71 replies to this topic

[MikeinFolsom]

It is quite funny that those who can stand at the gossip fence, coffee cup in one hand, big stick in the other, curlers in her hair, and claim someone else on the forum has too much time on his hands???

I believe that you, Alexa, have been quashed once and for all on the forum by none other than the NY Yankees. From here on out, I believe your posts will be considered nothing but rediculous banter. I hope your neighbor firefighter friend doesn't get his feelings hurt.

[vjensen]

It is quite funny that those who can stand at the gossip fence, coffee cup in one hand, big stick in the other, curlers in her hair, and claim someone else on the forum has too much time on his hands???

I believe that you, Alexa, have been quashed once and for all on the forum by none other than the NY Yankees. From here on out, I believe your posts will be considered nothing but rediculous banter. I hope your neighbor firefighter friend doesn't get his feelings hurt.

The following quote is from another thread (library discussion) and may resonate with some of the concerns expressed here:
"It is interesting to see that there are so many topics on this forum that relate to management in the City of folsom not being competent. For staff members [library] to come out and speak on the topic in my mind rings that maybe the city is ready for some structure changes. May the city be blessed with a new city manager that will turn the city and its management around. I praise the library staff for speaking out and letting the public know. I just wish that other departments felt that courage. I also wish that we as citizens continue to take a strong stance on issues that directly effect us. If management or officials of the city fail us, we need to speak out. I hope all works out for the staff and that the city learns a great lesson from this incidence."
Ditto--Good to be careful you aren't harming the messenger, Mike. Banter, "rediculous" or otherwise is fairly common in this arena. By the way, your references above are amazingly condescending and straight out of the MCP era--what could you possibly mean by "curlers"?

[Alexa]

Mr. Yankee fan (AKA) FDNY343 and who knows how many other assumed identities you have on this forum. The only fraud is you! You don't speak for me, the city or the people who reside here. You only speak for yourself.

For the record I like being a mom and taking care of my kids and yes wearing skirts. So get over the whole fireman/MCP thing.

I don't know the administration of your fire department or Chief Dutton personally. But if they have to deal with the likes of you on a daily basis I feel sorry for them.

My neighbor is an honest man who only wants the people to know what is going on. He should know he worked for Folsom before taking a job with Sacramento Metro Fire Department. He still has friends here and feels they are being let down.

I guess maybe you thought I would not have enough courage to get back on here after your last post. You seem to underestimate the fact that as a woman I can have a brain and an opinion.

For Mike in Folsom, I'm sitting here in my backyard enjoying my kids playing in the pool and drinking a glass of wine. Really the whole curler in the hair thing is so 1950's.

[shallowlarynx]

Alexa, be careful of divulging too much about your neighbor. The reason why is there are only a small few firefighters who have been Folsom Firemen that have left and went to Sac Co or American River, which now is Sac Metro. Knowing some of the people we work with, they might try and figure out who he is and then that opens up a whole new can of worms. I do enjoy your posts though.....they seem to stoke a little bit of a fire under everyone.

The one question I still am faced with is this: Why if all Fire Admin except for the Chief agree with what is being posted, why aren't they stepping up and answering the call? Well, there was a moment a few years ago when all of middle management from the Battalion Chiefs up to the current Deputy Chief came around to all of the stations and told every line person that they were starting a movement to take over the Fire Department. They asked us to buy into their beliefs and to sit tight, change was on the way. They told us to give them a few weeks to see changes, and in a skeptic manner, we agreed to it.

What ever came of it??? Funny you should ask. Every one of those middle management personnel that came out that day has been promoted to higher positions in the fire admin. Some went up to the Battalion Chief ranks. Some made it to deputy chief ranks. Nothing else in the department changed. Funny huh?

Ever get a scent of something in the air that just doesn't smell right??????

[Sweetpea & Snookems]

Reading this is making me all too concerned in general, from the point of view of a citizen, a mom, with two kids (and herself) who need the fire depart from time to time.

Two questions? Should I worry for my kids, one has seizures & stops breathing, the other has asthma and stops breathing, from time to time...do I know that if I call 911 for them-or their daycare calls-that they're going to be helped-or should I rush them over to the er myself, we're 3 minutes away.

