Monday, May 17, 2010 While we don't live in Westport (CT), we couldn't help but pass this story on to you related to the same issues most FD's are dealing with-the budget. It seems however, in Westport, that the WLPG's (Westport Library Power Guns) HAVE the power-but have probably never dialed 9-1-1 for something being on fire.

In Westport it's Library YES! Fire Department NO!
 
Ever been to Westport?
 
Read on.
 
The "big guns" that the Westport Public Library gathered to whine before the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) last week were successful as their legislative body approved a $45,000 restoration to the library’s 2010-2011 budget by a 33 to 1 vote. But wait-there's more.
 

You see, that vote was the total opposite action by those "library-love'n" RTM folks to not restore $150,000 to the Fire Department, and not even $64,153 after a second motion failed, despite claims that public safety would be compromised.
 
 
The heart felt public comments from those "pleading" to keep the library open include:
"Our library is a secular church, “a spiritual place.” 
"Our library is a democratic institution that shores up Westport’s home values."
"Our library is “a sanctuary for people suffering during these terrible economic times.”
"Our library is a lifeline for the unemployed who use it for job searches during the economic downturn."
"Our library is a place where seniors needing to stretch a dollar can come for warmth when they turn down their heat, or keep cool when they turn off their air conditioners."
 
 
And probably, the most heart tugging comment that made us grab the tissues and start wailing away was the one person who very emotionally recalled how "a librarian helped teach him to tie his tie as a teen before a job interview when his father was unavailable." Local Government at its best.
Actually, we can help eliminate that excuse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g-nn_P5TgE
 
  So sadly, only a couple of RTM members pleaded the need to fight their Fire Department’s $150,000 cut, a cut that Fire Chief Christopher Ackley said will result in the temporary closing of 2 firehouses.
“I do agree that we need to keep our taxes low, but we do not want to be penny wise and pound foolish,” RTM member Joyce Colburn said about their Fire Dept: "This is like buying insurance.”
RTM member George Underhill said that the Board of Finance acted irresponsibly in cutting the Fire Department’s budget. “We need this, and we should not even be talking about,” he said.
 
 
The motion to restore the $150,000 cut failed by a vote of 18 to 15, and another motion to restore $64,000 failed to get 23 votes, a 70 percent majority, by a 20 to 12 vote. JUST SAY NO.
 

“We’ll do what we have to do,” said Chief Ackley as he left the auditorium. “It’s just that in the long run, I hope no one gets hurt.’ Mr Underhill was even more clear after the vote. “I don’t want to be responsible for some kid burning up because they were three minutes late because it (fire truck) had to come from a greater distance,’ he said. Well who else would be responsible? Better get that retro-sprinkler law drawn up FAST.
 
 
OK-so now you are wondering what's the big deal? WHY does this matter? ALL towns are going through "tough times." Why is the "Westport Story" so important to pass along?
 
 
Simply put, in 08' Westport was named the fifth top-earning city in the United States, with a median family income of $193,540 and median home price of $1,200,000. In comparison, the median annual household income was $50,233.00 for the United States*. That's the same Westport that will not support $150,000 to keep their firehouses open 24/7.
 
 
SO while many fire departments across the USA get obliterated for some very unjustified reasons, keep in mind that the good residents of Westport DO have a spiritual place, a place that increases their home values, a place to cool off in the Summer and warm up in the Winter and most importantly: a place where "a kid can learn how to tie their tie." And here you go, a video that fits nicely including making sure a tie fits perfectly.
 
After all, we ARE talking about Westport. And it's no big deal-not until "someone" has a fire and then-following "that" fire, they'll undoubtedly have an "emergency" town meeting with Chief Ackley.
Maybe they'll have that meeting in the library.
It's enough to make you go crazy. It's enough to make you mad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F58TfYHqLak  (Note initial tie adjustment demonstration)
 
*Source: http://tinyurl.com/3326znh