Since this has been a critical topic (and most likely will continue to be), RFMJ has decided to collect some of the relevant documents and make them available here.
If you have something you would like to see added, send email to p.v.publicola@gmail.com
WEMA stations, with five-mile-radius circles
WEMA stations, with roads shaded by distance
Note: The roads on this map are shaded BLUE if they less than 1.5 miles from a WEMA station and RED if they are less than 5.0 miles from a WEMA station.
MTAS CTAS Wilson County Fire Study 2006
This is a 4.2mb file, but worth the time to download and read. right-click and save-to your local drive.
1999 Amendment to TCA about Fire Tax Districts sponsored by Sen. Rochelle.
History of the Mt. Juliet Volunteer Fire Department (1974-1986)
The 1986 Contract between Mt. Juliet and Wilson County for Fire Protection
288 Comments
August 19, 2008 at 7:12 am
Having glanced over the study listed above, it would appear that the equipment costs recommended would come to about $2.1 to $2.3 million. The study recommends an increase of about 7 new full-time personnel, which I guess would increase annual expenditures by, and this is only a guess, $300,000 to $400,000 per year. They recommend recruiting quite a few volunteer fire fighters, which would require training. And then there are five or six new fire stations that would need to be built.
Chris, I realized that there was a study from CTAS and MTAS, but that study doesn’t really spell out the full costs now does it?
How much for each station?
How much for each set of gear for each fire fighter?
How much for training each fire fighter?
What are the annualized increased costs of the full operation of these services as recommended?
What is the annualized replacement costs for the gear and equipment?
Chris, unless I missed something, there are still a lot of unknowns here. Further, regardless of what the “pros” put together, I would feel more comfortable with the input of the people actually doing the job as well. “Pros” tend to look at statistics and models, whereas the people in the real world battle can give you interesting tidbits of anomalous information. The better way is for the people who are actually doing the job to take this study and use it as a reference and then build out a plan of action from there. Then, once it is discovered what is “really” needed, which I believe would involve more than the MTAS and CTAS study suggests, the task of raising funds, acquiring land, sending out requests for proposals or requests for bid to build stations, procuring equipment and gear, and develop a coordinated recruiting and training effort can begin in earnest.
While we sit and pontificate, the threat of danger posed by inadequate protection continues to be present in Wilson County.
I think everyone who has posted on this matter is in agreement on the fact that there needs to be more action than talk. I am certainly not an expert on fire protection plans, but I do know the difference between activity and accomplishment.
It appears to me that the county will really have to ratchet up what it spends on fire protection and emergency services if we are to develop and sustain adequate protection. However, it also appears from the report that by providing adequate protection, if the report is accurate, we will see a collective insurance break (however that happens) of about $8 million per year! My God, if that is true, what the hell are we waiting for?
August 19, 2008 at 7:35 am
The “pros” who put that study together, where in the fire fighting business when you and I weren’t allowed to play with matches. They are the people who have done the job, and they are an outside independent source in the true sense of the word.
The costs depend on a lot of things, and that’s why they left some of those costs out. If we put a station in the center of town, the zoning requirements would make it more expensive. If it is a metal building in the county, not as expensive.
Some equipment is more expensive than others, so it really depends on what is bought as to the costs. The normal air tank holds 2216 pounds, but my department has 4500 pound bottles. When the department decides what they want to use, the costs can be figured.
August 19, 2008 at 7:51 am
Chris, I think you are proving my point.
August 19, 2008 at 8:34 am
I guess the best way to look at it is how much is your home worth, and then how much is it worth including the contents. You might have furniture from Rooms to Go or possibly very expensive antiques. No way to say what the full cost is without determining what you are going to buy.
August 19, 2008 at 9:44 am
You guys are making this blog very funtional !
The ideas being thrown out here could ultimatly help solve this problem.
Hats off to all of ya.. I have learned much about this issue here.
August 19, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Considering that the state takes 7% of the sales taxes generated in Wilson County and its incorporated cities, is there state money available to help with fire protection and emergency services?
If so, how would Wilson County go about getting that set up?
August 19, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Just letting you people know the level of fire service has gone down in Mt.Juliet there once were two pumpers station at Station 3. Now lets look at what that means when I say the level of service is down.Lets say that first out pumper goes to a car fire or backs up a station in the county IT HAPPENS!! When there was two pumpers at the station the Ambulance crew aways manned that second pumper. That second pumper was stationed at 3 for 15 years or more.Now lets say that first out pumper is way out in the county and a house fire is call in lets say Hillview Sub. thats less than a mile from Station 3 the nearest Station is Lakeview Station4 thats almost ten miles away.DO we need a Fire Service that stays in Mt,Juliet you be the judge? one more thing are you aware that when there’s a large fire out in the county that lone pumper thats in Station 3 maybe out of the middle of this city for hours we’re talking four or five hours there’s no fire engine for this town.Well you may say well there’s Station 4,5or 6 there all at that fire no coverage for this town.do we need a fire services that stays in this city YES. Do you people know what the personal live in at Station 3 well one day go there when its raining there’s water running inside that building. And the county or city don’t care if you put your dog thru that you would be in front of a judge in Lebanon. You may ask how I know this I worked for WEMA for thirty years twenty five at Station 3.
August 20, 2008 at 7:41 am
Butch,
I can say that I’m fairly comfortable with the subject since I ride a ladder truck every 3rd day as a Firefighter for the City of Franklin and do not sit in an office as a consultant. I’ve work on both sides of the fire profession fence as both a Volunteer Firefighter and a Professional Firefighter.
I am the one also that was tapped by City Manager Randy Robertson to work on recruiting, equiping, and get the training lined up for the Volunteer Firefighters who will work with the Full Time Firefighters for WEMA at Station 3.
When we are talking costs assoicated with implementing a fire department and firefighters, it is quite lengthy.
With fire stations, the cost assoicated when we are looking at construction are the same as building a home with a large garage. It depends on the number of bays, living quarters size, kitchen equipment, etc.. For example if you look at the new fire station that was built in Franklin that I work at. The cost for the station was around 2.5 million and that’s with donated land. That also doesn’t include all the furnishings, since a firehouse is just that a house for us to live in since we are there for 24 hours at a time.
Apparatus is another thing. The cost for trucks is strictly based on the mfg., type of appartus, etc. When you look at apparatus cost you also need to remember you have to by all the equipment, such as hose, hand tools, SCBAs, radios, ect. For example, the ladder truck I ride in Franklin is a 2007 Sutphen 102 ft. Ladder Truck. The base cost for the truck was close to 800,000.00 , but when you add all the equipment you are close to a million dollars. That is one truck.
Personnel Costs- in addition to salaries you have to look at the PPE (turnout gear) that each firefighter is required to have. This is the helmet, hood, coat, pants, boots, gloves. Now the cost again is based on the quality and the derability of the type you chose. The equipment I have quoted for MJ is not the best stuff out there, but its not the worst either. We are looking at close to 2300.00 for this gear for each firefighter. When you add things like individual radios that brings it up around 500.00. Now another piece of equipment that is required to fight house fire is SCBA or Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. Chris mentioned this in an earlier post about SCBA, but the one’s we have quoted are around $5100.00 and with a spare air bottle is $ 1000.00. These are nothing special and are the same one’s being purchased by WEMA.
Now when we are talking about training again it is all dependent on at what level you would like them to be trained to. The current course that is being put together for the new volunteers is a basic firefighter course which consists of 64 hours worth of training. The cost per firefighter for this course is 191 per firefighter. This is only the basic course. There are many other courses out there and if you were interested in looking at some more just to get an idea, go to the state fire school webpage at http://www.state.tn.us/commerce/sfm/tfaca/index.html
Hope that answers some of your questions..
August 20, 2008 at 8:55 am
Shawn, thank you for taking the time to write the last post. Yes, it does answer some of my questions.
It appears that the county needs to construct 7 new fire stations in order to adequately provide fire protection services and Emergency Medical Services. Shawn, I believe you said that you ride on a ladder truck, so I am going to assume (even though I know what that does to me) that you are in a larger than normal facility because it has to house a ladder truck (I am not sure it ladder trucks are larger than normal trucks, but it would make sense to me that they might be). Let’s say that we build two buildings in Wilson County equivalent to what you have in Franklin and then five more lesser buildings of say the $2,000,000 range. That would mean that we need about $15,000,000 for buildings and we need to then either purchase the land, which would probably be around another $7 to $12 million (land in some of the areas would be cheaper that what you could purchase it for in Mt. Juliet, and we already have some land for new stations. We could probably also get some land donated as well.) So now we are up to about $22,000,000 to $27,000,000. The 7 extra full time fire fighters would need complete outfits which appears to come to about $10,000 per outfit, which adds another $70,000. I would add in about $3,000 for training per person. I suspect there are other items that would be needed for each person brought on, so lets go ahead and say that we need about $15,000 per person to put a trained and well equipped person on the street. It would appear that CTAS/MTAS would recommend that the county recruit about 165 volunteers if I read the report right. I have no idea how many now exist, but if we had to recruit all 165 plus the 7 new full-timers we would need about 172 sets of gear (unless they can share) I am going to use 160 sets of gear because the math is easier. It think that comes to $2,100,000 in gear and training. So now we are up to about $24,000,000 to as much as $30,000,000. I am guessing, but I bet we need around $10,000,000 to $15,000,000 in new equipment, both to equip the new stations and to replace old equipment. So now, if my calculations are correct, we are looking at around $39,000,000 to as much as $45,000,000 in expenses to adequately provide fire protection and emergency services.
Now, we are not going to accomplish a feat like that over-night, but it shouldn’t take forever either.
I believe this should be accomplished in less than 5 years. Which would mean that we would have to come up with around $9 million per year for the next five years.
However, you have to factor in incentive pay and/or bonus pay for the volunteers. I estimate this to gradually increase from probably $500,000 to as much as $3,000,000 per year five years from now. But let’s go ahead and factor the full three million in right now. That would mean that for the next three years we need to come up with $12,000,000 per year. From that point on we need replacement costs of vehicles and equipment and the ongoing pay. Oh, yeah, I forgot the pay for the 7 full-timers. Let’s put the costs of pay and benefits for each of them at about $70,000 each, so that adds in another $500,000 each year. I will absorb that in the $12,000,000 per year for the next five years, which is obviously very high. However, starting in the sixth year it has to be factored in, so with all pay and replacement costs starting in the sixth year, we will most likely need to increase current spending by between $5 to $6 million per year. Now, with 106,000 people currently living in Wilson County, and perhaps a 10% annual increase in population, especially when you factor in that we are adding in better protection and businesses are flocking to the county, that number will likely grow to around 150,000 in the five year period. There is typically about 2.3 people per home, so I am going to guess and say that there are currently about 40 thousand homes in Wilson County. So if we were to pay the full $12,000,000 this year we would have to come up with an average of $300 per household to accomplish it. However, homes are not the only thing that factor in, businesses pay property taxes as well, so let’s say that we could reduce that $300 per household to $225. Now, let’s think outside the box and say that we get local businesses and private donors to do some matching funds and other donations. We could reasonably get them to put up a third to half of the money. That would mean that we would reduce the number for Joe Q. to around $75 to $125 this year. I have mine, how about you? Next year, with more businesses open and more people to spread this cost among, the number could easily come down to as little as $50 per person. Folks, it is easy if everyone does their part!
This really isn’t that monumental of a task, the monumental task is to get the county and the incorporated cities to work together to accomplish more!
That is what this election cycle needs to be about, getting more done through cooperation and by making the public aware. This site is making the public aware as much as possible, but we need your help. The city of Mt. Juliet is doing its level best to make it difficult for citizens to get public records. Call them and give them hell for not posting things on the city website. Give them hell for not being more than willing to hand over what is asked for without trying to run up an expensive bill for the person asking for information.
Here is the question for everyone, would you be willing to put up the full $300 this year if necessary in order to fix this problem? I would! The long-term savings on insurance, according to MTAS/CTAS, actually repays the $25 per month with some very handsome interest! To me, based on what I have seen so far, this is a no-brainer. In fact, if the information that has been presented so far is accurate, and my math is not underestimating the cost, this isn’t only a no-brainer, we would be stupid not to do it!
But there is another cost that hasn’t been factored here…that is the cost of doing nothing. If we don’t fix the problem, and a person dies because we failed to act, the cost is a human life. What is the price of a human life? What is the price for the life of your wife, daughter, son, mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, cousin, grandmother, grandfather, or friend? What is the price for “your” life? Would you be willing to put up less than $1 dollar per day, less than the price of one soda, to help ensure that you don’t ever have to face the reality that your complacency, your stinginess, your stubbornness, costs someone their life, especially when that someone could be someone you love?
Now, I don’t think it is going to cost us $1 per day. I think it is going to actually cost us less than a quarter per day. But wouldn’t you be willing to put up a dollar each day to solve this problem?
August 20, 2008 at 5:30 pm
The volunteers were for the MJ side of the world, and even though it would be great to have that many in the county, it would probably be out of control with that number. It was a way for MJ to supplement.
Not all fire halls are as expensive as what was posted by Sean. Smyrna just built a 4 bay for a million, minus the land. Either way, there are a lot of variables to consider. Once you get out in the county, the land will probably need to be purchased, but it is cheaper. In the high growth areas, a developer will most likely donate a parcel for a few reasons.
In my honest opinion, the cost alone is probably why you haven’t seen the MTAS report until now. I still say the MTAS and CTAS guys are pros, and most in the profession would agree. A lot of the reports MTAS and CTAS write end up on the shelf, because when it is all said and done, most people in the position to make change, really don’t want outside advice…
August 20, 2008 at 6:17 pm
I was advised today that there is a court order directing the county to develop fire tax districts. I am of the opinion that fire protection and emergency services would be best covered by the county rather than fire tax districts, however, that opinion is based on the principle that the county would be equitable and responsible with the fire protection and emergency services by ensuring that everyone had proper coverage. However, I recognize two things that may change my mind. The first is that the county hasn’t got a history of providing adequate coverage anywhere, none less in Mt. Juliet. The second is a little more abstract. Fire tax districts would ensure that those people who live in densely populated areas are protected by firemen and emergency services personnel who are properly equipped and trained to handle the issues that need to be handled in that area and the people who live in the county have what they need to cover their area. Fire tax districts would more equitably tax citizens for fire protection and emergency services.
I don’t know how I feel about that just yet. The idea of paying less in taxes is appealing to me, however, there is a limit to how micro taxation should become. I guess I still don’t know enough yet. Being ignorant on a topic of discussion is so frustrating!
August 20, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I moved from an area that was ALL volunteer fire departments. The next county over had full-time fire fighters. The costs to run the departments was not too different since heafty insurance and benefit plans were required in both cases as well as all the training, buildings, materials and everything else that goes along with running a department.
The volunteer department however received a large amount of their budget from donations rather than taxes and they did quite well. One of the things they did every year was go door to door and take donations for the department along with providing a free service of some kind. One year they repainted the house numbers on the curb, another year, they put the TOT Stickers on the kids windows, another year they tested fire alarms and provided the 9 Volt batteries.
August 20, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Chris,
What I mentioned as the cost for the station was specific to my current fire hall. Its like we both know it all depends on what you want in the station depends on the cost. You could build a station for 500,000 if you didn’t care how well it fits in the community and want bare essentiols
Yes, the volunteers that are being raised are specifically to serve MJ. This was part of the contract that was signed in 2006. One thing to point out also is that the MTAS/CTAS study was completed AFTER the contract was signed, so a lot of the issues that were raised in the report were not discussed during contract negotions.
Another point about the folks at MTAS/CTAS. When they do studies they are looking at the numbers and what fits within parameters. Like Chris mentioned, yes they have some supporters but also have departments and goverments that are against their recommendations. You need to remember that both consultants have a lot of experience working with volunteer organizations, i.e. Ray Crouch worked for Kingston Springs (volunteer) and Kevin Lauer worked for Fairview (combination). Sometime that causes an issue with the career personnel because MTAS tend to look at the volunteers as more of an option than say a career department would. There is not many all career departments, that are very supportive of taking positions and replacing them with volunteer firefighters. It would be similar to working at a business and your boss coming in and saying sorry we are reducing full time people so we are going to replace your position with someone we don’t have to pay. I would put a bad taste in your mouth
Chris, do you work for Smyrna Fire Department or the Airport?
August 20, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Sean,
I work directly for the Airport. I was at BNA previously and when Smyrna Airport started a department, they recruited me and I jumped at the chance. Mutual aid is through Smyrna and Lavergne. I honestly have the best gig out there. I also instruct for the state on aviation crash rescue. Why is it such a good job? I borrow multi-million dollar aircraft by just asking and then run firefighters through them on drills and the people who own the aircraft ask when I need it again. That’s the environment I work in. Come out sometime and I’ll give you the tour. We have some toys you would get a kick out of.
As for the station costs, I felt the need to point out the difference in what a Williamson County station would cost versus what most stations are. Trust me, I wish I had your station. I think most firefighters would.
The volunteers were discussed before the other contract was signed. I was only pointing out the reason for the volunteers was to get MJ involved and it was a good place to start. It appeared that Butch was under the impression that each station might need that many volunteers. You and I both know that would be a nightmare for WEMA, or any agency. Butch, if that was not the case, that was what I gathered from your post.
I think you might want to get with Gentry Fox and ask his opinion of Ray Crouch before you rush to judgement. I believe you already know Kevin Lauer. The other study, well, I haven’t seen it and the first time I had heard of it was when you mentioned it. Who were the people involved in it?
August 20, 2008 at 8:44 pm
As far as volunteers are concerned, I went from the MTAS/CTAS study. It says that stations staffed with a minimum of 2 full time personnel should be staffed with 10 additional volunteers and those with less than two full time personnel should be staffed with 15 volunteers. So, I went to the recommended stations and full time staffing chart and I did the math. Again, this issue is way off my area of expertise, I am trying to put together some framework for what kind of money is needed. You guys are way more informed and qualified to develop the numbers than I am, I am simply trying to move the ball down the field.
I come up with a maximum number of $60 million. Do you think this is high enough?
$60 million is a very doable number financially if it is spread over five years? $60 million over five years is 12 million per year. 12 million divided by 40,000 homes comes to 300 per home per year. That comes to less than $1 per day per home. With matching funds and other donations, as well as fundraisers and perhaps carnivals and other events, perhaps some raffles, that number could come way down from $1 per home per day. However, if the MTAS/CTAS study is right, we would experience a savings of as much as 8 million in insurance once it is complete. This, from a businessman’s perspective, is a very good investment. Spend $60,000,000 over five years with a continuing cost of perhaps 4 million and save 8 million per year forever! You have a ten year break even and then 4 million savings each year from then on.
However, that isn’t considering the appeal factor. It also doesn’t consider the vertical growth that can happen with taller buildings being built here. Think Maryland Farms and Century City. Fire protection is something that needed to be tended to for everyone’s sake.
August 20, 2008 at 9:24 pm
The ISO rating is based on much more than fire station availability. Water availability, volume, and pressure improvements made by West Wilson Utility District were responsible for taking Mt. Juliet from a 7 to a 5 in 2004.
http://www.wilsoncountyema.com/pubdocuments/iso_rating.pdf
Taking Mt. Juliet to a rating of 3 will not save much more on anyone’s insurance premium. It is still a great thing to strive for, but the real insurance savings came by becoming a 5.
There is some “ISO envy” going on in Wilson County but it is based on a misunderstanding of the rating system. To take the number lower in most rural areas will require improvements to the water supply infrastructure. 60 million more funding for WEMA will not add any water lines.
August 20, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Isn’t this complex?
How in the hell can a dysfunctional city commission, such as the one we currently have, overcome 36+ years of enmity between Mt. Juliet and Wilson County when we are dealing with such complex issues that involve so many factors and aspects and that are so important? We need a civil civil government in this city and a civil civil government at the county level. What is called for here is cooperation and civility…something Mayor Elam missed in law school and something that is completely lost on Ray Justice altogether. Time for change in Mt. Juliet.
August 21, 2008 at 6:23 am
Butch. I agree with you on this point. We need a new commission in the city that will work WITH the county instead of battling against them. After all, aren’t we all here to live as neighbors and live our lives to the fullest? If all we ever do is bicker back and forth we will dye a bitter life and hopefully our children will learn from our mistakes. How do we expect our children to get along on the playground if all the city/county governments ever do is fight to see who has the bigger sandbox…
August 21, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Chris,
Actually I met Ray more through Shane Ray with Pleasant View since Shane was my Lt. at Brentwood Fire.
Gentry and I have discussed this topic in the past since Gentry used to be my Assistant Chief for my first year and a half at FFD
I will have to take your up on your offer to come down and see your equipment. Working at BNA I’m sure you might know some of our past BNA guys from FFD.
August 21, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Sounds good. Call me. 579-6068
August 21, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Chris, you will be a great County Commissioner. Your committment to improvements are already in the works, Thank You…
August 24, 2008 at 1:02 pm
It seems everywhere I go, someone tells me that the sales tax increase from Providence should take care of all of our problems. Earlier, someone on this web site even stated that the Providence sales tax revenues from December alone would build and fund a fire station for an entire year, but for some strange reason, coincidence or not, it seems that post has been erased…
Here are the figures so that everyone can realize that while Providence is creating revenue, it is not the fix all. It adds a lot, but it also creates expense while creating revenue.
The sales tax in Wilson County is 9.25
The state takes the first 7 pennies
Inside any city limits, the city and county split the 2.25 so now it is 1.125.
The half or 1.125 pennies that the county gets from inside the city limits goes to education funding.
I do not have the numbers from Providence alone, but the entire city of MJ took in a half of a million dollars in sales tax revenues in December 07, according to the speach that Elam gave on the state of the city. That would mean that 40 million dollars were spent inside the city of MJ during December 07.
In other words, 80 million dollars have to be spent inside the city limits for the city of MJ to generate $1 million in sales tax. That number is not exact, because the sales tax on food is 5.5 instead of the full 7 percent, and then add in the local option of 2.25.