With all this mud-slinging, is it still worth it to bake cookies for them & drop them off at the station? Do firefighters still like cookies & cupcakes & brownies cut out like little fire trucks, flags, teddy bears and dinosaurs decorated with sprinkles & colorful icing? Do they like homeroasted coffee from fresh green coffee beans?

Reading this war of words makes me concerned for my kids-though I note that only one appears to be an actual firefighter...still, it's a massive negative energy that's taking a toll. Who's looking out for my kids' medical needs when they're out of my control? Is this forum getting out of hand in general?

[NY Yankees]

Sweet Pea,

You and your kids are always welcome at the fire station(s). As your kids go through the school system they become familiar with the fire men and women as we go and do reading to the kids or show them our engine or truck.
This is my last post in this forum. I will not participate in mud slinging or the banter that is taking place. I merely posted to clarify and to bring the truth to some of the issues raised. I am not in this for myself and as I stated before. We, the men and women of Folsom Fire Department are truly dedicated to providing the best service for the community we serve.
Take care and be safe.........out

[shallowlarynx]

Sweet Pea:

You have just hit the nail on the head. As has always been in the past, be fully confident in the fact that the men and women of the FCFD will always go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that each and every citizen in and out of the City of Folsom will always receive response and care that truly is second to none.

The reason this forum is even taking shape is because the members of the FD feel our service is slipping due to an administration that has no foresight or ability to envision future needs for the citizens. You will hear that "2 NEW FIRE STATIONS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN BUILT" but in all reality, the 2 stations that have been built merely replaced stations that were either infested with mold, or were well beyond their years of serviceability.

Now if you live wayyyyyy out in the newer portions of Folsom, say Empire Ranch or out past Hillcrest, sorry, but you will be waiting almost 8-10 minutes for either an engine or ambulance to arrive at your house. How long has the fire department known there would be houses built out there? Long time. Why wait until now to finally "discuss" building new stations out in the area? Why play catch up instead of being ahead of the game? At this pace, we'll be looking to build new fire stations south of Hwy 50 in the year 2025 or so. I wouldn't move out there if I were you.

Do feel the utmost confidence in the Fire Department and it's members. But a department can only be stretched so thin before it starts to become ineffective.

[shallowlarynx]

Well, I believe the topic has finally come full circle.

I do hope that most of my previous posts were eye-opening, and I hope it makes not only our shoddy Fire Admin take a long look in the mirror at themselves, but I also hope that we, the men and women of the FCFD, take a long look at ourselves and the FCFD.

Obviously we can't change the current administration. We have tried and tried and tired, only to get the feeling we're banging our heads against a brick wall, and the brick wall isn't giving in. I myself still don't see how they go home at night and look in the mirror with a clear conscience, but maybe that's the type of person it takes to make the decisions and policies that they currently love to enforce.

The line personnel need to understand that the Fire Admin is in this for for only them, and until we change the current regime, we're stuck in a real cruddy position. Let's keep our heads up and continue to provide excellent service. We'll all be around a lot longer than the current bosses, so look towards the future and know there will be better days.

And to those that are currently in the position to dictate policy and procedure in the Fire/EMS areas of the fire department.........Obviously you have ALL forgotten where you once came from. We as line people can only hope that one day it will all come back and smack you right in the face........... .

So for now, I too am taking a rest in my postings to see if anyone in this department stops to take an internal look at themselves and determine if there is anything they as a single resourse can do to make the needed changes. Obviously if a post comes up that requires immediate rebuttal or affirmation, know that the shallowlarynx will again awaken, and possibly with more of a fury than before............. Out.

[justlurking]

Now if you live wayyyyyy out in the newer portions of Folsom, say Empire Ranch or out past Hillcrest, sorry, but you will be waiting almost 8-10 minutes for either an engine or ambulance to arrive at your house.

Wait a minute - Hillcrest and Empire Ranch is served by the fire station behind Home Depot, right? If so, I just can't imagine a fire engine taking ten minutes getting from the station to Hillcrest - it's just up Broadstone Parkway. For the far reaches of Empire Ranch, it's just up Iron Point Road. IMHO, unless those fire trucks are responding to another call, a ten minute response time from that location seems to be overblown. It would be interesting to see a map of response time circles around the City's fire stations to see where the service gaps really are. Frankly, I'd be more concerned about only having two ambulances to serve 54K 24/7 and a few thousand more during business hours.

