's within the twenty -- let me let it. But if we can only go one point three quarter instead of -- -- one half percent that we need to do was elected officials is the -- as the taxpayers money appropriately. Make sure they get the most out of their tax investment. And I get that's like Magellan I get that Steve when I'm saying to both the view is you only have one got in the entire town. Who was affected by this. Slippery -- -- at what point are only. What it's not we're not dealing in hypotheticals today Steve we're dealing in real world issues in the real world initiative -- -- well Steve. Right Steve listen to what I'm telling you. Today in the real world there is one counts person firms don't want. Who is who is facing this issue and what were arguing over is couple thousand dollars spoke guy it's not gonna breaks -- I -- give a tool. Steve thanks for the cost like me join know that we disagree on this I appreciate you being on the air with -- we got a couple more than I want to run through before we let you go. Aaron in Plymouth your own counsel it's like in jail. I just taking my call -- -- in my thoughts. I agree with Blackmon show. And I also have to firefighters in my family. And I just think that the firefighters -- -- fight for every nickel and dime but when you couldn't say we want reimbursement for uniforms -- when he by the going to be wearing our uniform things like that drives me crazy. And I just agreed with some other cause it is a slippery slope because what about it is that small company that has an accountant that -- to Iraq. Should they pay everything. I -- wanted to stop and I think that -- got to be the federal government stepped in and they've put going to send you over to war we need to step in and pay you we can't put it on everybody else around. Well I agree with you that the federal government should step and Karen. -- when they say that's an apology keep it keeps being missed here is that there's a lot of benefits they get in addition to make sure they don't suffer from it. And you know that both -- available. There's an Iraq War veterans -- -- don't lie -- I believe that the zero yet heroine in when Eric look over their work for a major transportation company the United States. I won't mention his name and he told me that he got not. Nothing at all other than. Held his seniority in India -- vacation basically cut a check he wasn't able to roll over we're allowing them to roll over where allowing all the financial perks. That he would get so he doesn't get hurt so -- major companies and not -- the benefits that the taxpayers still offering in this case. And I and I agree that they showed I think that they should put him in the in the town of -- case and never. A guy who's been in the fire department for eighteen years I just think that where I I really do believe I know that you think of it that's not chump change I think I think it'll. A few thousand dollars yeah I think we should just give atonement stop arguing about it a couple went -- accurate. Before we got hate you -- I mean. There's an argument here and I know that you're saying you're not arguing the fire department I guarantee if I got them on you. They're arguing that's exactly what it set on the one -- and -- these -- department has drawn a line of us and and told threatened the town that we don't do this we're gonna drag for the media and you know something whatever because the media it's. Getting it it's awfully -- ironic that this has played very well -- but how would you know the town is being supported. -- -- a supporting opposition as well while I would -- just great. Selectmen -- if you've listened to the show before that's not always a good in the scholars agree with you Gary Boston bureau of God's own selection -- I wasn't all good I don't -- -- suggestion. You excise tax -- Like not being -- some of that money that we take. Every. I can't get excise tax and estate blog goes directly to resurfacing wrote we. We can't just take that money is spent somewhere else -- it was that simple we get a lot more done in municipal government. Tri-State -- I honestly don't go to the ropes. It's slots shall. Stick out because. The country they need X and OI. I would agree -- you sir I would agree calling -- state representatives senators and allow this and that municipalities to spend money believe that it fits their community and we probably wouldn't go to cap the problems we go through. But I can't and I -- -- I agree that you mean you know we we -- every day if elected officials you know that don't need this job. We don't get zero benefit. No health insurance and we doing it because we believe in our communities. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- It's -- actually well mavericks and instead of the situation and I haven't really listen to the -- because of this that detail -- we -- -- -- five cents. And we actually paid for the health care for sensitive and that would have to go to that you know to the is that VA hospitals and for example we also. Didn't -- salary is based say whatever they were getting less whatever the government was paying them. So what I don't quite understand the issue. Doubt that in fact that we get is an addition to what you -- we've allowed vacation time with a lot continual of a role. That allow these on an -- crew you know it gets easily get back it is -- his wish political and it. It was the issue again. The issue is the texture of the extra per. Scratch the issue is they the other people believe he should get it and sent them and not calling in sick should get a strike cleaning -- -- -- uniform allowance. I'm -- we -- in the -- and those guys that we don't have cycling. Essentially occasion of almost it was in the but I guess it's really similarly did rather than you know we Republicans voting. And it was a big deal personally. Sites like whenever thank you Federer calling in selectmen Joe we do appreciate you coming on I know that it's it's controversial topic. I think it was a kind of you to call in your demand for doing it that do agree to disagree on this one and good luck with the firefighters. Thank you very much Eric.