It takes one penny of property tax for the county to raise approximately 250k in revenue. The city of MJ say they have 1.84 billion in property value. If the city were to raise the property tax rate from zero to fund a Fire Department, Parks, etc. it will raise approximately forty six thousand for every penny of property tax. If they were to set a tax rate of twenty five cents, it would only raise 1.15 million dollars. You can do the math from there. The Lebanon Fire Department has an approximate budget of 3 million per year, and it would take a property tax rate in the city of MJ of around seventy five cents to raise 3.5 million dollars in revenue. For a 200k home, that amounts to $375 a year in MJ property tax.
Check my numbers and let me know if you find any errors, but I think that is correct.
August 24, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Mr. Sorey,
First of all you are wrong about the post being deleted:
http://radiofreemj.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/headlines-from-the-mt-juliet-news-august-13-2008/#comment-2268
You are also wrong about what the post said. Publius said: “In fact, the County receives more December sales tax money from Providence Marketplace than it costs to build and man a fire station for a year.”
You said: ” someone on this web site even stated that the Providence sales tax revenues from December alone would build and fund a fire station for an entire year, but for some strange reason, coincidence or not, it seems that post has been erased…”
Publius never said what you said nor did he (or she) erase the post. Funding a station and manning a station is not the same thing.
In the process of making these two mistakes, you totally missed the point being made – Mt. Juliet pays a lot of money to the county from Providence Marketplace sales tax. I have no idea if Publius is correct to the exact dollar on December sales tax. But the county does take a lot of money here. Surely you can admit that.
You seem to be falling into the trap of thought believing Mt. Juliet is not paying its fair share to the county for emergency services. Your remedy is for Mt. Juliet to pay more through a 75 cent property tax. We will have to agree to disagree on this one.
Good luck getting re-elected.
August 24, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Will the county give us a discount? Currently I pay the county for this service (fire). If the county no longer provides this service and the city takes over, I should, by all rights, get a discount or a rebate from the county right? I would not be asked to pay for the same services twice?
August 24, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Lex,
The post was not deleted, and thanks for finding it. It did say build and man, not build and fund which was from memory. You are splitting hairs with that though. If YOU can build and man a fire station for $500,000, which is what the county recieved from Providence for that particular month, then YOU need to step up. Estimates on the building alone are one to two million. Either way, stand up and say where your opinion lies on this issue. Who, in your opinion, should provide the service? City or County? Re-election? Give it a rest.
The math doesn’t lie. There are funding issues for multiple programs in the entire county with education being on the top of the list as of now. I gave the numbers so that you can make an informed opinion. I did not advocate a property tax in MJ, and have said quite often that I believe the county should provide the fire protection. I also believe that MJ will institute a property tax and create its own FD. Instead of writing behind a screen name, why not have lunch at the new meat and three, Bakers Cafe? 579-6068.
Glen Linthicum,
Are you serious? Call and ask for the rebate. Be sure and tell them you don’t have children in the public schools so that they give you that tax break as well. Let me know how that goes…
August 24, 2008 at 10:26 pm
There is no better or cheaper way to provide fire service than a county system funded through fire tax districts. Mt. Juliet residents already overpay the county for fire service now.
Every new business and home built in this county pays in money for this service. The more that is built, the more money goes to the county – money to fund all services provided by the county. Not just schools.
Glen is right. If Mt. Juliet goes into the fire business, Wilson County owes the Mt. Juliet homeowners some property tax money back.
August 25, 2008 at 8:18 am
I did some more math, and it looks like MJ residents pay approximately $10,250,000 in property taxes each year. Local option sales tax was around 6 million or so, and that may be a little high. It will continue to increase, but it is not nearly as significant as most believe. For a rough number, figure around $16,000,000 a year from inside the city limits that goes to the county. By the time you pay for the schools, there is not much left for the jail, courts, health department, WEMA, etc.
The impact fees go to capital outlay projects. It is currently $3,000 per home. There was a study a few years ago that detailed the costs of growth, and although I do not remember what the number was, I do know it was significantly higher than the impact fees that are currently in place. If you raise the impact fees, it will kill growth in this market.
I don’t know about you Lex, but we don’t have a single credit card in our home. I prefer to pay for what I need, when I need it. If I can’t pay for it, I save until I can. I think our governments should operate that way as well. If not, we will quickly go from one of the lowest property taxes in the state to one of the highest. It looks like an increase is just a few days away as it is.
August 25, 2008 at 9:12 am
Hang on Chris!
Why would I pay the same amount and receive less service? Yes my children go to public schools and a portion of my taxes go to pay for that. The key word is “portion”. Another portion of my taxes go to pay for fire services and that is the portion I am speaking about. Forgive me I am a “KISS” (keep it simple stupid) kind of guy and maybe I am missing something here.
August 25, 2008 at 9:27 am
Chris,
I am not sure about your numbers, but I applaud your effort to get a grasp of the situation.
However, you are seemingly only investigating the supply side, meaning revenue side, of the budget. The other side of the budget is even more important. You are saying that you pay for things as you go, and I think that is great, and you say that the government should do the same, and I think that would be great as well. However, there is fat in the budget somewhere, especially in Mt. Juliet. You can’t increase 100% in your revenue column in 5 or 6 years and not have a budget surplus unless you have allowed spending to get out of control.
The thing that everyone should really be pinging on is the fact that I was able to prove that the board of commissioners passed a budget based on a budget workbook that had many errors in it, one of which was as much as $4,000,000. Folks, if they were doing what they were elected to do that could never have happened. If you don’t keep your eye on the budget there is no way you can avoid high taxation! They missed a $4,000,000 error, and even when it was brought to their attention and I showed them, they chose to ignore it! If an error that large can get past them anything can, and probably does, get past them!
I have no real good idea what is going on at the county level, but if the same thing is going on at that level there is no wonder there is a money crunch!
Chris, keep digging in, look at the inflows “and” the outflows. I realize that this issue with fire protection is a serious issue to you, and I am glad it is, but this has to be set straight properly.
If this city has a property tax increase it won’t be the end of the world, but a property tax increase should only be passed if there is an equitable solution to the problem of double taxation.
What we are looking for isn’t a free ride on the county, what we are looking for is “equity”. We cannot accept anything less than a win-win.
August 25, 2008 at 10:13 am
Glen, when your children graduate, should the county refund that portion of your tax dollars that go to education?
August 25, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Chris you’ve missed the point. If I pay taxes to the county for a service and pay again to the city for the same service have I not payed twice for the same thing?
August 25, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Sorry Glen, but your argument is the same as if you don’t have children in school, or if you home school. In that scenario, you would not benefit either and your taxes fund education. At least from fire protection, you would benefit from mutual aid from the county if it was needed.
Do I need to say it again? I believe the county should provide the fire protection.
August 29, 2008 at 8:49 am
It’s interesting how this issue seemed to just drop away all of a sudden. Again, unless there is action on this matter, rather than just talk (although talk is important) nothing will change.
August 29, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Sorry Butch took a vacation. By no means is this issue dropping off.
With the new budget at the county being status quo it looks that we won’t see any additional staffing or equipment in MJ at least for now.
I’m all for seeing a committee get put together to work on plans for the future. It will take a few meetings just to get a consensus to see who should run it, county or city. Between half saying they don’t want to duplicate effort by paying twice, so we should stay with the county. Then another side, saying we need to fund it ourself since the county is not going to give us anything additional then what we have. This is due to the fact that there are portions of the county that don’t have any fire protection or little if any, so they need to get these areas up to par first. As long as we continue to look to county to provide us more, we will be waiting.
Another thing that needs to be discussed too, is yet another option. Say the City of Mt. Juliet provideds additional funds to the county for additional fire protection. Do the residents feel comfortable giving more money to the county with no control on how its spent locally. There is already an issue of the openess of the budget and how things are spent at WEMA already, i.e. personnel issues, equipment, and staffing.
One thing I haven’t seen a comment about either, is the thoughts around the city buying the old Bobby Hamilton building to use as a public safety center. I personally thing this would be a very good move with the access and space available over there.
August 29, 2008 at 5:11 pm
You have touched on most of the larger issues that need to be resolved – money and control being the really controversial ones.
Part of the conflict is structural. The area controlled by the cities of Lebanon and Mt. Juliet is not the same as the logical geographic area which could/should be protected by fire departments in the two cities. There needs to be a solution which solves the structural conflict between the areas under the jurisdiction of Lebanon & Mt. Juliet and the logical areas which can be protected with a centrally located firehall (or firehalls).
There is a way to use fire tax districts to solve this – but it’s a bit out of the box.
Step one: create 3 fire tax districts. One for the territory covered by the City of Lebanon – include areas both inside and outside the Lebanon city limits. Create a second district for the territory covered by the City of Mt. Juliet – again, draw a logical boundary – about half the area covered by the MJ fire hall is outside the MJ city limits. Create a third fire-tax district that is “the rest of the county.” Fire tax districts can have their own property tax rates. Take the money collected from the Lebanon fire tax district and give it to Lebanon to fund (or help to fund) their fire department. Take the money collected from the Mt. Juliet fire tax district and give it to the city of Mt. Juliet to fund (or help to fund) their fire department. Take the money from the “all other” fire tax district and give it to WEMA to fund their operations that protect the rest of the county.
This would require the co-operation of the county commission, since they are the only legislative body with the authority to establish fire tax districts and to set the rates…
- Publius
August 29, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Now there is an idea I could get behind! But can the “east west debate” be over come? I would hope so. does anybody know when Gilbert’s term is up?
August 29, 2008 at 5:49 pm
All terms expire every four years. The East/West debate will be hard to overcome, but anything is possible.
The idea of fire tax districts in and of itself might be a good idea for some areas, but Lebanon has a property tax as is, and as such, they are their own district, and have instituted that tax already.
There are a lot of options out there, so keep throwing ideas around. Glen was right. With the status quo and the funding issues, it won’t be anytime soon coming from the county. The best we could hope for would be another station in the area, but outside of the city limits.
August 30, 2008 at 7:55 am
I used to live in Illinois when I was going through training in the Navy. The area I lived in had a Fire Protection concept that I haven’t heard of elsewhere. Each property owner was responsible for paying the fire department directly, you weren’t taxed for fire protection in other words. If you paid the fire department you were a member and your home was protected, if you didn’t, you weren’t a member and you weren’t protected. If you were not a member and your home caught on fire the fire department would show up at the fire to protect the surrounding buildings (If they were members), but they would let your home burn to the ground. Now, I didn’t like the idea that someone would allow a home to burn to the ground just because the owners weren’t members of a fire department, but the concept of a private fire department was intriguing.
As I understand it, companies operate ambulance service as a for-profit entity. Could we operate some sort of private fire protection/emergency service operation here? I mean, if we were to develop a countywide fire protection/emergency services organization to handle this need, wouldn’t it take the government politics out of the equation? I mean, after all, we are going to eventually pay the tab for whatever services we are provided anyway, and with the way things are politically here in Wilson County, we are likely to pay more than necessary for the services if we leave it in the hands of the politicians, so why not take it over with a private organization that each Wilson County Resident has a right to join? I am sure that there could be more than one option for financing the operation so that everyone is covered regardless of whether or not they contribute or not. (I have a thought in mind of how to cover people who cannot afford or will not pay the membership fee, but I will reserve it for now.)
If not a private enterprise, how about organizing a citizen’s action committee to force the governments of Wilson County to cooperate and provide proper and adequate protection and service? This site is a wonderful place to express ourselves to one another, and a decent place to make statements that we know the local politicians see from time to time, however, what will get things done is organizing.
How about this, what if I were to reserve a place for people to meet to discuss this issue?
What day of the week would be best?
Seriously, if we don’t “do” something about this all we are doing is “talking”. I am sure that we could get a lot of people together and organize a citizen’s action committee to force these governments to deal with these services more responsibly.
Remember when the Houston Oilers were coming Nashville? Remember the yellow and red signs all over the area? Perhaps we need to take a page from their playbook (Pun intended).
In order to get community involvement you need to educate, inspire, and motivate people to action. Most people don’t have a clue how inadequate the fire protection and emergency services in this county are, nor do they have a clue what is needed to bring those services up to par. They get up, go to work, come home, and live life, never realizing that they are not properly protected in the event of an emergency.
I will say it again, we need a plan of action. In order to build a plan of action we we need to know; what is needed, how much is needed, where it is needed, when it is needed, and who will provide it. This is a sales process; in order to make a good sale you have to: 1) convince the prospect that you are someone they want to do business with 2) you need to completely and fully identify the need, 3) you need make a convincing and compelling presentation that proves beyond a reasonable doubt that your product or service will best fill the need at a price the prospect can afford and would be willing to pay, 4) you need to isolate and overcome the prospects objections to your offer, and 5) you need to close the deal (which includes, getting the go ahead from the prospect, identifying who is going to pay and how payment will be rendered).
Let’s break this down:
Who is going to do the selling? I think compelling television ads can be made to make the issue a front burner topic in the community. Imagine turning on your television and seeing a house burning down as the opening scene of a commercial. As the house burns a person wearing fire protection gear enters the frame from the right side of the scene. He says; “If you live in Wilson County, you have reason to be worried. Wilson County politics have left us under-protected in the event of fire or emergency. Wilson County has had a comprehensive assessment conducted through the cooperative efforts of the University of Tennessee’s County Technical Assistance (CTAS) and the University of Tennessee’s Municipal Technical Advisory Service, which are organizations that were formed to help make local governments more effective and efficient. Due to politics, the findings of those organizations sit on the shelves of the governments of Wilson County and collect dust while the people who live in Wilson County continue to go under-protected.
Please join the citizens of Wilson County who have determined that something must be done to ensure that we are properly protected by logging on to http://www.WilsonCountyCares.org (website is available btw.) to learn more about the risks to you and your loved ones, what is needed to adequately protect your family and friends, and to find out how you can help. Don’t leave the protection of your family and friends to the whim of politics in Wilson County, join in and together we can make a difference….your life or the life a loved one may depend on it.”
Now imagine yard signs popping up through-out the county. Bumper stickers, people holding signs, door hangers going out around the county, bulk mail drops, radio spots, e-mail campaigns, people wearing shirts, etc. Folks, we “can” have adequate fire protection if we want it bad enough, we just have to be willing to pay the price to get it.
All of this and a whole lot more could be done, however, the first thing that has to be done is discovery of the facts and the formation of a plan of action.
It has to come off this blog and into a room in order to accomplish anything. If not now, then when? If not you, then who?
I say; “Let’s take one of the most critical issues we face and depoliticize it”! Fire Protection and Emergency Services are critical functions that affect each and every citizen regardless of geographical boundaries. “We are all in the same boat, and if we are going to all be in the same boat, we should at least all row in the same direction!”
We need to make the sale to Lebanon that there is a better way. We need to make the sale to the folks living in unincorporated Wilson County that there is a better way. We need to make the sale to Watertown that there is a better way. We need to make the sale to those living in Mt. Juliet that there is a better way. We need to make the sale that cooperation is better than politics, all day, every day, all the time. Finally, we need to make the sale that we are serious and that we are going to find a solution to this problem no matter what!
So the question is; “Are we going to just sit around and talk about how much we need better fire protection and emergency services, or are we going to do something about it?
August 30, 2008 at 8:48 am
I agree Chris that there is a need for another station in the area, the question who is going to pay for everything that is utilized by the station. The construction, equipment, and personnel costs.
Everyone makes a good point. You may want to look at another district and add Watertown since they have their own department also.
With Lebanon wanting more funding from a county level, if it was agreed by all governments to a plan that had all the districts on board it would be a good thing.
Commissioner Graves term ends in 2010.
September 1, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Hope all of you are doing well, most seen my name being tossed around not long ago for the Mt. Juliet City Commissioner for District 1 race. I had recieved some much appreciated support for that, I wanted to let folks know that I regret backing down from candidacy, however I got together with some of my colleagues and we made the decision that trying to put some of our own in office in 2010 would be more beneficial to the people of the county. We definitey agree that Mt. Juliet’s administration needs an enema, but it seems as if there is more complacency on the county level. (No offense Mr. Sorey, we look forward to working with you as you set sail in stagnant waters)
I’m no politician, but I am a dedicated public safety professional in our community and my priority is to bring the issue of public safety deficits to the community’s attention. The professional firefighters/EMS personnel in this community need everyone’s support to direct current and future leadership to take the first step whatever it may be. There are several ideas, I believe it should be up to the people to decide what is best for them. We have relied on a complacent local government to take care of the people who elected them to do so. We are at a higher risk of life and property loss in this community right now than ever before. I have described situations in previous comments that are evident that we have to do something now or else the next close call will end in absolute tragedy. I worry that our luck is running out friends.
I could type all day and never run out of interesting material that would shock and scare the average person beyond their imagination. Bad things are going to happen, accidents, sudden cardiac arrest, fires, severe weather, whatever it may be. When these things happen, you find lunatics like myself who are willing to fix what can be fixed. However we can’t fix it if we don’t have the tools we need. “We have been keeping our heads above the water by treading through rough seas long enough, we’re drowning now. Current leaders need to throw us a lifejacket here. Most importantly, it seems as if we must elect some officicals who are ready to atleast get their feet wet.”
(With the exception of Mr. Sorey and some commissioners with public safety experience) I wish members of city and county commissions could see for themselves what it takes to pull up in someone’s driveway when family members are screaming for help. As we tried to resuscitate a man one morning, a little boy probably 5-6 years old held his fishing pole in one hand and asked me if his pa-pa could still take him fishing that day …
Some of my colleagues pointed out to me one night that as rats were running out of a buidling on fire, we were the ones running in…
Man! We should have been an attorney or something, at least then we could get paid for arguing our point. Or, if nothing else we could then become an elected official and hook up with some developers, take a right onto ethics lane, a left on moral avenue, and park at Corruption Bank and Trust. Then, after making a hefty deposit, we could run for re-election,…hmm? Now that takes more guts than fighting fire and crime ever could!
Sounds like an exciting career change with lots to gain personally. Oh wait, I forgot… none of us really want to mess over the people we serve. Alright, nevermind on that idea then.
Enough said, I would like to envite everyone in the community to attend a public meeting on resolving the public safety /emergency services deficit. The members of the Wilson County Professional Firefighters Association will host this meeting on Saturday, September 20th at 1800 hours (6pm) at the Mt. Juliet Community Center. We will be advertising this starting next week in local papers, etc. I am personally going to invite all candidates running for local offices and we are looking forward to seeing current leaders and potential future officials there as well. There will be food and drinks on hand. This has been arranged to serve as an educational function to raise awareness to citizens and help us gain support to better protect our community. If anyone on this site needs more info, please contact me. Please set your schedule for the evening of Sept. 20th, 6pm Charlie Daniels Park. Look for more details in upcoming days. Thank you all and please continue to show support for those who chose to make a difference in our community.
Brent N. Dyer, Paramedic/Firefighter
President, WCPFFA
I.A.F.F. Local 4238
mbdyer@tds.net
(615)440-6657
September 1, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Brent,
So we can get your opinion on record like the others on this.
You mention that Mt. Juliet is not adequatelly protected with regards to emergency services like everyone else (since nobody yet has said that we are protected). So who should pay for it in your opinion as the voice of the Wilson Professionals, Mt. Juliet or Wilson County?
September 1, 2008 at 10:00 pm
I am a career firefighter and have been a volunteer. I am also a DOD firefighter for the Army National Guard. I appriciate all the talk about what to do to protect my family and yours. One source we have not talked about in funding, as pertaining to the increasing demand for better fire protection and emergency medical services is the Federal grants that are out there. Both the cities and the county have people on the payroll who write grants for them. I know Nashville Fire recieves grants and recieved one that helped pay for the hire of new fireifhgters. I have helped in this process when I lived in AZ and was a volunteer and DOD firefighter. There is lots of money there and we need to seek after it.
Keep up the good talks and fight for a great cause,
Seth Frost
Also a side note, I disagree with the privatiation of the fire service, I have seen the focuss of life safety get thrown out the window just to get paid. Look at the history of firefighting and see the battles that were fought between the two organizations.
September 2, 2008 at 4:55 am
LaVergne is a private department and one other left in TN but I can’t remember where it is. It is paid for the service by the city, and everyone is protected. They work longer hours than most but they are good at what they do and have a good mutual aid mindset. Even though it works for them, my personal opinion is that it is not the way to go when it comes to our needs in this county. A privately owned department still has to provide the service while making a profit. The county tried that with the school bus scenario and it worked for a while but it is gone now.
September 2, 2008 at 7:54 am
Chris,
The other is Rural Metro that covers Knox County. Knoxville has its own and Rural Metro covers the county.
I agree that privatization shouldn’t be an option here.
The grants are a very good resource and should be utilized. The problem you have is based on the make-up of most of the county (rural) and the area covered is sq. miles. If the county put in for a grant for an aerial for example. If you are looking at the area coverage as being mostly rural with 1 building over 4 stories in the jurisdication of the department, it could not be justified. If you submitted this same application as just the City of Mt. Juliet limits, it could be justified since you have one 5 story building, three 3 story buildings and a high amount of planned and currently constructed commercial construction in an area of 20 sq. miles. This on top of the 25,000 residents would increase our chances of getting an award.
The issue though is that the county can’t request a grant for just one area, but if the city had its own department it could.
September 2, 2008 at 11:00 am
Shawn,
So would you be an advocate of fire tax districts
September 2, 2008 at 11:25 am
If it allowed for a reliable source of funding to increase the level of fire protection for that specific district then yes I think it would be a good possible option.
This would allow for the residents that are paying a considerable amount of tax the option to have a higher level of service also.
The issue though would be finding what the base amount of funding would be for each district that would be agreed to by the incorporated towns. For instance, Lebanon currently funds their department with a 3 million dollar budget. What portion of that 3 million dollars would be covered by the fire district tax and what portion would the city be responsible for since they have an independent department, same for Watertown.
Also, the base would have to be defined to figure out what amount of funding the unincorporated portions that fall in the county would receive. If you set up tax districts for the more rural areas the amount they would receive would be little population if you looked at a flat per household tax.
Lots of variables out there, but looking at having a tax that was city based would solve the issue just as well since Lebanon and Watertown already fund their departments from within.
So the short answer is yes, if the money from the fire tax that was raised in Mt. Juliet stays in Mt. Juliet, Lebanon in Lebanon, Watertown in Watertown, etc.. for the sole purpose of better protecting our families and providing more manpower to whatever fire department is in place.