[Gwyneth]

The following quote is from another thread (library discussion) and may resonate with some of the concerns expressed here:
"It is interesting to see that there are so many topics on this forum that relate to management in the City of folsom not being competent. For staff members [library] to come out and speak on the topic in my mind rings that maybe the city is ready for some structure changes ... I praise the library staff for speaking out and letting the public know. I just wish that other departments felt that courage."

No wonder it is a rarity for staff to speak out! The library employees tried to work through proper channels for more than a year, wanting only reasonable and positive changes in the best interest of excellent public service and efficient operations. This process accelerated last fall, but still met with patronizing denial at management level.

Despite the fact that nearly all permanent career employees have been in agreement about worsening problems, the library initiative is now being blamed on a few staff members who are being singled out as rabble rousers. This has gotten back to the staff from a number of credible sources at city hall over the past six months, so there is no doubt it is true. Referring to your own staff as chronic malcontents, troublemakers, and flakes is slander, plain and simple. It is destroying our faith in management to realize that some administrators will resort to dishonesty and retaliation before they will listen to the sincere concerns of a competent, caring and devoted staff.

Nobody wants to hear about problems. Nobody wants to make the city look bad. The library staff never would have risked their reputations or their careers unless they felt from the bottom of their hearts that there was no other option than to speak out openly for the quality of public services and appeal to city council, the library commission, and other concerned citizens for support and positive action.

Have the sincere and well-intentioned motives of the library staff and their supporters backfired? Are they now scared into submission? Have some of their number been peeled off by divide and conquer methods, attacks on their credibility, intimidation?

Change usually comes at great expense, especially when it's long overdue and the status quo has reached critical mass.

[Robert Giacometti]

No wonder it is a rarity for staff to speak out! The library employees tried to work through proper channels for more than a year, wanting only reasonable and positive changes in the best interest of excellent public service and efficient operations. This process accelerated last fall, but still met with patronizing denial at management level.

Despite the fact that nearly all permanent career employees have been in agreement about worsening problems, the library initiative is now being blamed on a few staff members who are being singled out as rabble rousers. This has gotten back to the staff from a number of credible sources at city hall over the past six months, so there is no doubt it is true. Referring to your own staff as chronic malcontents, troublemakers, and kooks is slander, plain and simple. It is destroying our faith in management to realize that some administrators will resort to dishonesty and retaliation before they will listen to the sincere concerns of a competent, caring and devoted staff.

Nobody wants to hear about problems. Nobody wants to make the city look bad. The library staff never would have risked their reputations or their careers unless they felt from the bottom of their hearts that there was no other option than to speak out openly for the quality of public services and appeal to city council, the library commission, and other concerned citizens for support and positive action.

Have the sincere and well-intentioned motives of the library staff and their supporters backfired? Are they now scared into submission? Have some of their number been peeled off by divide and conquer methods, attacks on their credibility, intimidation?

Change usually comes at great expense, especially when it's long overdue and the status quo has reached critical mass.

Gwyneth,

Its not just the Fireman & the Library staff that feel this way! I have heard from many different city employees who also agree with what both groups are doing.

Why did Steve Rudolph, former City Attorney, leave the City so quickly? I'm sure the Fireman know the answer and FINALLY a majority on the council recognizes the problem!

It has to be crystal clear to anyone on this forum that there has been a serious lack of leadership at the top for many years at the City!

As a citizen I for one appreciate your willingness, the Fireman and others at City Hall to speak out in attempt to improve things for all of us! I'm confident the dangers of repercussions are starting to diminish...although you well know as issues start to get exposed one or 2 council members may get desperate...to keep their skeletons buried!

A BIG THANK YOU for your convictions!

[Dave Burrell]

Gwyneth,

Its not just the Fireman & the Library staff that feel this way! I have heard from many different city employees who also agree with what both groups are doing.

