The fact is that if you took the title, and all of the ”union” attributes and trimmings away from the Lacey Fire Fighters, you wouldn’t see an ounce of difference in current events. It would still be a group of men and women who work daily as service professionals, significantly upset about being lied to and stood up by the status quo. So the big political push or “Jihad” (remember, directly translated means effort) would still exist with or without the term of “union”.
We’re ok with the mud slinging and name calling that brands our “union” with a label that is designed to trigger political stereotypes and feelings, because we expected it. The real question comes is not whether you hear the “union label” rhetoric but do you have the wisdom and wherewithal to see beyond the label and draw a conclusion that is free from propaganda and inoculation to give you an honest impression of current events in Lacey. Judging by the donations, the positive comments, the support to the candidates, and even (gasp!) media attention, it must be working!
The important message that we want to get out however is not a “union bashing” alert, but rather to address a stereotype attached to it. Be it known that it is absolutely false that the Lacey Fire Fighters are against business and especially in the city of Lacey. If you hear this immediately question the accuser on their integrity and the validity of the story. Ask why they believe this and then follow that up with “prove it.”
The Fire Fighters of Lacey are clearly grateful for the role of business and especially small business in our community because it fuels growth. In many cases, our member’s existence is derived directly from the business presence and indirectly because our spouse and children are provided from the taxes and payroll from small business. Further, we recognize that as service providers and not directly tied to economic production, that the most important role we can provide is to protect business and further insure that it recovers quickly and with as little downtime as possible in the event of an emergency.
The United State Chamber of Commerce even recognizes (especially in economic times like these) that the majority of small businesses that suffer significant fire damage do not rebuild. And beyond that, the role of Lacey Fire Fighters in providing a significantly low fire insurance rating has undoubtedly helped attract new business. Example? Look at the Georgia Pacific Fire on Fones Road where “GP” admits had the business suffered significant fire damage, it never would have rebuilt. What’s sad is that the shut down of Lacey’s ladder truck essentially due to low staffing potentially prevents a repeat of that success! Further, the city of Lacey in their professional combat fire fighting opinion (or gross lack of) sees no value to a ladder truck!
What about taxes? In light of the current fiasco with the City of Lacey and the quality of some of the decisions being made, it’s completely understandable why many of you will be voting yes on I-1033. Did you know, that the annexation of the City of Lacey’s for fire service would immediately pocket money into the City of Lacey coffers without a tax raise? Did you know that if the city of Lacey does not provide for the same level of existing fire protection and resource capability (if not more due to insurance and state law revisions) that your fire insurance will go up? And disproportionately so against business, remember the addition of the Ladder truck to the City of Lacey alone was worth thousands of dollars in insurance cost reductions to some businesses, but the city criticizes it! How’s that for service? You will pay more for less if the Lacey City Council gets its wish! Even the Olympian identifies this and its in the City’s own fire department consulting report!
***
The Fire Fighters of Lacey will always be there, regardless of the city’s intentions, to protect and serve. If you are a business owner, we are not present to beat you up on fire inspections, not there to harass you about permits, not there to reach into your pocket to pay more for less. We want to be able to say that the customers of local businesses, and the buyers of homes, that you are in our service area and a businesses environment exists that exceeds in quality and safety beyond anything comparable. Welcome home.