September 2, 2008 at 11:06 pm
From another voice of the “brotherhood”,
I will mention that we are protected. Everyone in Wilson County is protected by some of the absolute best firefighters, EMT’s, and Paramedics in the state of Tennessee. We are cross-trained in all areas of emergency response which is a value to the citizens we serve, eventhough we don’t see fair financial supplementation of this level of dedication and professionalism.
My opinion and the opinions I have heard from my colleagues is that Mt. Juliet needs to fund its own fire department, however most of our people agree that WEMA could continue services in the city, but there would need to be a big check wrote by Mt. Juliet to supplement equipment and manpower. Many people may not agree with this, don’t mean to burn any bridges here, it just seems obvious when other cities such as Gallatin, Murfreesboro, Lebanon, Cookeville, Springfield, Hendersonville, and many others in the middle Tennessee area have their own paid fire departments.
Here we have a city of 25,000 people with no fire department of its own. This is an embarassment to me and other professional firefighters in this community. Not only are we ashamed of the fact that our own families, friends, and neighbors have inadequate protection here, it is obvious that if it continues this community will see a loss of life or valued infrastructure, perhaps more so than before.
Wilson County has a Sheriff’s Department, that didn’t stop Mt. Juliet from establishing a police department paid for by the city. I find myself asking the question, what’s a priority, getting to make money off of speeding tickets or keeping homes and businesses from burning to the ground.
The state requires the county to provide a paid EMS service, adequate or not, we do or best with what we have to work with, but the whole fire department thing comes down to the idealology of “you get what you pay for…”
Here is a quick example of how citizens county wide suffer from the political bickering over territorial emergency response. One week ago, I responded on my usually assigned ambulance to Hartsville Pike for a reported motor vehicle accident with a roll-over. Dispatch had also sent our fire engine from station 1 as people calling 911 reported a man who was trapped in the accident. We arrived on the scene in the ambulance, but before we could do much for the patient, we had to wait longer than we should have to get him out because the fire/rescue unit closest to that area was busy in our light duty rescue truck running a call inside Lebanon’s city limits.
There is no reason for this when Lebanon has three stations of their own, they could help us out more inside Lebanon city limits. However, I have been told by officials from Lebanon that this great idea will never happen until the county stops letting Mt. Juiet get away with not having the same responsibilites as the city of Lebanon does in the area of fire service. Again, just one of many examples of how some areas have a duplication of services, and others have little or none.
People in Mt. Juliet are just as important as people in Lebanon, and those people are just as important as people in Gladeville, Lakeview, Norene, Watertown, or Statesville.
A better resolution that would best serve everyone in Wilson County would be a fire deparment and EMS that was one united entity, such as a metro-style department. It would eliminate east vs. west, one tax rate for the whole county, and resources could be spread out more thoughout all of Wilson County, aerial apparatus in urban areas, tankers in rural areas, evenly distributed EMS units, since we cannot predict where the next life threatening emergency will happen. That would probably be the best scenario as far as public safety goes, but getting that to happen would be near impossible in the Wilson County political theatre. So, we know that will probably never happen, therefore it seems as if the quickest and best way people who live, work, and play in the city between the lakes will get adequate fire protection is for Mt. Juliet to have a department of its own, I personally would be willing to pay a little property tax if it means my family and home is better protected. More so, as a professional responder in this community, our folks are at an increased risk every time we have a significant fire in this community due to inadequate manpower and equipment. Let’s all hope this gets fixed before we see a firefigher’s body being carried to a cemetary on the rear of the fire engine, even worse a citizen who didn’t even see it coming.
September 3, 2008 at 6:17 am
Mr. Dyer,
I am not a firefighter but I am a taxpayer. The county gets a lot of money from people like me here in Mt. Juliet.
You admit the best solution is a countywide fire / emergency service “Metro-style” system. I agree with you. That is what we currently have.
The problem is that the county continues to take more and more money from Mt. Juliet / West Wilson County taxpayers to provide higher levels of fire service but never provide a higher level of service.
This is not the only example of the county taking money yet not providing service. Wilson County charges rather high building permit fees – fees that, by law, should be used to pay the cost of inspections. But Wilson County has no building code. There is no high cost to inspect structures here because there is no adopted building code! The money taken for inspections is absorbed into the general fund and pays for other things.
If you ask why Wilson County is the only Middle Tennessee County not to have a building code the answer will be that there is not enough money to pay building inspectors. And that is because it has already been spent on something else.
That sounds a lot like the answer you get when fire service is brought up. You want to reward this dysfunction by double (or triple) taxing Mt. Juliet taxpayers to provide a service they are already overpaying for? I don’t.
September 3, 2008 at 6:25 am
Brent,
As I understand it, the county has been ordered by the court to develop fire tax districts. Supposedly they did set up a fire tax district that would have once again siphoned tax dollars out of Mt. Juliet so that those dollars could be spent somewhere else in the county. Apparently, that plan was shot down and nothing else was ever done about it. I am told that the county is in violation of a court order. If all of this is true, all we really need to do is press the issue that the county is not following a court order.
In other words, it would be to our benefit in Mt. Juliet to push for fire tax districts that make sense rather than absorb the costs of Mt. Juliet having its own fire stations and emergency services while still paying the county full price for fire protection and emergency services.
If the city were to take on fire protection right now it would absorb the entire cost of fire protection. But it gets worse. If Lebanon thinks that they get bad service from the county now, wait until Mt. Juliet sets up its own fire protection services. If we had our own services the county would be less likely to provide services inside any incorporated city in Wilson County. They would reallocate equipment and manpower to the unincorporated areas of the county feeling justified because they finally got Mt. Juliet to take on fire protection. They would then say, “you all have your own fire protection and emergency services, the unincorporated people don’t have what you have, so we have to take care of them”.
I don’t completely disagree with the idea of us having our own fire protection and emergency services. I don’t completely disagree with paying a little more to have those services. I do however disagree with paying the county to provide a service, not getting the services we are paying for, setting up our own service in response, paying for our own services, and paying the county not to provide those services. That having been said, I still say that it is best if the county were to provide adequate services to the entire county.
I would much rather see the City of Mt. Juliet try to work this issue out hand-in-hand with the county, and then, in the absence of an agreeable solution, forcing the county, through the courts if necessary, to develop fire tax districts that make sense. If necessary, I would rather see the city of Mt. Juliet sue the county in court, even if it cost a half million to a million dollars to wage the battle, and force the county to develop reasonable fire tax districts than to see Mt. Juliet set up its own fire stations and emergency services and pay for those services “and” pay for the county not to provide those services for perpetuity. The county certainly wouldn’t want to wage this battle in the courts when they already have a court order to do what we are asking, especially if they knew we were serious.
Another thing the city could do to shake things up a bit would be to annex the entire twenty year growth area…that would really shake things up a bit. I mean, if we are going to end up with a property tax, we might as well go all out. Why do things half-way when you can do them all the way?
What to I mean? I mean, if the property tax proponents want a property tax so badly, let’s really do it. Let’s annex all of our growth area all at once, impose a nice size property tax, and then use that property tax to fight the county tooth-and-nail to make them stop taxing us for services they don’t provide! Unless there is some provision in the law that would stop us from getting money through property taxes on newly annexed property, all of a sudden the city of Mt. Juliet would be flush with cash that we could use to wage a war in court. We would then be by far the largest city in Wilson County in terms of numbers of people. We would be on par with Lebanon in terms of land area, perhaps even bigger. We could wage a war in court and use the property taxes of those people who currently live in the county to help pay for it! I mean, if we are going to break with tradition and really put in a property tax, let’s go all the way. The county can’t afford a protracted court battle over this issue, but we could if we enacted a hefty property tax, annexed rest of our growth area, and then used that money to fight the battle.
I wonder what the people who live in the unincorporated portion of our 20 year growth area would do if they knew we were about to annex them into the city and impose a hefty property tax on them if the county didn’t stop this non-sense? Do you think they would say “ok” or do you think they would be screaming at their County Commissioners to end this stand-off?
If we did enact a property tax and annex the rest of our growth area, we would be much more likely to attract more growth to Mt. Juliet because we could provide more services and amenities. We could pay for more roads. Mt. Juliet would have a second explosion of growth. We would soon top 70 to 80 thousand people living here! Are you kidding? Mt. Juliet is a jewel in the Middle Tennessee Area! No other place in the entire Middle Tennessee area has what we have to offer. Two Lakes, a train, close to the air port, shopping, close to downtown, a race track, etc.! We would probably double the size of Mt. Juliet in just four to five years! Imagine the strain that would put on the county considering they still have to provide schools. But then, the county would start screaming about Mt. Juliet providing its own schools. They would look to Lebanon’s special school district and say, “Lebanon is paying part of the costs for education in Lebanon, Mt. Juliet should do the same.”
Mt. Juliet is trying to do things right, in spite of some of the commissioners we have, we are trying to do the right thing right. I still say, in opposition to some of the people who are closest to me, that the best solution is for the county to do the job right and take over all fire protection and emergency services for the entire county and end this political issue. We all end up paying for it one way or another, so why not do it the most effective and economical way to start with.
Peace through strength!
September 3, 2008 at 6:41 am
Thanks Brent.
I was not talking about the training or qualifications of your current staff. Most of the members of WEMA I have come in contact seemed highly qualified and the citizens are lucky to have them.
I don’t care how good a firefighter, emt, paramedic, ect.. you are, but when your running two man engine companies and using a ambulance crew to fight fire, that is not adequatre protection for a town of 25,000. Being cross trained is a good thing when moving personnel between engines and ambulances, but using that same philosophy during operations is risky. I look at ambulance crews personally as being there for medical calls (which that what they are used for most of the time in MJ), not fighting fire when its needed for a medical emergency.
So we can say that from your position you agree that Mt. Juliet should pay more for fire protection as it stands and have no control on how its spent?
September 8, 2008 at 12:19 am
Friends, I have been away for the weekend for some badly needed R&R. I wanted to respond to the questions and comments seen here sooner, but I saw them the morning after I had ran non-stop EMS calls for 24 straight hours and I will admit, I fell asleep reading them.
First, I would like to make sure my position on the issue of fire protection is clearly understood. It is the opinion of myself and my colleagues that the best option for the taxpayers of this county (including all cities) would be one united fire/EMS service, possibly even all public services including law enforcement. This would better serve all people in the county, and would furthermore work to eliminate the political boundaries that I have seen first hand threaten lives of people who live in this county.
Eventhough the idea of metropolitan style public services would be best, I believe that it is a far fetched idea given the number of political egos that would take a beating from this.
For now, and most likely for the future, the best and most definite way to have better protection in the MJ area will be for MJ to establish its own paid fire department. I do not think that MJ should give the county any money for what has not been provided because county government has other priorities than MJ. If MJ established its own fire dept., which may happen, the county will still get tax dollars from MJ for schools, EMS service, etc. I don’t see how we can keep this from happening. I am still surprised MJ got a new high school before Lebanon. When I saw it for the first time, I pulled over and felt the ground to see if hell had indeed frozen over.
Mr. Franklin,
In regards to your comment(s), as you may well know already, at this time we do not have a county-wide fire/EMS cooperation among all entities involved, although most of us wish we did.
- In regards to the comments on buidling codes, I completely agree with you, especially since many building codes are set aside for safety reasons. We’re on the same page here. However, I will tell you that if you or anyone else feels that I personally or any of the local professional firefighters want to reward dysfunction within Wilson County government, in any way what so ever, then you would be badly mistaken. We suffer from the county’s dysfunction everyday we operate with poor staffing and more so every two weeks when we take our checks to the bank. Most important, I apologize if I made it sound like the county needs anymore power to free-lance around the people of MJ’s safety, it sounds like we agree here too.
Lebanon’s officials talk big about having their own fire department in the faces of MJ’s officials, but county fire engines and rescue units continue to respond inside the city limits of Lebanon pretty much every day as Lebanon Fire doesn’t respond on rescue or EMS back-up or first response calls. This being said, I don’t like seeing MJ being blamed for the county’s deficits entirely when it comes to this issue.
In the end, I just want to see people in need get an appropriate response to their call for help in a timely matter that doesn’t involve my colleagues being at risk due to being understaffed and poorly equipped.
Butch,
You should run for mayor. I agree with your ideas friend, but as far as taking the legal route, I would love to do that, but I would not be the one for this job. The reason for this, as I’m sure you realize, is if I pressed the issue of legally forcing or even questioning why the county hasn’t done the right thing, the “mutts” up there at the courthouse, would pick up the phone and make one call… next thing you guys would hear from me is “ahhhh…” which would be the sound of my termination/sigh of relief. Even though that wouldn’t stop me when it came to doing the right thing, I do a lot of positive tasks within WEMA and I really enjoy serving the people who are my famiy and neighbors. I try to not get caught labeled by county officials as a political activist, although that is a risk we take when we want to see the right things get done in life. I look forward to taliking with you more, I believe you have some well thoughtout ideas that we can implement if done strategically, you know… in a polically correct/job security kind of way?…
Last but not least, my friend 1 voice…
Thank you for the nice comments directed towards my colleagues. I will share that with them. Lately, community support is about all I have to try to support the morale with and a compliment like that goes a long way coming from fellow firefighters, even though they won’t tell us who they are. (just picking on ya)
Yes, I agree that MJ needs to pay for more or better fire protection, but this would only be if MJ estabished its own fire department independent of the backwards county government. Like you have seen, I would like to see the more efficient and effective scenario of a county wide united dept., but knowing how politics works, you surely agree that this will most likely never happen, atleast no time soon. Never the less, we will KTF that it will all work our soon.
All of you stay safe,
Brent Dyer
mbdyer@tds.net
September 11, 2008 at 10:11 am
Fire protection…
Roads…
Schools…
Politics…
People, Friends, Neighbors, Family, Politicians good or bad, elected or appointed officials good or bad… we are all people, who have families of our own who need us, and love us, no matter who we are and no matter what others think of the good or bad we do…
Today, September 11, 2008, the 7 year mark of a nationwide life changing event, I will abstain from my comments on how I feel about some of the local political corruption, and instead use today to honor the memories and heroism our country saw 7 years ago, and continues to see today from the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting others.
Please continue to support your public safety heros, regardless of the fact that we won’t get raises or the community may not get what we need to protect them, we continue to serve with pride in our community. The support from citizens like many of the ones using this webiste makes our jobs even more rewarding on a personal level. Thank You so much for that.
Brent Dyer, President
Wilson Co. Firefighers Association
IAFF Local 4238
September 11, 2008 at 2:57 pm
May God bless the 343 brothers and sisters lost 7 years ago as well as the 2700 souls and give them rest in his arms for all eternity. May we never forget their loss and sacrifice. May we find peace in the Love of our Lord.
September 11, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Thank you for your time in reading this letter concerning the issue of fire protection for the citizens of the City of Mt. Juliet. It is written with the intent to educate and consider for future decisions, nothing more. It is not written in anger or desperation, but in the hope of good will. It is not written with the desire for position or power; just protection. I am 44 years old and have lived in Mt. Juliet all of my life. I grew up in the Lakeview area and currently make my home with my wife and son in the Windtree Trace subdivision. I have been an Industrial Firefighter, Medic, and Haz-Mat/Rescue Technician at the DuPont Plant In Old Hickory for the past 15 years and a Firefighter, EMT, Haz-Mat/Rescue Technician for Wilson County Emergency Management Agency for the past 10 years. I am doing the job along side the very best men and women, brothers and sisters, God could possibly bless me with. I am humbled to be in this profession and proud to serve the people in my county and my city.
Mt. Juliet is a jewel in the crown of Middle Tennessee. It has grown and continues to grow into the best place I know to live and raise a family. It gives a sense of pride to see in my lifetime where we were, where we are, and where we are headed. As a boy, my friends and I would sit on the side of Saundersville Road and count maybe 12 vehicles driving by in a day. A third of those would be farm equiptment. Toady, you can see 12 cars in 12 seconds all headed to new developments that used to be working farms. We have grown from party-line phones to 758 to 754 to 773. From a single flashing red/yellow light at Mt. Julit Road and Lebanon Road to nearly a dozen red light intersections, Mt. Juliet is booming. Again, we should be proud of our city and what it has become. My point for consideration is this: We should protect it.
Mt. Juliet has done a great job in the areas of law enforcement and public works. But what of loss prevention and life/health safety? Specifically, in the areas of fire suppression and emergency medical care, not enough has been done given the current and consideration of future growth. Wilson County Emergency Management Agency provides these services to the city. The City of Lebanon has 20,000 citizens with their own fire department and serviced by 2 county ambulances. Mt. Juliet has 25,000 citizens, no fire deoartment of their own (WEMA provides) and serviced by 1 county ambulance. Other med units will respond out of zone to the city (Lakeview, Laguardo, Gladeville) but only 1 unit is stationed in the city. Six weeks ago, my neighbor 2 blocks away fell and required transport to Summit ER for aid to his injuries. His ambulance came from Gladeville because the MJ unit and the Lakeview unit were on calls. He laid ther in pain longer than he should and it breaks my heart that he did.
A confirmed single structure fire in the city of Mt. Juliet will be addressed with the following response: Station 3,4,5,6, and a tanker from WEMA station 1 in Lebanon. Each station consists of 1 engine and 1 ambulance each with 2 personnel for a total of 16 firefighters. Responsibilities include attack lines, rescue, rapid intervention, engineering, salvage/overhaul, safety, and incident command. Those 16 get used up pretty quick but that is not the point. Consider the fact that now you have no fire suppression units or emergency medical units west of Highway 109 and certainly not in the city. Further more, if someone gets sick or injured in the city at this point, their care will be coming from Lebanon or Watertown. This is not the way the it should be and is unacceptable. The City of Mt. Juliet needs its own Fire Deaprtment, firefighters, medics, and equiptment. It should not rely on part-time personnel, volunteers, or mutual aid. Our city has grown to the the point it seems obvious…a full time, paid, and dedicated department. I have no problem with part-time personnel, I am one. I have no problem with volunteers, I am one. I have no problem with mutual aid, I have provided it. But Mt. Juliet needs to stand up and have itself countedwith the same approach it has taken with law enforcement and public works. Mt. Juliet’s growth and futuer growth far outweigh the capabilities of a volunteer department. At the current rate, our city’s industrial/residential size and citizen numbers will require a full time professional department. Let’s be pro active on this so we can be proud of this. Let’s use money wisely and prioritizethe safety, health, and property of the citizens of Mt. Juliet Volunteers, part-time personnel, and mutual can compliment this department in due time.
Again, thank you for the time in reading this and the platform to express. My passion lies in seeing its citizens, my family, and friends properly protected for the furure and all it holds. may the blessings of our Lord be to you all.
September 12, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Thanks Brent and Jamie for your service in the brotherhood protecting our community.
I think all the brothers are wanting to get to the same destination. We just all have different “road maps” when it comes to getting to the Mt. Juliet Fire Department. As we all know we just have to continue planting the seed in the ears of our elected officials of what is needed and how we can fund it.
As we all have said countless times, it all comes down to the mighty dollar.
FTM-PTB-EGH-KTF-DTRT
September 12, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Chris Sorey,
please call me. I had to replace my phone and lost my contact lists. Thanks
Brent Dyer
615-440-6657
mbdyer@tds.net
September 16, 2008 at 8:42 am
As a local EMT-IV/FF in the Mt.Juliet station I would like to take this time to say “We are just asking for manpower to make sure we all go home safe”. As was stated many times in earlier post, when we respond to a structure fire in the city of Mt.Juliet we respond with two personel on the engine. That is if the med unit is on a call. To operate a successful working fire call you have 2 personel per handline, one man working the pump, two personel on deck per handline in case the two inside the fire get in trouble and need to be rescued or just for relief. Thats not including command, if you have shuttle proceedures going on, or any medical on scene for the homeowners or rescue personel. The typical house fire has at least 2 hand lines. We have 4 personel at that station at all times. With saying that, if we get to a house fire and the people on the scene advise there is people in the house, we cannot ethically stand by and wait for another engine to get on the scene to go in. That means the 2 people on that engine have to set the pump, grab a line and go in with no one to make sure we have enough continuing water flow or no one to come in if we get in trouble in the fire.. All we are asking for is to make sure we go home safe to our families. That means more personel and equipment..
September 16, 2008 at 11:19 am
I can’t encourage you fire fighters enough to raise the issue of the Old MJES site as an asset that could be sold at full price and the capital raised used to provide better conditions in the area of fire safety and emergency services.
I appreciate what you folks do to help keep us safe. There is a solution to the fire safety issue and emergency services issue, we just need to “force” the issue to the forefront.
There has to be an acceptable level of provision that can be arrived at.
September 16, 2008 at 11:43 am
I have to agree with Mr. Dyer. about a metro style emergency services department. Let’s take a look at this, If we had a metro style emergency services department we could group our manpower for the good of all of Wilson County. We could even have true PSO officers that are no less than EMT-IV,Firefighter and police officer to first repond on medical, fire and back-up for police calls. We could combine manpower of Wilson County, Lebanon and add for additional stations in Mt.Juliet. There is no easy fix any more. We have had the “make do” attitude for to long now! We need to simply take care of the responders that we put our lifes in thier hands everyday. Let’s make sure they go home to thier families at the end of thier shift. It seems everybody agrees there is not adeqate fire service in Mt.juliet. Now, lets see if we can get together to change that and take care of the responders that risk thier lives to save the the lives of the citizens of Wilson County……..
September 16, 2008 at 1:56 pm
For this to become a reality, the mayor and the city commissioners are going to have to work together. They must be aware that this will be a benefit to all the citizens of the city. For now, table recreational facilities, tennis courts, and localized road projects that only benefit a few and work on something that will be for all. If our city leaders will make this their #1 priority and conduct themselves as true PUBLIC SERVANTS not self serving individuals, professional loss prevention and effective emergency care will come to fruition. All citizens of the City of Mt. Juliet deserve this. Please consider this as you enter the polling places and educate yourselves on the choices. We need good people to do great things.
September 16, 2008 at 3:38 pm
APB: Advise to all…Brent Dyer will be granting an interview to Channel 5 News for broadcast at the 6pm newscast. Please watch and thank you for your heartfelt support.
