If the locals had their say, it would never have been built. I lost all respect - and my vote - for Todd Morgan as a result of his interference in that public process. He can go to hell.
Taj Mahal of Valley Lee
- Thread starter TPD
- Start date
This has absolutely nothing to do with criticizing first responders as a group. It has ALL to do with a small close-knit cadre of local Valley Lee VFD peons finagling a truly massive and unneeded "edifice" to be paid for out of my local taxes..that will do absolutely nothing to improve the performance of their tasks. Nothing. My house and all its contents would have been burned just as thoroughly if their poor response came out of that fancy new building complex as it did from the old one..
black dog
Free America
Funny thing how all that was done and being done all over the Country long before with simple buildings and quarters.
If all of them want to go home please tell them to slow down and drive like they are sane on the way to a call.
Sneakers
Just sneakin' around....
I was going to say the same. The incidents would have still happened. The responders would still do their job. The public would still hold them in high regard. A bigger building would not change any of that. If the responders feel a huge palace is what they deserve, they are in the wrong line of work.
PeoplesElbow
Well-Known Member
Still doesn't mean they should get to waste tax payer money on something unneeded.
We aren't talking about just a nice new building, we are talking about one that is easily 2x what was needed. It is by far bigger than ones in the more heavily populated districts.
Guess youre one of those people that thinks certain classes of people are beyond reproach and shouldn't be criticized for anything.
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OccamsRazor
Well-Known Member
Your argument is that they should not be questioned at all because they do a job that they volunteer to do and its... hard?
Sneakers
Just sneakin' around....
I like your posts because you're usually level headed and thoughtful about them. In this case, I'm feeling you may be biased because of your responder friends.
Any county funds used for the VFDs should be public information and available on the county commissioners budget info on their website.
My son is one of those volunteers.
Gilligan - I don't recall the details of your particular incident - but was the poor response time due to lack of (all volunteer) manpower? Or was it something else? (real question, not really related to to any politics - as I've said I don't know anything about the politics of those buildings or the history of how they're getting built or any of that. I'm also not a resident of St Mary's county so it does not affect me.)
I get what you're saying, but in the case of PFVFD - I know that their living quarters were greatly improved. The live ins were in basically a "bunk room" that was like a dormitory or a military barracks and no privacy no ability to sleep when others were up and about, etc. NOW, they all have a room that would have to hold two people, if their personnel numbers went up that high. They have a better kitchen facility -and it's more modern, of course. THey have some room for fraternizing and socializing, but they're not all sitting on top of each other so it is a better situation. The county didn't use any more land than what they already had. This station was built "up" rather than expanding out. I know the county and the FD looked at different properties locally in PF and they decided that the land where they were could be improved upon. I think they did a fine job accomplishing that.
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I remember reading a few years ago that only 20% of the municipalities in this country have professional, rather than volunteer FDs.
black dog
Free America
I live in a town that has less than 5,000 residents including city annexed property.
We have a paid Fire/Emt Dept.
TPD
the poor dad
There are a lot of politics within each VFD and a lot of dissension within the community with the VFDs - always has been, always will be. Concerning these new facilities with “live in quarters”, I have heard this is a lightning rod within some departments. The younger members want to hang out all weekend at the departments, but the older members don’t want them too. Problems arise with unwanted activities among this younger crowd which then requires the older ones to discipline which then cause the younger ones to quit. The circle of life. As an outsider looking in, this is a problem that is difficult to fix with a volunteer system. If I recall, Bay District had Serious problems with live-Ins at their old building and had to crack down on overnighters. Not sure where they stand now. Before these departments were getting tax money, I felt I just had to keep my mouth shut and let them do what they wanted. But now that they are getting tax dollars, we have a right to know how the money is being spent and hold them to accountability. I realize tax money doesn’t pay for all their expenses but that doesn’t mean we still can’t know how they are spending it along with fundraising money.