Why did Steve Rudolph, former City Attorney, leave the City so quickly? I'm sure the Fireman know the answer and FINALLY a majority on the council recognizes the problem!

It has to be crystal clear to anyone on this forum that there has been a serious lack of leadership at the top for many years at the City!

As a citizen I for one appreciate your willingness, the Fireman and others at City Hall to speak out in attempt to improve things for all of us! I'm confident the dangers of repercussions are starting to diminish...although you well know as issues start to get exposed one or 2 council members may get desperate...to keep their skeletons buried!

A BIG THANK YOU for your convictions!

and a big thank you to you too Robert!

Hopefully someday thru all these efforts, the city council will pay attention and maybe ACTUALLY do something to improve both the city and their scruples.

[Steve Heard]

If you ask me, we're still not convinced that the land exchange for the current St. 35 across from Wal-mart was an up and up deal.

Nice explanation a while back by Stevethedad, who supposedly got the info from Mr. Miklos himself. Sorry, but we're pretty sure everything coming from Mr. Miklos' mouth is probably 75% crap and 25% BS. And most of us would sure like it if he would quit referring to himself as a former firefighter. We've researched that point quite a bit. Like we say....75% and 25%.

Shallow

Like you, I am a little biased. I am biased because I know Steve Miklos, and work with him every day. We do not share the same views politically, but I know him to be a good man, volunteering his time and offering support for many community prgrams. I feel he does a lot for this city.

As for you wishing he'd stop calling himself a former firefighter, why is that? He's pretty proud of it. I know quite a few retired military, police, and firefighters. They are all proud to be among the few who had the balls to put their lives on the line for others. Why would you begrudge him that? He's got the badge, and gets regular mail from the union as a retiree. I don't get your beef with that.

I wasn't around at the time of that land deal, but I got a satisfactory explanation of it, and it made sense. Why do you suspect otherwise?

This, folks, is another reason why so many good people shy away from public service. They get kicked in the butt for just being there. I remember when then-mayor Miklos had the honor of riding in the lead wagon on the 4th of July parade, sponsored by the Folsom Chamber. The President or Chairman (I forget which) Jeremy Bernau, as head of the Chamber, gets to ride up there, too. Someone thought it was a galling display of corruption that they mayor and a developer would flaunt their relationship in public. That's what they saw.

If you are truly dissatisfied with management, you can do one of two things; do what those of us in the private sector do when we don't like our situation, we find somewhere else to work, or, if you want to stay, work for change, apply for promotions, attend meetings, let your voice be heard through channels, etc. I'm not suggesting you haven't tried, but mud-slinging on an anonymous forum won't get much done.

[Snowball]

Gwyneth,

Its not just the Fireman & the Library staff that feel this way! I have heard from many different city employees who also agree with what both groups are doing.

Then those groups should speak up. Tell anyone, tell everyone. Strength in numbers.

As a citizen I for one appreciate your willingness, the Fireman and others at City Hall to speak out in attempt to improve things for all of us! I'm confident the dangers of repercussions are starting to diminish...although you well know as issues start to get exposed one or 2 council members may get desperate...to keep their skeletons buried!

A BIG THANK YOU for your convictions!

I thank you too. I have children and own home in this community and plan to make this my home for a long time. I want to feel government and city management alike is working together to provide the best services adn environment possible. No plac3e for megalomaniacs. What can we as citizens do to support these groups at the fire dept. and the library?

[Gwyneth]

If you are truly dissatisfied with management, you can do one of two things; do what those of us in the private sector do when we don't like our situation, we find somewhere else to work ...

Being a public servant is different, especially if you work in front-line public service (as opposed to behind the scenes). Some people are devoted to their careers and to the quality of the service they provide. It is difficult to be managed by people who have no to little experience with the public service aspect of the job. Maybe the library staff, for instance, feel committed to protecting the best interest of the public.

... or, if you want to stay, work for change, apply for promotions, attend meetings, let your voice be heard through channels, etc.

Sounds like, from this thread, both the fire and the library employees tried going through channels first, tried to work within the system to promote beneficial changes, tried to make their voices heard. I find it near impossible to believe that either the fire or library staff would risk their job security to challenge the status quo just for the sake of causing disruption.