September 16, 2008 at 3:50 pm
What is needed here is a serious groundswell of citizen activism. Politicians acting alone cannot settle this issue. I agree with most, if not all of what you have said here Jamie, but without serious citizen activism nothing will be accomplished and I will tell you “why” I say that.
County and City political leaders are too “biased” and they have diametrically opposed interests. The East/West divide is too polarized, too wide, and too deep for one or two political leaders to bridge on their own. We would like to think that they could overcome their differences on their own, but I don’t believe that will ever happen. However, with enough citizen pressure, and I believe there would have to be significant pressure, we will never get the county and the city to work together.
What we need is a countywide Ad Hoc Congressional Caucus that includes each and every elected official from this county. In addition to elected officials, the citizens should elect one civilian to chair the caucus (to further remove “politics”). That caucus should be tasked with overcoming the major dividing issues that we face in this county. (this won’t happen in just one session. And I am not suggesting that we redesign our county government by forming an ad hoc committee. Each action taken as a result of the ad hoc congressional caucus would have to be agreed to by each official body and pass according to the laws, regulations, statutes, ordinances, and resolutions of each governmental body. However, letters of intent or conditional agreements could be drawn up in the caucus that become binding upon ratification or approval of the several bodies. )
The issues we face are not so big that they can’t be overcome, but they are of such importance and there are enough passions involved, that they “won’t” be overcome unless rational, responsible, and visionary people come together to find a way to overcome them.
The County feels that Mt. Juliet should provide its own fire protection. They base that perception on the fact that Lebanon has its own fire protection and Watertown has its own fire protection.
Lebanon is of sufficient size, and until recently was the largest city in the county, that it has sway over the political landscape in this county.
The political districts of West Wilson have been developed in such a way that it limits the power of West Wilson County. However, in just a few short years that is going to change drastically and the East is going to watch the political power structure shift westwardly. While I look forward to the day when the West is in more control of the political power structure, I hope that shift won’t be a political slap-shot in which the West “abuses” the East in a retaliation for perceived or real past abuses the west has endured, (either in perception or in reality), from the East.
The major issues are too politically intertwined to segment or isolate. We have to be willing to compromise, negotiate, and cooperate in order to really overcome the obstacles that keep us from developing a working and friendly relationship between the east and the west.
One of the great benefits of a cooperative relationship between the governmental entities that make up this county is that we could develop a “growth friendly” county.
This is my belief regarding Wilson County. I believe that Wilson County contains some of the most beautiful landscape available within a 40 minute drive from downtown Nashville. We have two major lakes right here, and we have Center Hill Lake just down the road a bit. We are not that far from mountainous land. We have a major interstate that runs through the county. We Have a part of 840 running through the county. We have the airport just down the road. We have plenty of space for commercial growth. We have a Nascar Track right down the road. When you look at things geographically, there has been a huge shift in growth to the east side of Middle Tennessee (Consider the growth of Rutherford County, Smyrna, Lavergne, and Mt. Juliet/Wilson County). I believe that, regardless of how fast Mt. Juliet has grown over the past 6 years, growth throughout Wilson County has been stifled by politics. For the record, I am not for a government that promotes growth for the sake of “growth”, but I am for government that presents itself as being open and friendly to business and a government that allows capitalism to flourish. So what I am saying is that if the Government bodies that make up Wilson County were to come together in a “congressional caucus” through which each entity is willing to address all of the dividing issues, define the differences between positions of each entity, isolate the real sticking points, address those sticking points, find solutions, find points of willing compromise, and then develop plans and agreements that will enable us to overcome the polarizing and dividing factors then, and only then, can we move on. But if we do find those solutions, I think we can develop and engineer an environment that will usher in growth of not only retail, but high quality jobs. We need more than quality retail, we need to develop an environment in which major corporations will want to locate large branches of their companies as well as corporate headquarters.
I believe we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to steer this county toward becoming a model community, but that will only happen if we can ever get the power brokers together. I think the only way that is going to ever happen is if citizens get intensely involved and force them to sit down in the same room and address their differences.
Fire Protection is an important component, perhaps the most important component, but it is still only one of many components that create the divide. That divide will never be bridged until we address all of the issues at the same time.
September 16, 2008 at 4:05 pm
I agree with you Butch on that issue that we need to create an environment in which major corporations will WANT to move to Mount Juliet and Wilson County. We are getting a bad rap in the business community that it is too difficult to work with current leaders. This is a great city and county in which we need leaders that can market us as such. One example, trying to sell a nearly worthless piece of land on York Road is like trying to sell a big bag of air (no pun intended).
September 16, 2008 at 5:28 pm
The “County” does not want MJ to provide fire protection. What you hear is the few who do, and they are not “County” but rather others who have interests in other locations.
Again, this did not happen overnight, and it will not be fixed overnight.
September 16, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Chris is right. It will cost the county more money if Mt. Juliet goes into the fire protection business.
This issue is not understood because most people have no idea how small Mt. Juliet really is when compared to the rest of the county.
Only 20 square miles out of 600.
September 16, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I know that Chris is right, but the best defense is a strong offense. It is time to put these issue to bed once and for all. It is time to take the safety of the citizens of Mt. Juliet out of the hands of the politicians and force the adequate provision of fire protection in Mt. Juliet.
I don’t think the county commission is made up of bad people. They have all been very nice and polite to me.
I just think that there is a wall that exists between Mt. Juliet, Lebanon, and the County that needs to be torn down.
September 16, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Brent Dyer called and let me know of a house fire in my district. The home was in Springmont, which is not in the city. The issue of fire protection is something that could effect anyone, no matter where they live. My fear is that the city will create their own FD, leaving pockets of areas that are not as well protected. The other side of the coin is that the city would be mutual aid. As Bobby pointed out, fire districts do not have to stop at the city limits. Either way, station 3, behind city hall was the first on the scene. This is why I believe the Hamilton building is not the best choice for the city. If they put that much into one building, it will become the only building due to the cost. If there is to be more than one station, then they should be at other places, as discussed in the study. If the city is going to have one station, what is the benefit over the county service?
“If” the city decides to create their own, or “if” we can fund more through the county, there are still areas that are many more miles away from a station that would be first on the list.
It all boils down to funding, and as much as I hate to admit it, everyone knows that there are no extra funds right now, city or county.
Luckily, no one was home when the house caught fire, but the family did lose a couple of pets. I made the statement earlier that this mess didn’t happen overnight and it won’t be fixed overnight. This particular home was not a new home, or part of new growth. The home was built in 1983.
September 16, 2008 at 7:33 pm
My condolences to the owners of the house and the pets. I wish them a quick recovery from their losses.
Chris, your thoughts about the Hamilton seem very logical to me.
Right now, raising taxes is not the best option. People are hurting financially and cannot take more expense. This is especially true when you consider the number of banks that are going under. Who knows where all of this is going to end up.
I think more appropriate use of taxes that are already being paid is a better option.
September 16, 2008 at 11:03 pm
First, let me apologize openly to the MJ city manager. I have upset my friend here by placing comments that I will admit could be considered unprofessional. I allowed my opinion and fingers on a keyboard to worsen an obvious communication problem.
I do not agree professionally or personally with many of the decisions I see coming from city hall. However, I should not allow this situation to have caused a bridge to be burned with any admin from any of our governments.
I have been misunderstood apparently by city administrators in regards of representing professional firefighters of this community. We look forward to cooperating with anyone who is willing to subject themselves to what we do for a career in any form of a combined attempt to better protect the people of this county. That being said, as professional firefighters, EMT’s, Paramedics, etc., our primary concern is not the fact that we worry our jobs will be replaced by volunteers, or job security at all… I feel that the people of the community wouldn’t let this happen.
Our primary concern is this: Our next fire or large scale event may cost someone thier life and it will happen soon if we don’t have the staffing we need to prevent it. It may be one of us, a civilian, or even a proud volunteer who signed up to help us. I started my career as a volunteer rescuer. Those are my grass roots. The majority of this nations fire service is provided by volunteer fire departments. However, the majority of city’s as large as MJ, do not rely on volunteers to provide the everyday demands for staffing of fire stations in those cities. As evidenced by todays house fire, even with people in a station it can still take over 16 minutes to get a fire engine to the scene in certain areas. Asking a volunteer firefighter to leave their homes, and burn their own fuel out of pocket to respond to the call with WEMA units is something that a community of this size should not have to rely on.
I highly respect anyone who is willing to do this to help their neighbor. There has been many days, I have left my home on a day off duty to respond to a fellow citizen when no fire engine was available, and more so when an ambulance was far away. I wish I had in my pocket the amount of money I have spent out of pocket to do what I felt was right when my community needed me. This holds true for all of my colleagues. This is the kind of dedication we have for the people in Wilson County.
If a citizen wants to be a volunteer, then I expect to see the same amount of dedication and high level of standards we try to provide with the limited resources we have to work with.
Any individual who will provide this to our team of professionals will be invited with open arms into our organization. As the president of the firefighter’s association, I would offer any of these people the same kind hand I give to existing colleagues.
I am curious though as to why city government overlooked the potential working relationship with citizens who serve this community to gather assistance from fellow citizens who are fellow firefighters in another area. No offense to Mr. Donovan.
Shawn if you see this, I respect the idea that you are doing what you feel is right. I respect more though that you at least had to courtesy to invite our members to sit on the interview panel since the volunteer applicants will potentially be tasked with saving the lives of our professionals. That was the first and only opportunity the professionals in this community had to be a part of the solution to work together with city government. To you and whoever cares within city government, I may not like this solution as much as I would other solutions, however I agree that it is better than nothing. Not to mention the fact that perhaps if MJ gets their end of the contract fullfilled, we as citizens can press the issue to get that equipment back down here that is being hoarded in Lebanon.
Shawn, if you will answer your phone, I have somethings to discuss with you. We have talked before as professionals with the same primary goal, to better protect the people of this community. Simple communication and not believing everything you are hearing will make the cooperatve efforts with the MJVFC and WCPFFA go much better when these two organizations will be working together through WEMA to serve our community.
To MJ management,
We need to talk, look forward to 1530 hrs. on Wednesday… hopefully we can discuss more in addition to our professional conversation we had earlier today in the hallway. I come in peace, and my apology made here for everyone to see is sincere.
ps- This doesn’t change things with the county finance director…, to all who know what happened 2 years in a row now…
September 17, 2008 at 6:05 am
Thank you, Butch. I will try to clarify my plea. Yes, the citizens who will reap the benefit of professional loss prevention and emergency care do need to take an active part and make a vocal plea. Unfortunately, in the fire service, it is not usually a priority unless it’s your home in danger of fire or your chest pain 10 out of 10. Straight talk, we are usually only a priority to one or two people at a time. However, we stand ready and willing to serve all at any time. The citizens of this great city will need to realize that at any time they may be the ones we are called to. My desire is that they have the secure knowledge that professional and passionate assistance will be there. It will not be cheap nor easy to come by, but well worth what it takes. Firefighters and Medics are motivated and driven to serve others. We know what it takes to be proficient and we want the chance to succeed. So my message to the masses is this: educate yourself on what you have, decide on what you need, and support those who will make it their #1 priority. Let me know if I can help.
September 17, 2008 at 8:06 am
Brent,
Like Butch I will apologize up front for the length
As you noted that this current situation didn’t just come about, its been building over the years. The fix won’t happen overnight either, it will take a lot of work, money, and time by all involved.
I like you started as a volunteer firefighter in Michigan, and am one of the “lucky” ones who worked hard to get a position as a Professional Firefighter. Starting as a volunteer, I never forget where I came from like some of us do. I have always looked at this profession from day one, as we are the ones who are there to protect the citizens when something bad happens, (i.e. fires, medical calls, car wrecks), and may lose our life in the process doing the job. As any firefighter will tell you, that’s the risk we take when we say good-bye to our wife and children in the morning going to work, that there’s always a chance we may not come home.
Why did the city administration seek out a non-WEMA Firefighter to work on this program? Actually the city didn’t seek me out, it was reversed. I went to them, as most of the City Commissioners can verify, asking the questions on why this with regards to fire protection wasn’t being done or offering information to them, i.e. residential fire sprinklers. I was the one who went to the City Commisssion with a plan and the information as to how they could get the 10 Volunteer Firefighters that was part of the fire contract with Wilson County. From that plan, myself and Randy Robertson began the “journey” towards what is now called the MJVFC. Some members of WEMA are under the impression that I just created this 10 Volunteers plan out of thin air, when indeed its in the contract. It has also been asked on me “Why is a Professional Firefighter who is a member of the IAFF pushing for volunteers”, and the answer is my family. If I had my choice between an all-volunteer department or a full time fully staffed department following NFPA 1710, I would choose the later every time. One thing about me also is that I’m a realist. As a taxpayer who keeps up with what’s going on, I don’t see millions of dollars just sitting around collecting interest in Mt. Juliet. With that being said, if we can’t get more full time firefighters, having volunteers in place to fill the gap until more can be budgeted is the logical answer for the protection of our firefighters and our family’s. I will not sit by as citizen and a firefighter who has to leave my family every third day, and hold out for full time firefighters. I can replace my house, but I cannot replace my family or my brother firefighters.
With the process for the MJVFC Volunteer Firefighters, I have tried to make the process as close to the real selection process for firefighters as possible. We had introduction meetings, interviews, background checks, and upcoming physical agility tests and final interviews for the selection of the Firefighters. I made a point to involve WEMA Firefighters who work at Station 3 and Brent himself in the interview process. This was done for two reasons, one is that they will be working with these new volunteers and two is because I value their opinions. This new group of volunteers working relationship with the men and women who work for WEMA is imperative to the success of the program. Without mutual respect on both sides, it will be a failure.
Brent, I believe any further discussion regarding the future past this point will need to be brought up on Sept. 30th. We have had a good professional relationship in the past and the issues of late between a few of my brothers and others that has led to Sept 30th meeting will need to be resolved until we can move forward. Yes, we both want the same end result in principle because we are looking out for what’s best for the safety of the WEMA firefighters and the Citizens. I will not use this blog to discuss those issues because its between the brothers involved.
If anyone has any questions about the MJVFC feel free to ask.
September 17, 2008 at 8:23 am
Hi Brent. Good points. My question, what ever happened to the Volunteer Fire Department the city was trying to gather. At one time they were at the center of community discussion. Once a meeting happened the idea seemed to drop to the wayside (similar to other important commission decisions). The YMCA, York Road, and other “pending” issues seemed to take over. I hope the Volunteer Fire Dept is still a workable plan.
September 17, 2008 at 9:22 am
Looking,
Its still in the process of getting formed. One thing though its not a volunteer fire department. Its a manpower suppliment, made up of volunteer men and woman firefighters from MJ, to the WEMA staff at Station 3. Its been in the press as a independent department, but that’s not accurate.
I have been heading the process for the Mt. Juliet Volunteer Fire Company (MJVFC) since getting go-ahead in April. As with anything new that involves two different governments, its a slow process because your creating it from the ground up basically.
Once operational the Mt. Juliet Volunteer Fire Company Firefighters will directly reported to WEMA and be part of their Volunteer Division, working out of Station 3 in Mt. Juliet. The current Volunteer Division has been in existence for a long time and includes residents from throughout the county (including a large number from MJ). This new group is somewhat different since they are being raised to run calls in Mt. Juliet and assist Station 3, while the other Volunteers run county wide.
We currently has 29 applicants, all men and women who live in Mt. Juliet. Of the 29, the hope is to bring between 12-15 of the applicants on as Firefighters to fulfill the 10 Volunteer Firefighter requirement as part of the MJ/Wilson County Fire Contract.
As part of the contract Mt. Juliet is responsible for the recruiting/equiping/training of the firefighters. At this point we are completing the recruitment portion of the process, which included organizational meetings, application period, application review, initial interviews conducted by myself and two firefighters from WEMA. In the next few weeks all the applicants will complete a physical agility test and final interview conducted by WEMA Administration. Once the final interview is completed applicants will be ranked for selection.
Once the selections are made, the training portion of the process will begin with various courses to be completed including a Basic Firefighter course conducted by a State of Tennessee Fire Instructor and WEMA specific courses.
Finally, the last portion of the project will be the equipment which will include all of a firefighter protective equipment, that includes turnout gear, helmet, gloves, radios, and self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or the air tanks we wear to fight fires.
Once all the parts are completed this new group of trained and equiped volunteer firefighters will begin to assist, not replace, the full time firefighters with manpower for structure fires, car wrecks, etc..
September 17, 2008 at 9:48 am
Who what when and where for the September 30 meeting? I knew there was something planned, but the last date that was offered I was on shift and could not make the meeting. Maybe this is something different.
September 17, 2008 at 10:12 am
Chris,
This is not a city or county meeting. It something different. I can’t expand on it.
September 17, 2008 at 10:16 am
Shawn, good to see all your ducks are in a row and that you are still on top of this. All to often in the past I have seen the City brush aside important issues to work on their own private agendas. Kudos to you.
September 17, 2008 at 11:35 am
Thanks Looking.
Can’t take all the credit though. There are 28 residents out there who are concerned enough to volunteer their time to do this from all the districts in town and without them we wouldn’t be where were at today.
September 19, 2008 at 8:34 am
Okay all of you firefighters, riddle me this:
“What would be wrong with the county and all of the incorporated cities getting together and developing one fire department that provides the entire county with fire protection, just like the county now does with Ambulance Service”?
I know that the county was ordered to institute fire tax districts, and I know that fire tax districts are in the best interests of the Citizens of Mt. Juliet. And I also know that, once re-districting occurs and the power base in Wilson County shifts westwardly, fire tax districts will likely become a reality unless the county acts now to appease those who have been spurned over the years. But the nagging question of “why not one fire department” needs to be answered.
Any takers?
September 19, 2008 at 9:35 am
Butch, you have written about the county being ordered by a court to create fire tax districts many times, so can you point me in the direction of where to find order?
September 19, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Chris,
It appears that there are several different versions of this story floating around out there. I will look into it deeper. It appears that I may have been given some incorrect information or I may have misunderstood some of what has been stated. Either way, I think it would be a good idea to dig in and find the actual laws regarding this issue.
September 19, 2008 at 3:44 pm
A county wide fire department, which is what we have in that WEMA responds to all calls for service. The law says that there can be fire tax districts but does not require them. I wanted to make sure that there had not been a court case. If anything, it lends to Lebanon overpaying, but we do provide services through WEMA in Lebanon as well. Thanks. Here is the TCA.
5-17-105. Fire tax districts. —
(a) (1) The boundaries of fire tax districts shall be determined by the county legislative body or other governing body, and shall become fixed by resolution of the county legislative body or other governing body thirty (30) days or more after notice of the determination of the boundaries of a district has been given to the property owners of the district.
(2) Such notice shall be given by mailing a description of the boundaries of the district to all of the property owners of record within the district, at their last known address.
(b) The boundaries of any district may be altered at any time by means of the same procedure by which the district was created.
(c) In the case of county-wide fire districts as authorized by § 5-17-101, the fire tax district shall comprise the entire county outside of any and all incorporated municipalities within the county, but each and every such incorporated municipality within the county may elect to contract with the county for inclusion in such fire tax district as authorized by § 5-17-108.
(d) In those counties having eight (8) or more incorporated municipalities that levy a property tax and four (4) or more special school districts, the fire tax district shall comprise the entire county, including each and every incorporated municipality.
September 19, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Chris,
I am not saying that there aren’t some court orders and or lawsuits involved here, I am saying that I have conflicting information that I haven’t resolved yet. I appreciate you providing the TCA on this. I have already been going over it and it appears that my perception may have been incorrect. However, there are snags and barbs that seem to be involved in this still.
Considering how convoluted TCA is regarding this issue I can understand why things are so heated around here.
That having been said, it appears to me that the city really should have its own fire department, but along with it we should set up ambulance services to offset some of the cost. I am still researching.
September 19, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Shawn,
please call.
thanks
I lost my contact list in phone replacement.
440-6657
September 24, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Good stories all around regarding fire protection this week. Maybe it will finally get the complete stage now and throughout the election.
Funny how the Mt. Juliet News never covers anything about the fire protection until it becomes big story in Lebanon…
By the way, good interviews Brent and Jamie. Standing up and making the other brothers in town proud. FTM-PTB-DTRT
September 24, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Firefighters,
You have done a good job getting the fire protection issues on the front page.
I still say that the right course of things is to put together a caucus in Wilson County where all concerned can show up, air their grievances, share their opinions, and gain understanding. We don’t want this issue to become a political game forever. What we need is the right solution, not an expedient one. We need a solution that depoliticizes the fire protection services throughout the county.
You have to admit, we do have a bit of a weird set of conditions here in Wilson County. From what I can tell, Mike Jennings, the county Attorney, also is the Mayor of Watertown. Jason Holleman, the city attorney of Mt. Juliet, is also a Nashville Metro Councilman. We had a mayor who was working for a developer (who knows who she works for now). A commissioner who doubles as a sheriff’s deputy for the county. There simply seems to be too many people with allegiances to too many people.
I am very interested in developing proper fire protection services in Mt. Juliet, but I am even more interested in developing fire protection services that are not being used as political pawns anymore. We deserve better in Wilson County.
September 25, 2008 at 8:53 am
I agree Butch. I think though it needs to start in Mt. Juliet, to address the specific needs for West Wilson and then look at the whole county.
If you involve residents who live in West Wilson it will reduce some of political aspects of the dialogue. There are a lot of firefighters who live in West Wilson, who work for many departments outside of just WEMA, like myself, who can bring a lot of different perspectives.
I believe the best time to get true communication is to do it after the November elections. It would give us time to plan a “forum” like you mention that can involve the education of the fire protection issue to the general public. It is similar to the education issue, if you want a good picture ask the one’s who work in the business.
September 26, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Every article I read concerning the creation of a fire department for the citizens of Mt. Juliet has at least one person quoted as being opposed to the idea because of the possibility of having to raise or create a tax to pay for it. A tax does not currently pay for law enforcement nor does it pay for public works. If you place the need for professional loss prevention and life safety at the top or somewhere near the top of the budget, you will not need a tax to pay for it. Now, you may need a tax to pay for a YMCA, a wider Curd Rd., or tennis courts; but not for the essential services our city leaders should see fit to provide. The citizens of the City of Mt. Juliet are NOT the ATM of the city leaders. There is money available for this. City leaders are charged with being good stewards of our money. There are 14 banks and financial institutions on Mt. Juliet Rd. from the interstate to Lebanon Rd. Forty years ago, there were 2. There is money in Mt. Juliet and there is money for our protection. Commissioners need to get together on this for the benefit of the entire city and stop simply working for the benfit of their districts. The city as a whole and every citizen therein deserves to be protected and safe. Their lives and their property should find itself somewhere near the top of your budget.
