Letter: Pour some lemonade on the fire

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.

The arbitration award to city fire personnel this week by arbitrator Maureen Saltman is just that – opportunity for city council.

Last year at public budget deputations it was pointed out that the per capita costs for fire personnel in 2008 for the city of Thunder Bay was $200. The BMA average for municipalities in Ontario was $114.

Last year I asked for a cut in costs.

Well this year the arbitrator has poured gas on the flames, so to speak. It is time for lemonade.

The fiscal realities of the city must be faced and it will take the gumption of council to ask administration for a cut in the fire department’s budget.

To meet the arbitrator’s award and the city fire budget , the fire chief  may have to close a fire station and lay off  the personnel that staff it.

We cannot do that, you say?

Last year when the Rosslyn fire station was closed due to mold, it was mentioned that there would be no service loss.

I propose shutting down the Water street fire station. The closure of it will make beds available that are so much needed for detox in this city. This will also help in policing costs, by getting to the root of some of the problem. There you have lemonade.
             
 

Henry Wojak, Thunder Bay