In regards to the new Valley Lee building, I was surprised to learn here that there is no social hall. That is how a volunteer organization like a fire department hall brings the community together- gets us in the building so they can show us how our tax money is spent and tell their story. Without a social hall, they have basically told the community we don’t want you. But as Gilligan said, it sounds like the community has already told The department they don’t want them.
I‘m sure there are some Valley Lee firefighters looking at this thread. I invite them to come on and defend their new building. I think we can have a civilized conversation here. Tell your story, sell us your new building! I’m listening.
In regards to the new Valley Lee building, I was surprised to learn here that there is no social hall. That is how a volunteer organization like a fire department hall brings the community together- gets us in the building so they can show us how our tax money is spent and tell their story. Without a social hall, they have basically told the community we don’t want you. But as Gilligan said, it sounds like the community has already told The department they don’t want them.
I‘m sure there are some Valley Lee firefighters looking at this thread. I invite them to come on and defend their new building. I think we can have a civilized conversation here. Tell your story, sell us your new building! I’m listening.
LightRoasted
If I may ...
If I may ...
And yet, the old fire house building they had was still just fine and had several more decades, if not more, of serviceable use. There was no need to spend the over $11,000,000, $11 Million dollars, to replace it.
LightRoasted
If I may ...
I would have to say that I am willing to guess it depends on the particular VFD as to the live in situation. There will ALWAYS be "circle of life" issues. The "old-timers" as they are known now - were HUGE carousers back in their day - before all the "politically correctness" of the 2000's kicked in. That's a fact, and I know it is from talking to "old timers". (and I'm actually OLDER than some of those old-timers!) Some of the foolishness and "wild west" antics of the past (70's, 80's especially!) is just not tolerated these days in most circles.
I know that the response time is increased dramatically when you have FFs who live in. I don't know the average age of the live ins locally in our VFDs but my son is 25-1/2. There are not a LOT of them who are irresponsible, as most (if not all) also have full time jobs. (most are single) My own son is also a fulltime PGFD/EMS. But they are young 20-somethings and are prone to sowing wild oats. But, I also happen to know they will even get coverage from another station to pitch in and vice versa when they are going to "have a night out" as a group.
CERTAINLY, though - all taxpayers have a right to know what portions of their tax money is budgeted for VFDs and how that money gets used.
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PeoplesElbow
Well-Known Member
Back home a lot of young guys wanted to join because all you had to do to get beer was go in a local store and say it was for the FD. Also they sat around the station watching porn. There they would go days at a time with no calls though, I dont see that happening here.I would have to say that I am willing to guess it depends on the particular VFD as to the live in situation. There will ALWAYS be "circle of life" issues. The "old-timers" as they are known now - were HUGE carousers back in their day - before all the "politically correctness" of the 2000's kicked in. That's a fact, and I know it is from talking to "old timers". (and I'm actually OLDER than some of those old-timers!) Some of the foolishness and "wild west" antics of the past (70's, 80's especially!) is just not tolerated these days in most circles.
I know that the response time is increased dramatically when you have FFs who live in. I don't know the average age of the live ins locally in our VFDs but my son is 25-1/2. There are not a LOT of them who are irresponsible, as most (if not all) also have full time jobs. (most are single) My own son is also a fulltime PGFD/EMS. But they are young 20-somethings and are prone to sowing wild oats. But, I also happen to know they will even get coverage from another station to pitch in and vice versa when they are going to "have a night out" as a group.
CERTAINLY, though - all taxpayers have a right to know what portions of their tax money is budgeted for VFDs and how that money gets used.
Kids will be kids!I think for the MOST part - those days are long gone.
Not saying the guys don't watch porn or drink, but going to the store for freebie beer, etc.
PeoplesElbow
Well-Known Member
That was about 1990, I rode to the store down the road with a friend before school, we ran in he said "we need beer at the fire dept!" and they was like "take it take it" I couldnt believe it. We hung out all day in the school parking lot drinking Busch that day.
I think for the MOST part - those days are long gone.