September 26, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Quickly, another point to the candidates…Why would there have to be fire districts and different levels of pay for service? There are no law enforcement district pay grades or differential services. Same for public works. Please do not simply tack the safety and health of the citizens of this city on the bottom of your budget. Their lives and their property are much more importanr than a line item on a shopping list.
September 26, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I am against Mt. Juliet paying twice for fire protection. We already pay to have adequate service – the county takes our tax money and spends it elsewhere.
We are only 20 square miles out of 620. I bet a lot more than 3% of total county property tax collected comes from Mt. Juliet. No telling how much sales tax.
Should Mt. Juliet spend twice for every service the county doesn’t adequately provide or just this one?
September 26, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Jamie,
Your “put fire protection at the top of the list” position would be a strong argument except that you are leaving out the fact that we are already funding the Mt. Juliet Fire Protection service and we aren’t getting what we are paying for.
That conundrum is the issue. Many people are saying “we are already paying for fire protection”. Others are saying “Mt. Juliet needs to fund their own fire protections services (typically these are the people who don’t actually live in Mt. Juliet), and yet others don’t know which end is up in the fire protection debate (I fall in this category more than I would like to admit, but I am trying to learn).
It is patently unfair for Mt. Juliet to provide its own fire department unless we get the taxation issue settled.
I would like to see this whole issue solved and soon. I would be glad to stand side-by-side with anyone who wants to solve this whole issue equitably, but I will fight against anyone who wants to solve this without dealing with the entire issue, which will only lead to more political strife.
I do agree with you that before we give a $2,000,000 land grant to the YMCA we should really consider spending our money on a fire station or a ladder truck. I will give you that one.
September 26, 2008 at 6:47 pm
You do already pay a tax for police and public works; which is sales tax. You also paid with an impact fee that was basically added to the cost of your residence. You also pay every time you get a ticket. There are several other smallers taxes also.
September 26, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Good points Nathan.
Part of public works is also paid for through sewer fees as well.
Public works also brings in money through permits and other charges as well.
September 26, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Lex,
No. Mt. Juliet should not pay twice for the service. I do not know how our county tax dollars are distributed. I do know our current fire protection and ems efforts are stretched too thin. Either buy our own or increase taxes earmarked specifically for fire and medical. I can not answer that from here. As a citizen of this county and growing city, I do want to know why those of us doing the job here have such terrible stories to tell. This is senseless, such prosperity and at such risk.
September 26, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Butch,
You are right. We are and we ain’t and we need to find out why. The taxation allocation needs to be scrutinized. It is going to take a honest effort by both the Mayor of Mt. Juliet and the County Executive to properly provide adequate services for the money. Perhaps, even begin a whole new agreement. I am not sure the 2 parties in place at this time could do this. But I do know that the people of this city deserve a more thorough blanket of protection. Thank you for your dialogue.
September 26, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Nathan,
Good point and I know there are a heck of a lot of sales being made at 401 S. Mt. Juliet Rd. Other locations as well and more to come from the growth in retail outlets. I just can’t help but think you could buy a fire department as fine as the police department and public works with all that money. However; I am addressing the city tax issue that some think has to be the sole funding of a fire department for Mt. Juliet. The money is here, we do not need a city tax.
September 26, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Jamie,
Perhaps the city of Mt. Juliet could start an ambulance service that provides services for all of West Wilson County. Ambulance Service supposedly makes a profit. We could then use that profit to help fund a fire department in Mt. Juliet! I think I am on to something here. I bet if the rest of the county knew that we were about to take away some of the ambulance service profits they would be willing to be more amenable to a better protection plan in Mt. Juliet without us having to have our own fire department.
Jamie, this mayor can’t bring things together for us, she doesn’t have the skill or the temperament for that job. She doesn’t appear to have the respect of the county either.
Jamie, the only thing that is going to really work is for citizens to raise living hell for the politicians until they are willing to sit down and fix this. You do that by not letting them alone. Call their cell phones, bombard their e-mails. Send letters to them. Confront them when you see them (peacefully, but assertively) and let them know how you feel and that you want a caucus. Everyone needs to push the issue until it is brought to a head. Never, ever, let up.
But Jamie, please understand, I am not for the fire fighters solving this on their own. You folks have a tight alliance with one another, which I think is a good thing, but this whole issue is not “just” about fire protection. A solution that comes from “just” a fire protection angle will not be a solution at all. There are lots of issues, not just fire protection, that need to be addressed at the same time if we are going to be able to have lasting success with any solution we come up with.
September 26, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Mr. Huber,
Acknowledged and agreed. I would like to buy you a cup of coffee, listen, and learn from you. If you have the time sometime, call me. My number is in the book. Thank you.
September 26, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Anybody know the WEMA budget anyways?
I wish they would post it where we could find it easier.
September 26, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Nathan,
I let’s you and I start a Wilson County Citizen’s Coalition for open and honest government. You and I can rouse some people to dig into what the governments of Wilson County are doing, post their numbers and information on this site, and drag the truth out into the light of day.
I would like to see the entire budget figures of each government in Wilson County. I think that would be important information to have for the caucus. Unless you have a keen sense of where you are you will never figure out how to get where you want to go. There is no way to arrive at a win-win-win if you don’t have a handle on the needs and concerns of all parties involved.
It is time for citizens to get deeply involved in the politics of this county. I have no ax to grind with Lebanon, Watertown, the County or any other city or town in this county. I have an ax to grind with this current city commission in Mt. Juliet, not because I am against Mt. Juliet itself, but because these folks have done a horrible job leading this government and they have either committed corrupt acts or they have turned their heads and looked the other way when one of their own have committed corruption. No one else is going to do a damn thing about what these folks do to break the law and abuse their offices, so we must.
Jamie,
I would be honored to sit down with you anytime. I will call you.
September 26, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Hello friends…
Starting next week, please watch the local papers, etc. for advertisement of a fire issue caucus and chili cook off to be held at Charlie Daniels Park, on October 4th, Saturday, Pavillion # 3, 6-9pm, everone is invited.
This is sponsored and will be mediated by your dedicated firefighters. We will attempt to contact all candidates for local offices and the public is welcome and wanted.
There is no charge, we will only be taking donations for our “I.O” (Intraosseous) access project in which the firefighters association, and other local sponsors have helped raise money for to purchase $8,000 dollars worth of valuable life saving devices on Wilson County ambulances.
We are hoping that this will be a good opportunity to educate the public on critical points over this issue and encourage candidates and incumbents who will hopefully be present to focus on communication with the county government, as this will most likely be the better solution for this over-due life safety matter. Who knows, we may be the only ones there, oh well, at least there will be plenty of chili and other goodies.
Everything will be on hand that evening, except contesting pots of chili, so if you are interested, please join us. Chili or not, everyone is welcome, there will be plenty for everyone. No alcoholic beverages of course, and in case some of our firefighters who claim to have the best firehouse chili makes thiers too hot, we will have EMS folks on hand. Any questions, etc. please contact Brent Dyer 440-6657 or mbdyer@tds.net
September 27, 2008 at 6:05 pm
thanks to everyone for your contribution in this thread. learning about issue complexities helps me understand how i might choose to get involved where possible. i’ll try to make it to CDP on the 4th.
thanks to each of you first responders for all your hard work!
~robyn
September 27, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Brent Dyer do you remember any of MTAS fire coverage recommendations? Did they make sense or were they way out there? When they came up last year; they seemed like a good deal for everybody but the city kinda blew them off.
September 27, 2008 at 10:52 pm
A lot of action the last couple of days on the fire link.
Butch, as an FYI, EMS agencies don’t normally make money or enough to be worth the cost associated with it. When you look at the overall picture its not worth the effort.
Nathan, my two cents and we’ll see if Brent agrees since we’re both firefighters, is that the MTAS study was basically a good report in theory. A lot of the recommendations required a significant amount of money to implement and a more/less change in operational attitudes for WEMA as a whole. The document made a lot of recommendatins with regards to staffing that would require a lot more activity by volunteer firefighters which currently is not the case with the current Volunteer Division under WEMA. It also noted the need for many new fire stations and equipment purchases.
All in all like I said is was a good theory, but not very practical without some good long range planning. It would require great strids to accomplish since it would require a lot of money and hand in hand cooperation with the local governments and the county.
September 28, 2008 at 7:19 am
Shawn,
I heard from a very reliable source that the Ambulance service goes out on about 14,000 calls per year with an average charge of about $400. I heard that not all of those calls will pay, but that at least 60% do. That would mean that there are approximately 8,400 paying calls each year. That means that the Ambulance service brings the county about $3,360,000 each year on average. I am told that they county returns about $200,000 to the Ambulance Service to purchase new equipment and the rest stays in the general fund. Now, I am sure that there are other things to pay for that fall outside the realm of “equipment replacement”. But $3,160,000 will go a very long way toward those “other” costs. I speculate that there is a remaining balance after all expenses for running the ambulance services are paid for.
The goal here is to get the county and the incorporated cities to quit bickering over these issues and solve them. One way to do that is to set things up in such a way that any alternative to a responsible, equitable, and fair plan is unpalatable to the parties involved. In other words, we as citizens need to force them to fix this. One way to do that is to make it unpleasant for them not to fix it. One way to make it unpleasant for them is to hit them where it counts….profit centers. It appears that the ambulance service is a profit center for the county.
September 28, 2008 at 10:05 am
Butch,
You make good points, but you need to remeber those funds you are noting are for the whole county, not just Mt. Juliet/West Wilson? With that being said do you think that if the county is making those kinds of funds that they are going to just up a give a 911 contract to some new ambulance service when they are counting on those funds for the general fund. That would be a bigger fight the straight fire protection.
Creating a plan is a good thing I agree, but trying to get everyone to agree on the plan is another. When you have 4 different government (County, MJ, Lebanon, and Watertown) trying to agree on a plan is a mighty task Butch. This goes down the path of you get more with sugar then vinegar.
I’m in support of any plan that increases the safety of the citizens and my brother firefighters at WEMA. Like most of the brothers can tell you we all know what needs to be done, its getting the general public to realize there is a problem first and bring more voices than just the firefighters to the elected officials.
September 28, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Shawn,
I agree that getting all of the parties to agree is big league negotiations, but that is the game at hand. Our job is to rise to the challenge. I agree that you get more with sugar than you do with vinegar, but you have to have vinegar. You need a huge carrot and a gigantic stick if you are going to win the day on these issues.
Shawn, you seem to only be focusing in on fire protection. I am not. There are many other issues that need to be dealt with at a Wilson County Congressional Caucus level other than just fire protection. We need to cooperate, not compete, with Wilson County. Our job is to make it more appealing for them to cooperate than to compete. In fact, we need to convince the county and the other cities that to compete against Mt. Juliet is a losing battle for them, but to cooperate with us is a winning plan.
Shawn, remember, if the county uses one red penny of property taxes to provide fire protection they “Have” to establish fire tax districts. That fact is their limitation, but it isn’t “our” limitation. If we can’t get the county to cooperate with us on their own, we can put them in a position where it works to our favor anyway.
The last thing in the world this county or Lebanon want is for Mt. Juliet to have a property tax. At least if the commission uses its head anyway.
Again, the goal is cooperation, not competition, among the governments of Wilson County.
September 28, 2008 at 5:44 pm
I will have detailed information on hand on next Saturday night, Oct. 4th regarding many of the questions here. If there is anything specific that hasn’t been mentioned, please contact me and I will do my best to have an answer at the fire caucus and forum being hosted by the Wilson County Firefighters Association. We look forward to meeting some of the folks from this website.
In regards to Mr. Claridays question,
I do remember the MTAS study, and I have reviewed it from the video links since. I have tried to look at their recommendations as a homeowner and citizen rather than understanding it in a firefigter/paramedic’s perspective. The main thing I find from the whole MTAS study is two things… and I apologize to anyone who may feel that this sounds negative, but it is how I feel none the less.
1) How much tax money did city government spend on the MTAS study that could have been used to start fixing the obvious problems that anyone could see with or without the assisance of the fire study. For example, when the study was done and paid for by MJ, it would have been less expensive and beneficial in the aspect of familiarization to the communites needs based on experience to walk up Hill Street and ask a man who had been fighting fires and living in MJ for 30 years what he thought…
2) Even with the results of the study, why has it taken this long to see even the most simple parts of the reccomendations to be acted upon?
Oh well, at least things are maybe looking a little proactve for once. I just hope that the city can work together with the county to mend the retroactive approaches that have been taken for so long. I am excited about the idea of change soon in some leadership positions. I believe this will create a fresh opportunity for leaders county wide to cooperate so everyone in Wilson County may benefit.
September 28, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Again, where does it say that the county has to establish fire tax districts?
September 28, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Tennessee Code Annotated – 5-17-101. Formation. —
(a) The county legislative body or other governing body of any county is authorized to form a new agency to be known as the county-wide fire department for the purpose of providing fire protection services to all of the county
(b) The powers and duties of the county-wide fire department may be delegated by the county legislative body or other governing body to an existing agency
(c) (1) The governing body of any county that now has or may hereafter have a metropolitan form of government as defined by § 7-1-101, is authorized to form a new agency to be known as the county-wide fire department, or to extend fire protection services of an existing agency or department to all or any part thereof of the general services district outside the urban services district in the manner and to the extent prescribed in this section.
(2)In counties governed by metropolitan government, the powers and duties of the agency or department affording fire protection outside the urban services district shall be vested in that agency in which the charter of the metropolitan government vests the responsibility for protection against fire of life and property within the urban services district.
(d) A fire department established pursuant to this chapter may be funded through one (1) of the following methods:
(1) As authorized by §§ 5-17-105 — 5-17-107, the county legislative body may establish one (1) or more fire tax districts and levy an annual fire tax upon the property in each district for the purpose of funding the activities of the fire department within that district;
(2) As an alternative to fire tax districts, the county legislative body is hereby authorized to allocate revenue from the general fund of the county to fund fire protection services to be provided to the unincorporated portions of the county. Any such revenues allocated for fire protection services shall be generated by situs-based taxes collected in unincorporated areas of the county or shall originate from other revenue sources that have already been shared with municipalities;
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the ability of local governments to provide for fire protection services through an interlocal agreement as authorized by title 12, chapter 9, or any other provision of the Tennessee Code;
(4) Nothing in this subsection (d) shall prohibit nor be construed to prohibit a local government from accepting donations or charitable contributions to fund the activities of the fire department, regardless of the method of funding selected by a local government under the provisions of this section.
(e) Any county choosing to create a county-wide fire district as authorized by this section, may, with the approval of the local legislative body, mandate that all interlocal agreements and contracts with providers for services permitted under this section contain performance based criteria designed to ensure timely response and effective services, the exact methodology of which is to be determined by local ordinance
September 28, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Chris,
Kevin Lauer, Fire Management Consultant of CTAS, wrote an excellent handbook found here:
http://www.tennessee.gov/commerce/sfm/documents/CTASrePort.pdf
September 28, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Chris,
See section (2) above, see where it says that the county can fund the fire department through shared revenues or situs-based taxes? See where it talks about unincorporated areas of the county? What that is saying, I believe, is that “if” the county were to use property taxes to fund the county-wide fire department they cannot tax the city for fire protection. Essentially, that reduces you to fire tax districts. The county cannot use county property taxes, or non-shared revenues, to fund a fire department unless they establish fire tax districts. That’s how I read this messy law anyway.
September 28, 2008 at 10:20 pm
State law requires countywide fire departments to be funded with sources other than property tax so the urban areas won’t be used to subside the rural areas – as is happening in Wilson County.
September 28, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Could they use sales tax revenue to fund a County department? I used to live in an area that only had volunteer fire departments, so most of the money was received through fund raising. Every house was visited every year to ask for donations and I don’t remember them ever having a budget issue with being able to afford what they needed.
September 28, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Yes, the county could use sales tax to fund their countywide fire service.
But they have committed a percentage of that tax to the school system. The annual budget of WEMA currently exceeds the amount of uncommitted sales tax collected.
It is pretty easy to prove that the county has to be spending at least some property tax money on WEMA.
September 29, 2008 at 7:24 am
If Bobby is right, and he usually is, then the county is not in keeping with the requirements of the law right now.
The law regarding all of this is very difficult for me to wrap my arms around and fully understand, but, it appears to me, that if they spend “any” money from any source of un-shared revenues (not just property taxes), they “have” to either establish fire tax districts “or” develop the fire protection service funding program on a situs basis (which to me is nothing more than another way to say “fire tax district”).
If Bobby is are right about the county spending more on education and fire protection than they bring in from sales tax, the county is in an incredible position of weakness before we even begin the process of straightening this whole mess out. It appears that we will have won any eventual battle before it began. That is a wonderful position for Mt. Juliet to be in. However, I would caution everyone, that if we do have that position going in, it would be wise not to use it unless we have to. The end goal should be to work out “ALL” of the issues and foster and build an atmosphere and environment of friendly cooperation, not a bitter atmosphere and environment of enmity and competition. The goal of the county and the goal of the city should really be the same…to develop Wilson County and its incorporated cities into a business friendly, citizen friendly, responsible growth area of Middle Tennessee. Wilson County needs to become a community unto itself, with Jobs, education, industry, entertainment, shopping, business, and all of the other facets of a society all contained right here in this county. The only way we become as alive and vibrant as a community as we are capable of becoming is to cooperate.
I love the growth, but I could be okay without it, however, government has no business standing in the way of growth. It is time to settle the differences and get on with getting on.
It is time for Wilson County to grow up and think like a community of its own, not a suburb of Nashville. Maryland Farms and Cool Springs is what we need to shoot for in Mt. Juliet, large corporations and industrial is what the county needs to focus its attention on. Those are cooperative efforts. I don’t really want industrial in Mt. Juliet, we are too small and are too well suited for upscale business complexes to waste valuable land on industrial complexes. However, Wilson County is extremely well suited for industrial complexes. Wilson County is also well position for such businesses with 840 “and” 40 running through it. If we think macro first, micro second, we can find common ground in Wilson County.
September 29, 2008 at 9:30 am
You guys are really trying to talk yourselves into a city property tax to fund a fire department.
Two points:
1. Please look up the definition of situs for yourself and then read the law again.
2. We have an interlocal agreement. There has been a contract between WEMA and the city of MJ for as long as I can remember.
There has been a lot of “body bag” blogging on this site, and comments such as “raise living hell for the politicians until they are willing to sit down and fix this” doesn’t do much to motivate.
A short term solution that I believe everyone can live with is in the works and if the respective commissions agree to it, it will be implemented ASAP. Once the short term fix is in place, we can begin working on the long term solution.
There is no need for a caucus to be put together, but feel free to do so. I doubt Sen. Beavers or Rep. Lynn will commit to a caucus as was suggested earlier, since this is a county issue and has absolutely nothing to do with the state.
September 29, 2008 at 1:30 pm
What is the short term fix you are talking about Chris?
Butch, turning Mt. Juliet into the next Cool Springs or Brentwood is a mighty task that will take a lot of planning outside of opening some bix box retailors.
My district at Franklin Fire Covers the east side of Cool Springs, and I used to cover Maryland Farms when I worked at Brentwood Fire. We need a lot of work infrastructure wise to get to that level. I know that first hand, not just going there to go shopping. You think Mt. Juliet Roads traffic is bad by adding Providence.
I like all the positive discussion regarding the fire protection issue. Hopefully it will turn into action sometime soon.
September 29, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Short term solution, not fix.Iit will help resolve some of the issues while we work on the long term solution. And the best part, it doesn’t involve a property tax increase. I still have a few ducks to get lined up before we take the idea public and pitch it. It doesn’t involve your volunteers in any way and I still believe they will be a valuable asset to WEMA, and MJ.
September 29, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Does it involve elimination of the volunteers?
September 29, 2008 at 2:54 pm
It doesn’t involve your volunteers in any way. That is a city of MJ issue, and I have no say in what MJ does. Again, I believe the volunteers will be a valuable asset.
September 29, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Chris,
I believe you will find that Situs in this context means that you pay for what you get and nothing more. What that is saying, Chris, is that the county cannot tax us for fire protection it is providing for those who live in the county. I realize that you are having a hard time figuring this new law out, I agree that it is extremely poorly written, but the basis of the law is that the county is not allowed to abuse the city with unfair taxation.
Context is important Chris. You like to take things out of context. First off, I have said more than once that the county has been more than nice to me every time I have contacted them. They have acted professional and courteous toward me in every way. I have no beef with the county on a personal level. However, there does seem to be this pervasive and endemic east vs. west mentality going on in this county “and” city. There also seems to be a situation where the county “seems” to be working against the best interests of this city. The context of what I have written, when you take everything in its entirety, is that the city needs to take a conciliatory attitude and try to sit down with all the parties involved and rectify this situation…the entire situation, not just fire protection. However, if the city does take on a conciliatory posture, and attempts to reconcile the situation with the county, and if the county presents itself as unyielding or aggressive toward the city, then the city does need to stand up for itself and go after the county until the county relents.
Funny that you are on the county commission and somehow, without the knowledge of the citizens of the city of Mt. Juliet, or even the firefighters, you have some stop gap measure being cooked up. Chris, there is more wrong here than just fire protection. In order to have a working, long-term solution we need to deal with all of the problems that have caused the divide.
You are not being honest by acting like my posture is nothing but “raise living hell for the politicians until they are willing to sit down and fix this”. Of course, you are only doing what politicians do…using half of the truth. Notice that “I” am the one suggesting a caucus. That isn’t something a person who “wants” to raise hell does.
You don’t know what Sen. Beavers and Rep. Lynn will or won’t do any more than I know. However, this does have something to do with them. They are representatives of this district at the state level, and the laws governing all of this are from the state level. They should want to be involved in a matter as important as this and be willing to sponsor state legislation that will solve it if we can’t come to a reasonable conclusion. The same people who vote for them are depending on an equitable and fair solution. I don’t think this whole thing is one sided. I think there is enough blame to go around. However, blame isn’t important, results are important.
