By Dave Clendenen
Anderson resident
In a recent article about the Madison County Council meeting on the county option income tax, there were comments made that I would like to clear up for your readers and the taxpayers of Madison County.
It was said that I made the statement, “the tax is $4 per month.” This was my statement: “Police and fire are asking for $4 a month.” The $4 of which I was speaking is the public safety portion for police and fire of the local option income tax. I should have clarified that at the meeting and I take responsibility for that. It was not done intentionally.
The second quote I have in question from your article states: “The taxpayers against the increase were ridiculed by the firemen, Mayor Ockomon and Rick Muir.” This statement is totally false. The mayor, Rick Muir and every firefighter who spoke that night, including myself, spoke with dignity and with no disrespect to anyone. From the first speaker on, disparaging comments were made about firefighters and police officers.
Your Reader’s Viewpoint failed to mention that local firefighters union and the local police union are taking approximately a $1,300 cut in pay for the 2010 budget year per each firefighter and police officer. In addition, all department heads are taking a 3 percent pay cut for 2010.
I take great pride in my two deputy chiefs, Dave Cravens and Jerry Burmeister, for the unending hard work they have done on the fire-fighting budget.
Let me finish by saying that the times we are currently in are very hard for all of us. We, as taxpayers, should ask our government to make the necessary cuts before any tax increase. These budget cuts have been made by wage freezes for union and non-union employees and by layoffs. It’s time for all of us to work together to get through these difficult times.
Dave Clendenen is chief of the Anderson Fire Department.
Letters
Viewpoint: '$4 per month' referred to public safety portion of tax
Firefighters spoke with dignity, with no disrespect to anyone
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Letter: Union attitude must prevail for recovery