Chris, you are only seeing the small beginnings of what citizens can accomplish if they work together, after all, it is our government, this is our community, the offices you politicians hold belong to us, and the homes and businesses here belong to us (well, not really, we rent them, but our names are on the mortgages and deeds.)
Shawn, Brentwood and Franklin didn’t start out the way that they are now. I have watched that city grow up for 13 years. I too know those areas first hand, not just going there shopping. In fact, I probably know Brentwood and Franklin better than you do. If we work at it now, 13 years from now we can have what they have and more. But then again, we can follow this new land use plan and we can just become Hickory Hollow II.
September 29, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Chris,
Please explain “body bag blogging”. Thank you in advance.
September 29, 2008 at 10:21 pm
As a local public safety professional, I do want to say that my colleagues and I agree with the fact that there are more issues than fire protection. Trust me, I am as sick of hearing about it and dealing with it as everyone else. However, it is the most critical of any government controlled resource issue out there. Therefore we must continue to stay focused to ensure our community is protected and can meet the needs of a growing area. Again, thanks to everyone who continues to stand up for what is right. The support that is seen from citizens gives us hope that maybe someday we can serve our community more efficiently and more effectively. Although we may be limited in some areas, our pride and intergrity is where it needs to be here lately, just knowing we have our community’s support. It means a lot. Thank You.
Brent Dyer, President
Wilson Co. Firefighters Association
IAFF Local 4238
September 30, 2008 at 12:12 am
Brent,
I believe you have to attack this from a macro level, handling all of the issues at one time, or you end up right back where you started. I don’t disagree that fire protection is a major issue, perhaps “the” major issue, but my senses are telling me that unless we drag all of the issues that divide us in Wilson County out into the open, find solutions and compromise, develop levels of understanding and cooperation, and institute mutually beneficial plans and concepts, we gain no ground.
Consider the pay of Employees of Mt. Juliet city government. We spent months trying to get the payroll right. We got some raises and benefits for the employees and now, most, in not all, of the advances we made have been wiped away. The reason is simple, we didn’t change the hearts and minds of the leadership. They just don’t get it, the employees here are grossly underpaid. Brent, that is a major issue as well. They are now about 14% to as much as 17% behind were they should be. That is a huge pay disparity and it is getting worse, not better. In terms of revenue, this is a huge issue because one day they will have to come to terms with this disparity, only they won’t have the money in the budget. Now, this is a Mt. Juliet issue, but it is still and issue that has to be dealt with head-on.
I appreciate all of the fire fighters and emergency service personnel, I am glad you are there and I hope that in an emergency I can depend on all of you to do a great job and help me or my family. I have been around the block enough times to know that unless you deal with the whole matter you gain nothing. We need to close the divide, and we need to close it now.
September 30, 2008 at 12:33 am
Jamie,
Body Bag Journalism is an approach that media has used to raise awareness on issues, such as when the newscasts would end with a body count during the Vietnam War. It really drives the issue home when you have numbers.
Butch, I should take time to respond to your comments, but I won’t. Honestly, I think you just want to bitch.
September 30, 2008 at 4:58 am
Chris,
Thank you for the response. My question may have been vague, however and I do apologize. Specifically, the reference of “body bag” blogging on this site should have been included in my question. May I trouble you once more for explaination? Again, thank you.
September 30, 2008 at 5:06 am
Mr. Huber,
The pay problem exists at the county level as well. The guy making your lunch in the fast food restaurant is making on the average of .17 cents more an hour than the guy making your heart beat in the back of the ambulance. The manager makes more. Speaking of which, if anyone wants to do lunch today, please call.
September 30, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Butch,
I agree that the matter of pay of employees is a serious issue, especially if we want to attract quality individuals to serve our public. I feel this one brother… an interdepartmental study was done a couple of months ago and it was determined that Wilson County’s Paramedics are more than 30% behind compared to surrounding counties when it comes to compensation of services. Not to mention that paramedics in this county also serve as firefighters with a whole mess of other credentials that isn’t required in most other communities. Most of WEMA’s staff are firefighters and state of TN liscensed EMT-IV’s. Approximately 3/8 or less than a quarter of the staff who respond to the calls are paramedics. We continue to see other areas attracting our good employees because of pay and safety issues such as adequate staffing and equipment.
You are right though, from what I have seen some really nice and professional people work for MJ, and I hope to see them better taken care of by a potential new city leadership. As far as the county goes, 2010 cannot get here soon enough.
September 30, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Brent,
It isn’t okay for any government employee to be underpaid. I served 9 years in the Military and was under paid compared to the civilian sector all 9 years. I got a lot of other benefits, but what I did was a service to the country. I don’t regret the difference in pay, because I knew the score going in. However, here in the real world, you have to compare same service with comparable market. Government employees do have to be compared directly with other government employees and indirectly with private sector.
Again, more reason to get all of the issues settled, not just focus on one item.
Chris,
You are wrong, I don’t like to bitch, I just have so many things to bitch about I can’t help myself. The problems we have are the result of politicians thinking they know more and are smarter than they really are…sound like anyone you know?
September 30, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Jamie, Brent, and Chris
We need to get together for a “brother” lunch. I would like to sit down with you guys and talk a little about your thoughts since basically we all work for different agencies and all have had a part with WEMA at one time or another or currently.
If we could get a group lunch of brothers who simply live in Mt. Juliet, not necessarily needing to all work for WEMA since I would be out myself, and put our heads together and brainstorm what we all think we need in Mt. Juliet, with obviously WEMA personnel leading the discussion since they work here, I think it would be a great thing.
I know personnally we have brothers from Nashville, Smyrna, Brentwood, Franklin, and WEMA represented in town. I’m sure there is more that I don’t know about.
September 30, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Shawn,
Great idea. I work A shift and we are on the same schedule as WEMA, if that helps get a day pinned down. If you guys are up for it, we can talk about the idea that a few folks have put together and see what others in the profession think. It is a new idea, even though it is relatively simple, input is welcome.
579-6068
September 30, 2008 at 7:32 pm
My schedule is flexible for the month of Oct. Make the date and I will arrange to attend. Best to all.
October 1, 2008 at 6:23 am
Good. Chris if you work WEMA’s A-shift then we are one the same one.
Let me talk to a couple of the other brothers and we’ll try to get something together. Thanks guys
October 3, 2008 at 12:15 pm
The meeting sounds like a great idea, however I would like to see it open to not just firefighters, but others in our community who are focused on solutions like ourselves. You know, something like the chili supper on Sat. night… speaking of which, to all who see this, please know everyone is welcome. I have contacted as many officials as I can and other ads have been made. Look forward to seeing everyone there. Tomorrow night, 6-9pm, Charlie Daniels Park, pavillion 3…
October 3, 2008 at 2:45 pm
This wouldn’t be the first and last meeting by any means. I would like to have a meeting with only firefighters who live in MJ at first, so we could all throw ideas around that are firefighter specific since its our profession. As any firefighter will tell you, we all do things different and have different ideas based on past experience.
October 3, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Make it happen. I’m off on Monday so set it up.
October 5, 2008 at 11:04 am
It was great seeing and meeting everyone in person last night at the civic gathering. Hope everyone who tried “Sweet Natty’s Engine 6 Firehouse Chilli No. 2″ really enjoyed it. I am Josh’s Dad and I approve this recipe. The dialogue was the best. My plea to the cadidates is simple: Do something effective now. There are many options available to improve the coverage of fire protection and emergency medical services to the citizens of this city. We look to you to do what is best to provide this safety. Everyday dirt is moved and Mt. Juliet grows, we fall farther behind if we do not act. Make it your goal, please, to work this opportunity, and the many others we have, to completion quickly and effectively. Call on us if you need. We are public servants as well. Again, thank you and may God bless you and your families.
October 5, 2008 at 11:09 am
To the fire fighters and EMS personnel who put on the meeting last night, thank you for putting that together. I gained an insight by listening to you last night that I otherwise wouldn’t have gained. I only wish that I could have heard from you more. I enjoyed listening to that candidates talk about what they thought on the subject, but I already could have told you what they would say. I need to hear more from you. However, I believe I have heard enough to figure out an “acceptable solution” to the problem.
By acceptable, I mean politically acceptable while still being acceptable from a protection standpoint.
Let me see if I can shed some light on this based on what I learned last night.
First off, there is opposition coming from some of you in WEMA regarding the development of fire tax districts. Your opposition comes from two issues that I could pick up on. One issue is that you don’t want to disturb the Lebanon Fire Department, you say “those guys have their thing, we work well with them, and we don’t want to mess them up”. The second issue that I heard was that you don’t like fire tax districts because “you can’t expect a fire fighter to just sit there while his brothers in another district fight a fire”. The second position is, in my opinion, just support for the first position because you know that you could offer mutual aid even with fire tax districts.
The county doesn’t want fire tax districts because if they put fire tax districts in place (without a workable plan) they are going to have a real problem on their hands. The problem is that the county is obviously subsidizing fire protection in unincorporated Wilson County using tax dollars that come from Mt. Juliet and, with the advent of fire tax districts that practice would end. The other reason that the county would be reticent to develop fire tax districts is due to the conventional belief that they would have to turn over the fire department in Mt. Juliet and go build another fire department building somewhere inside unincorporated Wilson County. That presents a compounding problem for the county because they would have to invest in a new building, which is expensive, and that building would be locate in the growth path of Mt. Juliet, which would mean that in a short timeframe the County would own a fire department building inside the city limits of Mt. Juliet. If the county went with fire tax districts they would have to abandon the efforts afoot to get the city of Mt. Juliet to buy WEMA a ladder truck/aerial truck. I agree that we need a ladder truck/aerial truck (not sure what the difference is, but I trust your opinion that we need one or the other or both), but if we were purchase a ladder truck under fire tax districts the city would actually own and operate the truck, not WEMA. That doesn’t mean we couldn’t use it in mutual aid, but our investment would go to our citizens first and then to mutual aid secondly.
I can understand all of those positions, but I can also see a solution.
Who says that by putting fire tax districts in place you have to mess up Lebanon?
Who says that by putting fire tax districts in place WEMA will have to give up its Mt. Juliet station?
Who says that you can’t offer mutual aid with fire tax districts?
The county may have to accept that it has a duty and responsibility to develop equitable taxation for fire protection, but who says that they won’t if they are presented with an equitable plan? Besides, if the county doesn’t respond to this issue with an agreeable posture, the city and the citizens of Mt. Juliet should lobby their state representative and their state senator and ask them to sponsor a resolution to repeal the provision in the TCA that allows for fire departments located in counties with populations falling between 80,000 and 83,000 in the 1992 census to fund fire departments with shared tax revenues. You see, it is that provision, which was developed specifically for Wilson County, that is causing the problem. The county is saying that they are funding WEMA from shared tax revenues. That, if true, would make it legal for Wilson County to discontinue service to Mt. Juliet as long as they always fund WEMA with shared revenue. That makes Fire Protection a “political” issue. Repeal that provision and the county would have to fund fire protection from property taxes. When the county goes to funding fire protection from property taxes it has little choice but to develop fire tax districts. Besides, Mt. Juliet could easily create a situation where the county has to use unshared revenue to fund WEMA, then you go to fire tax districts. (I believe they already do fund WEMA with unshared revenue, but I haven’t obtained the proof yet.)
I think the county, if it knew that you guys were very, very serious about this issue, and if they knew that you had enough citizens behind you, and if they knew that we had state legislators lined up and ready to repeal the provision that allows them to fund fire protection with shared tax revenues, would stand up and take notice.
This is a “county problem”, not a “Mt. Juliet” problem. But you don’t easily make old issues disappear just because you want them to, you have to offer a better solution.
So here goes:
1.) Mt. Juliet needs to face the fact that it needs to develop its own fire protection service, not because it is the best way to cover fire protection, but because the men and women that fight fires in this county do not want to support, and won’t support, anything that messes up the Lebanon Fire Department. I get that now, I understand. I didn’t understand until last night, but now I do. Lebanon started its Fire Department supposedly around 100 years ago. Fire Departments are staffed by people who are attracted to tradition, heritage, and culture. You are steeped in tradition, you identify with your brothers and sisters. So, to you, doing anything that would upset your brothers and sisters in Lebanon, a department with which you have a good working relationship, is just out of the question. You already know that they are not interested in going to work for WEMA, (because as was stated by one of you last night, “I don’t want to work for Mt. Juliet”, when you read between the lines you hear, “the folks that work for Lebanon are not going to be interested in going to WEMA”. So you know that you can’t support anything that would dismantle the Lebanon Fire Department. Mt. Juliet has been taking the position that if Lebanon wants to have its own fire department than “go with God” (As Linda put it last night), but that doesn’t mean we should have our own fire department. That is the practical and logical answer, and I get that answer, but that position doesn’t solve anything. I have always said, being “Correct” doesn’t always mean you are “right”. From a legal and financial level, taking the position that we are already paying the county to provide fire protection is the correct answer…but I am finding that it isn’t the “Right” answer. That answer leaves too many factors out of the equation. You see, it’s not enough for me to have adequate facilities, adequate equipment, proper break-out gear, and proper staffing, in Mt. Juliet, I want the people who stand guard over this city to connect with me, Joe Q. Public; I want them to feel like they “belong” here in Mt. Juliet. I want them to feel like Mt. Juliet is their base of operations. I am getting to the point where I don’t believe that will happen unless Mt. Juliet has its own department.
Last night I got the distinct, and I believe very real, impression that no answer other than Mt. Juliet developing its own fire department will suffice for those who work for WEMA. You seem to have developed a paradigm that “the” solution, the “only” solution, is for Mt. Juliet to have its own department, and that instead of developing the “correct” political solution, you want, and are determined to get, what you believe is the “Right” solution. Okay, I get that, too. I may not completely agree with your position, but until I am ready to suit up with you and man a hose, my opinion really isn’t going to matter much, and probably shouldn’t.
So, if Mt. Juliet is going to have its own fire department, the next question is, “how do we do it without upsetting Lebanon, without developing a situation where there is no longer mutual aid, and under which the citizens of Mt. Juliet don’t end up being double taxed for the same service.”
I think the answer is simple, but maybe not easy. As a matter of fact, I believe it is tremendously simple, but it will be up to you and the county how “easy” it is. WEMA is going to have to agree to be flexible. You guys will have to be willing to bend just a little, or a lot, and do something that may be uncomfortable for the next 5 to 7 years. But my solution, if implemented, will get you where you want to be while keeping an even balance within the borders of Wilson County.
Cooperate! Just because we implement fire tax districts doesn’t mean that the county has to completely abandon the MT. Juliet fire department building. You see, that has been a sticking point. It is a sticking point that has been developed due to “paradigms”. Paradigms, for those who are not familiar with the term, are beliefs that are so strongly held that you can’t see a different way.
What if: wilson County agreed that it would pay for fire protection services only out of property taxes?
What if: wilson County abandoned the practice of paying for, or pretending to pay for, fire protection from shared tax sources and simply allocated a portion of property taxes to fire protection?
What if: for that consideration, Mt. Juliet agreed to develop its own fire department.
What if: the county would set up fire tax districts within the unincorporated areas of the county, as it probably should have already done years ago.
What if: the incorporated areas of the county would be 100% responsible for their own fire departments.
What if: the county were to make that concession, and then the city of Mt. Juliet, agreed to immediately annex areas that it hasn’t annexed when those areas would put an undo burden on the county. I am talking about areas around Langford farms and those areas where it makes sense for them to be in the city more than it makes sense for them to be in the county. The city would then become responsible for fire protection services to those areas.
What if: The county agreed to develop a plan of service for those areas that lie outside the 20 year growth plan for Mt. Juliet and outside the incorporated areas of the other cities and their growth plans.
What if: The incorporated areas of Wilson County developed a service plan for their twenty year growth plan so that everyone could examine the overall plan in Wilson County and identify strengths and weaknesses in the plan and develop a comprehensive plan for the entire county that ensures that we are making smart decisions, and not just “political” decision. In other words, I get it that if the county were to build a WEMA station somewhere between the Current Mt. Juliet line and 109, eventually, that station would be within the city limits as the city annexed more and more areas within its growth plan. However, until that happens, WEMA must continue to provide services to those areas. If I were a county commissioner, I would have to consider that factor when I was making decisions about all of this. With that in mind, perhaps we need to develop an agreement between the city and the county under which those facilities would be turned over to Mt. Juliet, when the time was right, under agreed terms. In reality, those stations would be paid for by the people who live in that fire tax district, so the building and equipment eventually should be turned over to Mt. Juliet’s fire department without charge to Mt. Juliet as those areas are annexed into the city. However, I realize that something about that part of the plan won’t sit well with the county, but it would be “equitable”:
but what if: until Mt. Juliet annexes all of its 20 year growth plan, WEMA would be allowed to house fire engines and staff inside Mt. Juliet’s fire houses wherever WEMA needs to protect areas just outside Mt. Juliet and vice versa
What if: Mt Juliet agreed to build the additional fire houses we need in the Mt. Juliet area?
I know that this solution isn’t what you guys would want, you want to be WEMA and you want Mt. Juliet’s Fire Department to be Mt. Juliet’s Fire Department (meaning you don’t want to share spaces), you don’t mind working together to fight fires, but you don’t want to live together. But I implore you to keep your eye on the ball, this isn’t about you, it’s about the protection of the citizens. There are no short-term solutions to this long-term problem. Besides, if WEMA, the County, and Lebanon are going to make it so Mt. Juliet “has” to have its own Fire Department, then you should help make sure that it is fully functional and the department has a chance to get off of the ground before you pull out of Mt. Juliet anyway. I don’t want to one day start a Mt. Juliet Fire Department and have you guys pull out of Mt. Juliet at the same time. That would be a dangerous situation. So I suggest a five-year transition with an option of 2 additional years if necessary. During that transition, Mt. Juliet would develop its own department, expand its boundaries, and Wilson county would make preparations for the time when they have to eventually abandon Mt. Juliet’s fire department buildings and move its equipment elsewhere. The county could focus its attention to the areas of the county that are outside incorporated growth boundaries. Nobody is left unprotected under a plan like this.
The county would have to provide a property tax offset to Lebanon, Watertown, Mt. Juliet and any other incorporated city within the county. The county would establish a fire tax on the property of the unincorporated areas of the county. The city would have an offset equal to the fire tax the county charges on the property inside the unincorporated areas of the county. The city would have to have a property tax increase equal to the offset from the county (meaning, if the county allocated 20 cents to fire protection inside unincorporated Wilson County, the incorporated areas of the county would see a decrease in property taxes of 20 cents. As a result, we would have to have a 20 cent increase in city property taxes, but our overall taxes paid probably would not increase. Although each city could spend more than the offset if their commission so voted.)
Each department could enter into mutual aid agreements all they want. We could enter into inter-local agreements regarding equipment and sharing resources.
Everyone ends up with better protection under this plan (unless the county doesn’t do its part for the citizens of unincorporated Wilson County), we end up with better inter-department cooperation, less enmity, Incorporated Cities can focus on what they need rather than leaving it in the hands of the county, the fire departments would feel connected to the citizens they serve, everyone wins.
The only downside to this plan is that the county would probably be resistant to it because they may have to increase property taxes inside the unincorporated areas of the county even more than they already charge in order to cover their territory. But that isn’t Mt. Juliet’s fault. If the county wants us to develop our own fire department, they are going to have to compromise.
As long as Lebanon has its own fire department, and WEMA is unwilling to mess that up, a true county-wide fire protection service is not plausible. So the BATNA (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement) is to develop a phased-in approach through which Mt. Juliet takes over its own fire protection services in exchange for WEMA assisting us and in exchange for the county taking responsibility for the costs of their own protection.
Under this plan, nobody gets the rug pulled out from under them, we don’t have to spend a lot of time and money going to court, we don’t need a change to legislation, everyone gets taxed equitably, we end up with a workable plan for many, many years, Lebanon gets a boost in revenue because they would get the offset too (although they would have to take over more of the responsibility for their protection as well), WEMA could begin to focus more of its time, money, equipment, and attention to those areas of the county that will remain unincorporated once the cities have finished their growth plans within the county, we end up with a cooperative program where mutual aid is the watchword, we make better use of equipment and personnel than if Mt. Juliet is forced into a situation it doesn’t like, and perhaps we can begin to settle some of the other differences that exist between east and west.
Now, the alternative to this plan leads to bitterness and rivalry. If WEMA sides with the county and Lebanon and attempts to force Mt. Juliet to fund its own fire department without tax equity, the result will be more hostility and even deeper enmity, court battles, vicious politics, and conflict. In other words, I can envision a battle that would rage for years. The problem for Lebanon and the County is that Mt. Juliet is truly positioned to win that war for the next thirty years. We can easily make the law work in our favor. The county and other incorporated cities in Wilson County won’t like a protracted battle with Mt. Juliet, we are poised for greater and faster growth than any other place in Tennessee. If we put the right people on our commission who take up the charge, this city could explode with growth. The county has to fund schools through property taxes. Mt. Juliet could so put a hurtin on the county that they are brought to their knees just trying to keep up. I don’t want to see this battle begin, but I believe that if the city of Mt. Juliet continues to be pushed without there being an acceptable plan, we are in for a battle none-the-less. It simply is not fair or responsible for fire protection to be held over our heads like a political weapon, and that is what it feels like is being done right now. It feels like there are forces in this county, not saying “WEMA” is that force, but that there are groups of people bent on forcing Mt. Juliet to form its own fire department and pay for fire protection services twice, once with the county and once with our own department. You guys have to know that that wouldn’t even be a good situation for the men and women who work for the Mt. Juliet Fire Department. How would you like to work for a department that was begrudgingly formed and is begrudgingly operated? I don’t think you would, therefore, I believe it is only fitting for you to support a plan that addresses “all” of the concerns, and not just what puts a band-aid on the problem.
Seriously guys, I believe my plan would work, and based on the wants, needs and attitudes of everyone I have heard so far, it is the only solution that will work…but work it will, if it is put in play.
October 5, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Butch,
I realize you are trying, but you still have not provided any information to your claim that the county “has” to provide fire tax districts per a court order. It would appear that your facts are wrong.
On the other hand, you brought up last night and have now based part of your opinion above on a provision which you are quoting from TN state law that you believe was passed for Wilson County in regards to fire tax districts. I believe you have more bad information, in that the population in Wilson County for 1990 was 67,675.
October 5, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Chris:
Ask the folks at the county for a copy of Alsup et al v. Wilson County – sometime in the early 1990’s. The County was ordered to implement Fire Tax Districts. The plaintiffs were residents of parts of rural Wilson County who were, at the time, not receiving ANY coverage by WEMA and objected to paying for WEMA.
The county drug their feet, and eventually, the section of TCA which said “shall” was amended to read “may” which relieved the county of an obligation to implement fire tax districts.
See also this bill from 1999, sponsored by Sen. Rochelle which amended the language about fire tax districts. The county is no longer under any obligation to adopt/implement fire tax districts – but they may do so if they want to.
October 5, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Thanks. I hadn’t put much effort into looking for the court case, and I had asked the person making the claim to find it.
The funding portion of the entire bill says “may” and does not obligate the county to pay for the WEMA budget out of any particular revenue source as some have claimed.
So can we now drop the idea that the county HAS to implement fire tax districts?
October 5, 2008 at 4:24 pm
At one time TCA (state law) said if a county provided a county-wide fire service, they had to adopt fire tax districts. Wilson County got into the fire protection business a little at a time, but eventually they were providing a county-wide fire service (thanks to their absorption of the Mt. Juliet volunteer fire department in 1986).
The county lost a lawsuit and was ordered to implement fire tax districts, but they never did.
And the law has since been amended so that the county currently does not HAVE to implement fire tax districts.
But they MAY, if they wish to.
October 5, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Butch,
Just for education wise, an aerial and a ladder are basically the same thing. When your talking aerial apparatus their are different types, such as straight ladders and platforms. Aerial platform trucks have a bucket on the end of the ladder and a straight ladder just is that, just a ladder.
Then another thing is the height of the aerial, anywhere between 55 ft. and most 102 ft., for example we both 75 ft Quints (which is a ladder with no bucket) and 102 ft. Towers (which have a buckett).
If you want to see some different types to hopefully give you some more info look at this website http://www.sutphen.com/Products.asp_Q_navigationid_E_4 This is one mfg. out there.
Hope that helps
October 5, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Not trying to pick a fight, but laws that are no longer in effect have no bearing on what happens today or in the near future.
Publius, if you knew the court case that was being represented as the proof, why didn’t you bring it out a long time ago? It might have stopped the spread of a lot of the misinformation that has been presented.
October 5, 2008 at 5:28 pm
5-17-101
(a) The county legislative body or other governing body of any county is authorized to form a new agency to be known as the county-wide fire department for the purpose of providing fire protection services to all of the county.
Chris, 5-17-101 is not saying that the county “must” establish a county-wide fire department, it is saying that it is authorized to form a county-wide fire department.
(b) The powers and duties of the county-wide fire department may be delegated by the county legislative body or other governing body to an existing agency.
(c) (1) The governing body of any county that now has or may hereafter have a metropolitan form of government as defined by § 7-1-101, is authorized to form a new agency to be known as the county-wide fire department, or to extend fire protection services of an existing agency or department to all or any part thereof of the general services district outside the urban services district in the manner and to the extent prescribed in this section.
(2) In counties governed by metropolitan government, the powers and duties of the agency or department affording fire protection outside the urban services district shall be vested in that agency in which the charter of the metropolitan government vests the responsibility for protection against fire of life and property within the urban services district.
(d) A fire department established pursuant to this chapter may be funded through one (1) of the following methods:
Chris: Section (d) right above where it says “may be funded” should be taken, in my opinin as “shall be funded” when you take the following sections in context.
(1) As authorized by §§ 5-17-105 — 5-17-107, the county legislative body may establish one (1) or more fire tax districts and levy an annual fire tax upon the property in each district for the purpose of funding the activities of the fire department within that district;
Chris, this isn’t saying that the county “Has” to establish fire tax districts, it is saying that it “May” establish one or more fire tax districts and levy and annual fire tax upon property in each district for the purpose of funding the activities of the fire department within that district. Now, pay close attention to this because there is going to be a quiz on this later.
(2) As an alternative to fire tax districts, the county legislative body is hereby authorized to allocate revenue from the general fund of the county to fund fire protection services to be provided to the unincorporated portions of the county. Any such revenues allocated for fire protection services shall be generated by situs-based taxes collected in unincorporated areas of the county or shall originate from other revenue sources that have already been shared with municipalities;
Chris, there are some key points to section (2): Watch closely; see where it says “as an alternative to fire tax districts? The use of the words “as an alternative” should be understood as saying “fire tax districts are the primary option for the provision and taxation for fire protection services, but just in case that doesn’t work for your county for some reason, we are including an option for you to make it easier. See where section (2) says that the county is authorized to allocate money from the general fund of the county to fund fire protection services to be provided to the unincorporated portions of the county? That is saying that the county can use those funds in the unincorporated areas of the county if it doesn’t elect to establish fire tax districts, but it cannot use those fund to provide fire protection to the incorporated sections of the county. Section (2) clearly states that there are two options from where that money from the general fund may be collected and used. One is from situs based taxes collected in unincorporated areas of the county and the other is shared revenues, which means sales taxes. This section precludes the county from using property taxes from incorporated cities and using them on fire protection in unincorporated areas of the county. It is plain English. Notice where it says situs based taxes collected in unincorporated areas of the county “OR” shall originate from other revenue sources that have already been shared with municipalities? First off, notice the “or” in that sentence. I take the word “or” to me either you can do it one way “or” you can do it the other way, but not both. Otherwise the law should say “and/or” instead of “or”.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the ability of local governments to provide for fire protection services through an interlocal agreement as authorized by title 12, chapter 9, or any other provision of the Tennessee Code;
Chris: Section (3) goes back in and allows the county to provide fire protection to the cites through interlocal agreements with incorporated areas of the county.
(4) Nothing in this subsection (d) shall prohibit nor be construed to prohibit a local government from accepting donations or charitable contributions to fund the activities of the fire department, regardless of the method of funding selected by a local government under the provisions of this section.
Chris, notice in all of this where they are talking about the county the law says “county” but when they are talking about incorporated governments they say “local government”? I believe what this is saying is that we can do fundraisers here in Mt. Juliet to raise money for the fire department, but it doesn’t address the county doing it.
(e) Any county choosing to create a county-wide fire district as authorized by this section, may, with the approval of the local legislative body, mandate that all interlocal agreements and contracts with providers for services permitted under this section contain performance based criteria designed to ensure timely response and effective services, the exact methodology of which is to be determined by local ordinance.
Chris, I have to admit, I don’t fully get section (e) above. I suspect that this is saying that the county can mandate the quality and quantity of services provided under a local agreement as long as the city approves what they are mandating. Again, I think this law is very poorly written.
[Acts 1965, ch. 138, § 1; 1968, ch. 611, § 1; 1973, ch. 211, § 1; impl. am. Acts 1978, ch. 934, §§ 7, 36; T.C.A., § 5-1701; Acts 1999, ch. 125, § 1; 2007, ch. 145, § 1.]
5-17-102. Powers and duties. —
(a) With the specific exceptions relating to metropolitan governments provided for in this section, the county-wide fire department is empowered to do all things necessary to provide coordinated fire protection to all areas of the county, including, but not limited to:
(1) Sue and be sued;
(2) Take or acquire real or personal property of every kind, or any interest therein, within the county, by grant, purchase, gift, devise or lease, and hold, manage, occupy, dispose of, convey and encumber the same and create a leasehold interest in the same for the benefit of the county;
(3) Exercise the right of eminent domain, but only with the consent of the county legislative body or other governing body;
(4) Establish, equip, operate and maintain a county-wide fire department and establish and enforce regulations including, but not limited to, those for the administration, operation and maintenance thereof;
(5) Appoint and employ necessary employees and define their qualifications, duties and responsibilities, and provide for payment in reasonable sums for such duties;
(6) Employ counsel;
(7) Enter into and perform all necessary contracts, including, but not limited to:
(A) Contracts for the supply of water where necessary for fire protection;
(B) Contract to have existing fire departments and others provide fire protection services in any area of the county, including, but not limited to:
(i) Contracts with incorporated towns and utility districts to provide such service within or without their corporate limits;
(ii) Contracts to provide fire protection services for any city, town, district, or any part thereof within the county;
(C) Contracts to provide and be provided training and maintenance;
(D) Contracts to provide and be provided all special service functions, such as arson investigation, inspection, and emergency ambulance and rescue services;
(8) Provide and maintain all special service functions necessary for the prevention of fires, including the investigation of the cause of fires and the enforcement of regulations to prevent harmful fires and smoke;
(9) Provide and maintain an emergency ambulance, first aid and rescue service;
(10) Make regulations, in order to prevent harmful fires and smoke, that shall have the force of law when approved by the county legislative body or other governing body;
(11) Give aid anywhere in the county in the event of fire, flood or other disaster;
(12) Assist local and volunteer fire departments whenever necessary. Such assistance includes, but is not limited to, financial aid and shall be upon such terms as agreed to by both parties;
(13) Provide training and maintenance services for the benefit of any fire department;
(14) Set up a central communications network connecting all fire and emergency units in the county;
(15) Train, equip, maintain, and provide for the payment of volunteers at the discretion of the county-wide fire department;
(16) Recommend the boundaries of fire tax district or districts to the county legislative body or other governing body, in those counties that have chosen to fund fire departments through fire tax districts, in order to have the fire taxes more nearly reflect the cost of services to be rendered in each area of the county, and recommend the amount to be spent in each such district;
(17) Make reasonable charges for any services rendered that are not included in the fire tax of the district; and
(18) With the approval of the county legislative body or other governing body, make written agreements for allocation and conveyance of any or all public functions, rights, duties, property, assets and liabilities of the county-wide fire department to any annexing municipality that justice or reason may require in the circumstances.
(b) In those counties that now have or may hereafter have a metropolitan form of government, the powers described in subdivisions (a)(1)-(3), (5), (6) and (9) shall not be vested in the county-wide fire department, but shall be vested in the metropolitan government, to be exercised in the manner provided by its charter.
[Acts 1965, ch. 138, § 2; 1968, ch. 611, §§ 2, 3; impl. am. Acts 1978, ch. 934, §§ 7, 36; T.C.A., § 5-1702; Acts 1999, ch. 125, § 2.]
5-17-103. County fire chief. —
(a) The county-wide fire department shall be headed by an official to be known as the county fire chief, in whom shall be vested all the powers of the agency and the right to delegate those powers to such persons as the fire chief may see fit.
(b) While responding to, operating at, or returning from an emergency site, the fire chief, or any member serving in the capacity of fire officer in charge, shall have all authority granted to municipal fire departments by the provisions of § 6-21-703.
(c) The county fire chief shall be appointed by the county mayor, subject to confirmation by the county legislative body or other governing body.
(d) In counties governed by a metropolitan government as defined by § 7-1-101, the provisions of this section shall not be effective, and the management and control of the agency or department shall be vested in the person in whom the charter of the metropolitan government vests the management and control of the agency that has the responsibility for the protection against fire of life and property within the urban services district.
(e) In any county having a population of not less than eight hundred thousand (800,000), according to the 2000 federal census or any subsequent federal census, the county fire chief shall be appointed by the county mayor, subject to confirmation by the county legislative body. The county mayor and legislative body shall ensure that the views and opinions of all participating governmental entities are given full consideration in the selection of the fire chief, with the exact methodology to be determined by local ordinance.
[Acts 1965, ch. 138, § 3; 1968, ch. 611, § 4; 1978, ch. 674, § 1; impl. am. Acts 1978, ch. 934, §§ 7, 36; T.C.A., § 5-1703; Acts 1999, ch. 125, § 4; 2003, ch. 90, § 2; 2007, ch. 39, § 1.]
5-17-104. Budget. —
(a) The county-wide fire department shall prepare an annual budget of anticipated receipts and expenditures, and it shall be submitted to the county legislative body or other governing body of the county.
(b) In those counties that have established fire tax districts, the county-wide fire department shall determine what share of the total annual expense of the county-wide fire department must be allocated to each fire tax district.
(c) In those counties having a metropolitan government, the budget for the county-wide fire department shall be prepared, submitted and adopted in the manner provided therefor in the charter of the metropolitan government.
[Acts 1965, ch. 138, § 4; 1968, ch. 611, § 5; impl. am. Acts 1978, ch. 934, §§ 7, 36; T.C.A., § 5-1704; Acts 1999, ch. 125, § 3.]
5-17-105. Fire tax districts. —
(a) (1) The boundaries of fire tax districts shall be determined by the county legislative body or other governing body, and shall become fixed by resolution of the county legislative body or other governing body thirty (30) days or more after notice of the determination of the boundaries of a district has been given to the property owners of the district.
(2) Such notice shall be given by mailing a description of the boundaries of the district to all of the property owners of record within the district, at their last known address.
(b) The boundaries of any district may be altered at any time by means of the same procedure by which the district was created.
(c) In the case of county-wide fire districts as authorized by § 5-17-101, the fire tax district shall comprise the entire county outside of any and all incorporated municipalities within the county, but each and every such incorporated municipality within the county may elect to contract with the county for inclusion in such fire tax district as authorized by § 5-17-108.
Chris, again, this law is ambiguous to say the least. It appears to me, when you take this section (C) in context with the other provisions in the other laws, that this is saying that the county cannot tax the incorporated areas of the county for fire protection. However, we can contract with the county for WEMA to provide us services.
(d) In those counties having eight (8) or more incorporated municipalities that levy a property tax and four (4) or more special school districts, the fire tax district shall comprise the entire county, including each and every incorporated municipality.
[Acts 1965, ch. 138, § 5; 1978, ch. 674, § 4; impl. am. Acts 1978, ch. 934, §§ 7, 36; T.C.A., § 5-1705; Acts 1996, ch. 836, § 1.]
5-17-106. Fire tax — Levy. —
(a) The county legislative body or other governing body shall levy an annual fire tax upon the property owners of each district. The county legislative body of any county having a population of not less than eighty thousand (80,000) nor more than eighty-three thousand (83,000) according to the 1990 federal census or any subsequent federal census, that after April 8, 1992 establishes a fire tax district, may levy an annual fire tax upon the property owners of each district. If a tax is levied, the provisions of subsection (b) shall apply to such fire tax.
Chris, this one threw me as well. It appears that the wording of the law allows any county that ever exceeds 80,000 people to elect to establish a fire tax district, to levy an annual fire tax on property owners of each district if they so choose. What this provision for cities that exceed 80,000 after the 1990 census does is it allows them to pay for fire service in the unincorporated areas of the county through shared revenue or situs based property taxes. However, if a county does not meet the 80,000 threshold of this provision it “Must” levy and annual fire tax in each district.
(b) The fire tax of each fire tax district shall be set at a rate sufficient to pay that district’s share of the total budget of the county-wide fire department.
[Acts 1965, ch. 138, § 6; impl. am. Acts 1978, ch. 934, §§ 7, 36; T.C.A., § 5-1706; Acts 1992, ch. 649, § 1.]
5-17-107. Fire tax — Inclusion in property tax. —
(a) The fire tax shall be assessed in the same manner as the county property tax and collected as an addition thereto.
(b) The fire tax shall in all ways be treated as a part of the county property tax.
[Acts 1965, ch. 138, § 7; T.C.A., § 5-1707.]
5-17-108. Service supplementary. —
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit in any way the fire departments of any municipality or utility district providing fire service, but merely authorizes such county fire protection service to contract with municipalities or utility districts in order to coordinate fire service county-wide.
[Acts 1965, ch. 138, § 8; T.C.A., § 5-1708.]
Chris, I could be wrong, but I don’t think I am. I think what these laws, when taken together, are saying is that unless the county can pay for all of the fire service for the unincorporated areas of the county with shared revenue that it has already shared with the city “or” they have to pay for their tax services through property taxes from the county. Now, if the county can pay for “all” of their fire protection services within the unincorporated areas of the county using only sales taxes, the Mt. Juliet could legally be put in a place where it either has to elect not to have city fire protection services, establishes its own fire department, pay a private fire to provide fire protection services, or pay the county to provide the service. However, if it cannot pay for the entire fire protection service throughout the unincorporated areas of the county with shared revenues, meaning in this case, sales taxes, it has to either go with situs-based property taxes in the unincorporated areas of the county or fire tax districts. Just as I have said. Either way, the county and the city need to really get together, because I don’t think it was the intention of the legislature for the county to use situs-based revenues, fire tax revenues, or even shared taxes that have already been shared to pay for the provision of fire protection services to Mt. Juliet. In other words, I believe we are outside the spirit of the law, if not the letter of the law, right now…that is, unless there is sufficient evidence that the value given to the county by the city by leasing the fire department building to the county and other items add up to the value of the protection we are getting here in Mt. Juliet. But at the same time, if the county can’t satisfy the requirement of the “or” in the choices between situs or shared revenues, then the whole game changes and county residents in the unincorporated areas of the county are either in for an increase in property taxes or we who live in the incorporated areas should see a decrease in county property taxes and a bill for what the county provides to us. It could be a shell game, but it is a game that must be played. We need to fix this and make it legal.
But then, Chris, you missed the point of my last post. My plan works. Even after having gone though these laws it still works. In fact, I think it more correctly fits what the legislature passed than anything I have seen to date. As evidence of this see 5-17-102 (18) where it is talking about the conveyance of county fire department buildings from the county to the city as the city annexes in more and more sections of the unincorporated areas of the county.
Chris, again, I could be wrong about this matter, the law on all of this is very confusing. But I think I am right, and until someone can show me that I am wrong I am going to continue to think I am right.
October 5, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Thanks, Shawn.
October 5, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Chris, you are simply wrong. You won’t admit it for some reason, but if you go and read the law you will find out that revenue sources have everything to do with this.
The legislature didn’t want counties to be able to do what it appears the county is doing right now…which is take money from the citizens of one area of the county to provide services to citizens of another area of the county. Shared tax revenues are a horse of a different color, they aren’t based on property and they come from citizens throughout the county and beyond. Since they are shared revenues, meaning the incorporated areas get their share of the loot, the county can, under the provisions of the law, pay for fire protection with that money. But what they can’t do is use property taxes while they fund the department with those monies.
Chris, “You” are the politician, not me. You are the one that should be doing the research, not me. You are the one that should be representing Mt. Juliet on the county commission, not me. Do your homework, obviously you haven’t read the law.
October 5, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Chris:
History is important. If I had been able to produce a copy of the judge’s order in Alsup v. Wilson Co. I would have. But I’m sure it exists.
You can’t understand the current fire protection situation in Wilson County without knowing the history. As late as 2006, the county confidently asserted that WEMA had always provided Fire Protection in Mt. Juliet and denied that there had ever been a Mt. Juliet Volunteer Fire Department. There was, and Mt. Juliet provided fire protection in west Wilson County when the County couldn’t.
That fact is important.
October 5, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Publius,
History is important, but old laws and court cases that have no bearing should not be considered in this scenario. Why should they? They have absolutely no bearing on the current situation. The fire protection issue in 1986 or 1966 has nothing to do with the current situation other than old grudges. What does a grudge get you at the end of the day? Nothing.
On the other hand, maybe history does have something for this discussion. Do any of you remember when MJ was incorporated, or how many times it took to pass? Any idea how many votes it passed by? Wonder who was subsidizing who when we had a DQ, Green Hill Market and not much else?
Butch,
The case you have been spewing about has absolutely no bearing on the present situation, and you “heard” about it and nothing else. I asked for that information many times, and you could not produce it. If you had any credibility, I might have done the research, but you don’t, and besides, you said a court case and no other information was given. Give some information such as Publius did about the case, such as, oh, I don’t know, maybe some names involved to actually be able to find that case, and I might spend the time to research. Either way, the case has absolutely no bearing.
To top that, the law that you spit out last night about fire tax districts has absolutely nothing to do with Wilson County. The population in Wilson County in 1990 was 67,675 and the special act you were speaking about last night was set up for counties with a population of 80 to 83k. Again, nothing to do with Wilson County. I don’t care if you admit you were wrong, it happens, and we are all human. The more misinformation you put out you less credibilty you have.
Do you realize that when the word “may” is involved in a law, it allows for something but does not require it?
More importantly, the words “politician” coming from you is like a badge of honor for me. In case you weren’t aware, I was sworn in around 35 days ago, and the short term plan I hope to present doesn’t require additional taxation, and is on the way to CTAS for their opinion. If you want your plan, run against me in 2 years and raise taxes. Or run against Sellars and do a city FD and really raise some taxes!
October 5, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Obviously, Chris and I have some differences on this topic. I am eager to see his short term plan.
I will search a little deeper and see if I am wrong. If I am, I will admit it, but hopefully, if Chris is wrong, he will admit it as well. As I have said many times, I don’t want to be wrong, I want to be right.
For the record, the post I sent out at 5:30 was not meant to be sent, it went out somehow by mistake when the long post went out at 5:28. Chris has made an attempt to be civil on here, and I didn’t want to send out a harsh post, but it got past me somehow. Sorry Chris.
I believe we are looking for the same things, but we may be going about it from different angles. At the end of the day I am looking for an honest board of commissioners who will set this city straight.
Chris, as I have said many times, I am not interested in running for local office, and that includes the county commission. You get offended by the word “politician” but you shouldn’t. There is nothing wrong with being a “politician”, there is just something wrong with being a “bad politician”. Holding public office isn’t a bad thing, it is a good thing. Abusing public office is the bad thing. I don’t suspect you are doing that. I believe you want to make a positive difference, we just butt heads once in awhile. That doesn’t make you a bad guy or me a bad guy…it means we are human and not just sitting around doing nothing. I realize you don’t think I am getting anything done Chris, but I assure you that I get a lot more done than you give me credit for…perhaps that is because you don’t know the rest of the story.
October 5, 2008 at 9:48 pm
I can live with that. Please check the facts though that we spoke about on the phone. If you find the facts in your favor, I’m sure you will let us know.
October 6, 2008 at 10:42 am
Comparatively speaking, how does the MJPD/WCSO differ from a MJFD/WEMA relationship? Keep in mind that mutual aid is not duplicate service. How are the MJPD and the WCSO funded? Thank you in adavance.
October 6, 2008 at 11:19 am
One more thought on duplicate service. Given my example to candidate Mack on Sat. night, house fire in MJ with no MJFD, WEMA responds with 16 FF’s. Now no fire protection or EMS west of 109. MJ serviced by units from as far away as Lebanon and Watertown during the event. Not an acceptable result. Now, same fire with MJFD. The 12 FF’s from MJFD mitigate fire while a) no FF from WEMA may be needed. MJ and rest of county covered. or b) Engine 3 and Engine 4 respond with mutual aid via 4 add’tl. FF’s. This leaves all EMS units manned and ready at stations. Engine 5 goes roadside to provide dual fire protection coverage for MJ and south county. This is mutual aid at its best. It works between WEMA and Lebanon FD, WEMA and Nashville Metro FD, and WEMA and Watertown VFD.
October 6, 2008 at 11:23 am
Jamie, first off, there is no MJFD. “MJ”PD is funded through city dollars, and “WC”SO is funded through county dollars. WEMA is a county organization and is funded entirely through the county. Mack nailed it the other night, you guys have no beef with the mayoral candidates, because there is no such animal as MJFD.
Please understand, just because Lebanon has something, does not mean that we need the same. They have a fire department and a special school district. If you get a MJFD, should we then start our own special school district? MJ is not under taxed, Lebanon is over taxed. Instead of the people of Lebanon getting tax relief, you have people in Lebanon who want MJ to pay as much as they do.
And for what it is worth, where is WEMA headquarters? In downtown Lebanon, and has twice as much staff and equipment as the station in MJ. WEMA provides two ambulances in Lebanon due to the need, and they provide extrication as well as engines at fire scenes. It is not a scenario of Lebanon paying for our fire protection, because they have more county equipment in Lebanon than we have in MJ.
Don’t get caught up in the Lebanon mayoral race antics. It is a simple strategy of playing on emotions and nothing else. Farmer got some headlines a few weeks back with his proposal to cut off mutual aid to MJ, which they have sent to MJ a total of twice in six years.
The S & S fire was mentioned the other night as well. It would have burned to the ground no matter how many firefighters were on scene. Ladder trucks would not have made a bit of difference. It was property, and not one life was to be sent in a building that had no occupants. They build fiberglass products, and they have insurance. You know as well as I do, when you have lives to save, you risk lives. When you don’t have lives to save, you don’t risk lives.
October 6, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Jamie,
You seem to be stuck on this argument. It is an argument that you can’t win with. I understand your position, but you are not going to get five commissioners to make yet another mistake because someone made a mistake before…if it was a mistake. You have to do the comparison of the laws, not opinions. The only thing you can accomplish by this line of debate is to dissolve the Mt. Juliet Police Department, not develop a Mt. Juliet Fire Department. You are basically saying that “because” Mt. Juliet funds its own police department it therefore has to fund its own Fire Department, an argument that I not only don’t agree with, but I oppose. Two wrongs don’t make a right. The only reason I would support a Mt. Juliet Fire Department is if we couldn’t fix whatever needs to be fixed with how the system is set up right now and we were not getting proper coverage here. I am not convinced that both of those conditions are being met right now. I believe that we can find a common ground with all of this without developing a money pit that will never be full. Duplication of services of this type are always an unnecessary liability.
The other side of that same coin Jamie, it is possible that a Mt. Juliet Police Department is the “right” choice, while a Mt. Juliet Fire Department is the “wrong” choice. That prospect puts your debate on this issue on a different plane.
Mt. Juliet should only develop its own fire department if it is the “right” thing to do or if the citizens vote to do it even if it is the “wrong” thing to do. (I know one of my friends won’t like that statement at all.) But we should never, in my opinion, develop a Mt. Juliet Fire Department because we have a Police Department, that is a Non sequitur argument.
October 7, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Chris,
I did not mention the LSSD because that is not part of my question. I have never said that MJ should mirror Lebanon. My issue starts and stops with the FD. The LFD works in Lebanon for the citizens of the city and works well for them. Personally, I would like to see (if there were to be a MJFD) the big red trucks as BLS and/or ALS first response trucks. This is something Lebanon does not have and would be an improvement over. I am well aware there is no MJFD. That is just one proposal, not all.
Butch,
Let me state for the record that I am in NO WAY in favor of any changes or dissolving of the MJPD!!! I am NOT saying that because MJ has a PD they HAVE to have a FD. I AM saying that because MJ has a PD they CAN have a FD. It can come about and operate in a similar manner. The MJPD is NOT a mistake! As far as proper coverage goes, if you are not convinced at this point that there are large and dangerous gaps in protection service, then Butch I do not know what to tell you to convince you. I invite you for further dialog, I invite you to ride along with me on shifts, or simply grab a map and a scanner and log the daily activity for yourself. I am not an alarmist. There exist a problem in the current provision of life/safety services for the citizens of the city of MJ. It is not a constant continuous problem, but there are times when the citizens of MJ are at great risk. More times than should be allowed or expected considering where MJ is today as a city with the ability to eliminate these times of risk. The creation of a MJFD would not be a wrong choice and it is not the only right choice. But a choice needs to be made NOW. We need help to provide safe coverage for our neighbors.
October 7, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Simply put, the homes that are on the N Greenhill side of your neighborhood are in the county, and why should there be a man made line that starts and stops the fire protection? MJ is not a box, and there are many areas that would have less protection than they do now. The Lakeview station would be off by itself with the closest county mutual aid being the Laguardo station. I know what you will say, MJ could and would provide mutual aid to them. Then we are leaving MJ without coverage and that is what half of this is about, right?
Jamie, at some point you will realize that I am in favor of beefing up WEMA, and against MJ starting their own FD. On ther other hand, if you want to push yourself out of a job and into a property tax, feel free.
October 7, 2008 at 4:06 pm
I agree with Chris on this.
When you fully understand the issue you will realize that a Mt. Juliet Fire Department will only make fire protection in Wilson County more expensive – not better.
It might make people in Lebanon feel better but it won’t save them any money either.
October 7, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Chris,
“out of a job and into a property tax” is very limited thinking. Surely, you are capable of better. I have stated before, MJFD is not the only option, beefing up WEMA will help. Whatvever the plan, the time is now.
Lex,
if doing the job does not give me the understanding I need, then tell me your qualifications and what else I should know. Do you fully understand the issue? If so, please share with me and the citizens of this city that are at times at risk your insight.
October 7, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Jamie, I was sworn in 36 days ago. How quick do you think things happen?
October 7, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Chris,
by the sound of your previous post, with the example you gave of N Greenhill Rd, the Lakeview station, and how mutual aid would put us right back where we are now, I got the feeling you had it all figured out. You certainly do not write as a public servant with only 36 days under his belt. To be effective, you must listen, learn, and think with a creative process. Do that, and you can start making progress on issues from day one. I do not have all the answers but I do have all the intentions of making improvements in the safety of the people in this city. Please, if you are going to tell me what is wrong with my suggestions, then please tell me what is so right about yours. Creation of a MJFD will cause a redistribution of the areas covered by WEMA and possibly a relocation of station 3. Just a possibility to consider. The reason beefing WEMA up is not my first choice is the possibility that it will disrupt the current way of life at LFD. I love and respect LFD and do not wish to do anything remotely that might rock their way. If MJ writes WEMA a check for anything less that $3mm (that’s LFD’s annual budget, give or take) then does it not make sense that Lebanon might want that cherry of a deal on fire protection. Not only that but with a beefed up WEMA, Lebanon could get EMS, Haz-Mat, etc. Lebanon city gov’t. in the past has hinted as much. I do not want that for Lebanon or the Godsent FF’s at LFD. I wish for MJ to take care of the citizens of MJ. MJFD or not, something to improve the ability to care for these folks. Tomorrow morning at a little after 6am dirt will be moved and MJ will grow, residential and commercial. Tomorrow is day 37. You have 1,423 to go. I know you will do well, I have you in my prayers.
October 7, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Jamie,
I am glad that you are saying that there are more options than Mt. Juliet developing its own department, because the impression that I have gotten from what I heard at the meeting the other night was that a MJFD was the only real solution.
I am with Chris, too. I think a beefed up WEMA is the better choice, but the funding to beef it up should be equitable. But more funding to WEMA isn’t the end of the day, the funding must be sufficient to provide adequate and appropriate coverage for all of Wilson County. However, I think if you really learn the truth about the law, I think you will have to agree that there will have to be substantial changes to the law in order to make everything nice a legal.
I know you disagree with me in the interpretation of the laws regarding fire protection, but I have done as you asked me to the other night and it turns out that you are wrong. Not only have I done what you asked but I went steps further and it still turns out that you are wrong. Its okay, like I said, it is a poorly written law, hard to understand.
October 7, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Jamie,
Lebanon has absolutely nothing to do with Mt. Juliet. Lebanon makes its own decisions and Mt. Juliet makes its decisions. Sure, there needs to be inter-governmental cooperation, but Lebanon making the decision to continue to provide fire protection has nothing to do with what is right or wrong for Mt. Juliet. Your passion about not wanting to change LFD is wonderful, but this is not “just” a fire department issue, and it has nothing to do with Lebanon. At the end of the day, Jamie, this is all about whether or not Mt. Juliet is going to let the rest of the county dictate what we are going to do in Mt. Juliet. Last I checked, we have our own commission and they are elected by the people who live in Mt. Juliet and pay taxes in Mt. Juliet.
In another post you stated that something about me not knowing the gaps in coverage. I am not disputing that there are gaps in coverage. I also don’t think you are doing yourself any favors when you paint dire pictures that are possible, but not probable. There is no way that this city can cover all possible emergency situations. What we need is coverage that is at least adequate. Let’s focus on what is needed to give the city reasonably acceptable coverage. What ever that coverage turns out to be, that is what we need. However, I think we need to be realistic and rational in the approach to arrive at that plan.
I think that the problem with the CTAS/MTAS report, other than the fact that the county commission has not dealt with it, is that it doesn’t take fully into account the depth and breadth of the divide between east and west wilson county. We need a comprehensive solution to this problem that considers all aspects of the problems we face and not just fire protection. I have been saying that for a while now. I will give you an abstract example. You can’t be mean and nasty to my children, return a set of tools that you borrowed from me a year ago and never brought back, and expect everything to be a-ok with me. I am still pissed about the way that you continue to be nasty to my kids. We can solve the fire protection issues by building 12 fire departments in Mt. Juliet, buying 30 fire trucks, and hiring 120 fire fighters, but that won’t settle the rest of the issues, and in the end, we will have unnecessarily spent millions upon millions of dollars. The problem isn’t the fire department, the problem is the divide. The fire department is a symptom of the problem.
October 7, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Absolutely sir, absolutely. There are more ways to protect MJ than a MJFD. I have never felt that a MJFD was the only way. I do feel it has merit. I think we can agree that the MJ today is not the MJ those laws were written for. Certainly an area for further dialog. Certainly an opportunity for improvement. Do explain though, how I was wrong concerning the fire protection laws. If you want to do it here, ok, or you may come by Station 4 Fri. at Lakeview. Hope all is well with you and your family…Have a good night.
October 7, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Butch,
Paragraph 1: If MJ makes the gesture of writting a large check to WEMA for fire protection less than $3mm, Lebanon has in the past and will again make talk of getting shed its $3mm FD and writing a check to WEMA for the same. This is not conjecture, this happened and was in the print media Lebanon Democrat. Being a lifelong resident, my belief is the city should do for the city because it is in the best interest of the city and in no way be dictated to by another city.
Paragraph 2: The dire pictures I paint, Butch, are real and they happen every day. If you choose not to believe me, you have that option, but I can prove it to you any day you choose. I do not believe in radical scare tatics, I hope you believe that of me. These examples are very probable. Current coverage is not adequate after the first incident, period. I am realistic and rational, you be open and receptive. Come ride with me. You will see. The example I gave Kevin is very real. You have my word.
Paragraph 3: I agree with you on the study. I would rather die than be mean to your children. I have my own tools and I hope everything will be ok with us. You are right. There are many more issues to be addressed. This one is mine because I have so much of myself invested and share this desire with the finest of people for the benefit of the best city around. I want to know your issues and maybe help with some fire and desire . No pun intended. I do want to see these issues addressed to completion instead of talked flat off the table.
October 7, 2008 at 11:30 pm
“Lex,
if doing the job does not give me the understanding I need, then tell me your qualifications and what else I should know”
My insight into the fire issue has to do with many decades of paying taxes to Wilson County for fire service. I’m old.
I have no special interest to skew my take on this matter. If Mt. Juliet goes into the fire business it will not give my friends or me more or better jobs. My expertise has to do with being a long time objective West Wilson County taxpayer who wants his county elected officials to solve this county service problem. It’s their problem to solve.
If Wilson County stopped putting tires on School Buses I wouldn’t lobby Mt. Juliet officials to buy a tire store. I stand by that opinion but have never worked in a tire store.
Let me give you a few reasons why a Mt. Juliet Fire Department is not the solution:
1) 100 percent of Mt. Juliet homeowners are Wilson County taxpayers and this will cost the county more money. That’s right. The first thing the county will have to do is build another station to replace service to the area Mt. Juliet will not have to serve. The station behind City Hall belongs to Mt. Juliet. It presently services as many county residents as Mt. Juliet ones. That will add cost to the county taxpayer without adding any real benefit of service to anyone.
2) It will cost Lebanon residents more money. That’s right, because 100 percent of Lebanon homeowners are Wilson County taxpayers too.
3) There will be dispatching conflicts. Turf wars.
4) There will be mutual aid agreement conflicts. Turf wars.
5) Ambulance service could be divided with that revenue stream diverted from WEMA. Turf wars.
6) This will duplicate an already consolidated service.
The problem is that the county does not fund WEMA properly. I believe every resident should pay their fair share (and no more) for emergency services. If the funding of WEMA is done fair and equitably through fire tax districts there would be no cross-county jealousy.
I want to fix the problem not one or more of the symptoms.
October 8, 2008 at 12:25 am
Sir,
I thank you for the beneficial dialog. I am aware and understand each of the points you have made and respect your years of knowledge foundation. My special interest is the proper protection of you and your property. This has not skewed my insight. I have gained my views from doing the job. I hope you can respect that as I respect your years and wisdom. Age is not the only school of higher learning. We do agree that the buses need tires and the citizens need protection. Just some thoughts, finance it through sales tax not additional property tax as with the law enforcement. Dispatch conflicts do not have to occur, they can and are currently being properly mitigated between existing agencies. Mutual aid agreements do not give rise to conflicts…at least not at the operator level where it matters most. Ambulance service should be enhanced through WEMA not divided. The fire trucks of a proposed MJFD should be manned by BLS and ALS providers thus improving the time for critical care. Mutual aid is not duplication of service. Example: MJFD FF’s mitigate fire in city freeing up WEMA FF’s to continue coverage for county. I agree wholehearted with you on the funding of WEMA issue. However, fire tax districts are a bad idea. You do not have law enforcement tax districts. FF’s efforts are the same whether you live across the street or across town. You call, We haul. I also agree this is not the only issue. Again, thank you for the response. Best wishes.
October 8, 2008 at 1:47 am
P.S. to Chris,
concerning your comments on the S & S Industries fire… I am intrigued by your comments in that I did not see you on the scene. I was there for 15.5 hrs. Had the owner acknowledged the first activation of their fire alarm and allowed MJPD to dispatch the info to WEMA, a better outcome could have been expected. What we do at WEMA is work to preserve life AND property and our job requires acceptable levels of risk. Not one but two attempts at interior structure fire attack were made but were unsuccessful due to the delay in sending the original alarm. The bravery displayed that night should not be fodder for ambiguous and bland strokes of a Monday morning quarterback. I am not sure of the policies governing your version of firefighting, but we do agressive fire tactics in our service to the citizens of this county. Your statements are reckless and offensive. You should be ashamed.
October 8, 2008 at 5:48 am
Jamie, feel free to call me, but I will not be ashamed of my comments. If the alarm was not acknowledged by the owner, then it is on him. You’re right, you didn’t see me on the scene. I was at my fire hall, in another county, with no idea it had happened until later in the day after it had burnt to the ground. It was a property only scenario, with not one person in the building and was evidently fully involved or the interior attack might have helped. How many firefighters was the building worth? I want you to realize, I have the same background you do, and half of my district is in the county. Which half should I stand up for? Both.
I look forward to hearing from you, or if I have time, maybe I will see you on Friday if nothing else.
579-6068
October 8, 2008 at 7:24 am
Because the level of WEMA fire protection in West Wilson County is a symptom of a county funding problem, there is no reason to believe that Mt. Juliet can or should solve it by starting its own Fire Department.
I believe West Wilson County taxpayers are subsidizing the rest of the county right now funding WEMA. Why would the county be opposed to fire districts if West Wilson was underpaying?
If the WEMA funding inequity is not dealt with this problem will not go away. It will just rear its ugly head in a turf war somewhere else.
October 8, 2008 at 8:21 am
Jamie,
Please understand me, my issues are with the city of Mt. Juliet, they are not with the county. I have nothing against the county whatsoever right now. Every Squire from the county that I have dealt with has been very nice and cordial to me. I don’t know enough about where they stand on issues and I couldn’t even pick them out of a crowd. I have only spoken to them on the phone. I realize some of them can’t get passed the fact that Mt. Juliet doesn’t have a property tax or its own fire department, but beyond that, I have no opinion except that there seems to be an East West divide that is allowed to continue in the county chamber.
My problems, or concerns, have little to do with this issue except that the commission does little to bridge the gap between east and west, and in fact, Linda’s arrogance and condescension toward the county at times tends, in my opinion, to harm relations. She can act like she has a wonderful relationship with other Wilson County politicians, but even the people who serve with her on this commission can’t stand her. It even appears that Will is separating from her.
Jamie, my problems are not a part of this issue. The issue is that if we don’t cure the cause of this problem, which is the enmity between governments and citizens, we will be paying for a $3 million dollar band-aid every year. A Lebanon Fire department is a mistake in this day and age. They can make that mistake if they want to, but it is causing us more harm than good.
I believe my comment about the law was directed at Chris, not you. If I missed something I apologize. I don’t think you have said anything about the law, perhaps I am wrong.
October 8, 2008 at 9:07 am
Butch,
The law that you are writing about says “The county legislative body of any county having a population of NOT LESS than eighty thousand (80,000) NOR MORE than eighty-three thousand (83,000) according to the 1990 federal census or any subsequent federal census” but we didn’t have a population of 80k in 1990. It was 67,675. Our population in 200o according to census records was 88,809.
In other words, that special act was passed for another county, namely, Williamson. It has nothing whatsoever to do with us, but yet you refuse to understand the facts. Your argument the other night was that we have passed the 80k mark, and so it now applies to Wilson county as well. I refer you again to the part of the act that says, NOR MORE than 83k according to census records, and we have not ever had a federal census population of between 80k and 83k.
Go to the US census Bureau website and verify that for yourself. Please verify all of your facts before you mislead anyone such as what was done on Saturday night when you spoke about this.
October 8, 2008 at 9:32 am
Great dialogue out there about the fire protection.
One thing being a common theme in the responses is that none of the people who are making the long posts are municipal firefighters with the exception of Jamie. Most of you are strictly looking at the dollars and cents because you don’t have our perspective. Making posts about unifying the government are great, but they don’t have a solution attached. Getting elected officials to sit down and discuss something is the easy part, voting is another.
I respect the responses, but until you are sitting in the hall or simply doing a ride along and get the perspective of the members of WEMA you are not making educated responses. The comments Jamie are posting are all logical and giving his experience in the area should be grasped, not fought against. Chris, with you being a brother you should aleady know this, but when we get an structure fire in the middle of the night we have to always assume that people may be in there unless notified otherwise. S&S, for example, unless one of the WEMA brothers worked there part time, how do they know if they don’t have a midnight shift and having people working in there. Yes, its always a risk/benfit, but you have to verify no one is in there. Its been over 2.5 years since that fire, that was probably the biggest commercial fire in years, and still nothing has been done.
As Jamie and the rest of the brothers say, you are not seeing any slowing on the building are you? The facts that Jamie describes are REAL, they are not SCARE tactics!! The opinions he gives are what needs to happen here and I honestly believe most of the posts are from people who don’t understand the basics of fire operations, mutual aid, and manpower.
Here’s a question for Butch, Lex, and the other non-firefighters, “Whats is your definition of adequate fire protection”. Also, as part of the answer, how do you think WEMA is going to fund operations that meet your definition without additional funds from MJ?
Education is needed for the whole community and paint the real picture of the fire issue. Hopefully the Wilson Professionals benefit is the first step towards an extensive program. Jamie, Brent, Shawn, Chris and the others brothers have seen first hand the pain and suffering of residents. You can alway replace your property, but my family is not. .
Lastly, here’s a good video for you to watch. With this being Fire Safety Week which starts with the National Fall Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg, MD. This service honors all of our brothers that passed in the line of duty each year (avg over 100 firefighters a year). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeq5wfTgfEA
Let us pray that we don’t have to attend this service for one of our brothers at WEMA, while we continue to fight for better protection.
FTM-PTB-DTRT
October 8, 2008 at 11:00 am
Chris,
So you are a doctor now. Chris, I am doing fine. The reason I am so open about depression is because for too many years people have seen it as a weakness of character. People suffer in silence in shame when they really need to seek help. Depression is not a lack of strength, it is a physical dysfunction brought on typically, but not always, due to overwhelming circumstances and personal crisis. I don’t think you could quite understand what it is like to risk everything you have to pursue your dream, investing all the money you have in the world into the pursuit of your dream, investing 80 to 120 hours a week getting it off the ground and building momentum and structure, fighting high taxes that rob you of the lifeblood (money) you need to re-invest in your operation, deal with the snakes and wolves that want to steal everything you have, build your business to a point where its momentum is on a trajectory that would give you everything you ever wanted in life, only to have it stolen from you by the person you invested the most in. The momentum I built went on to be a $100+ million dollar business, but in someone else’s business and where someone else reaped the reward of all of my investment. Perhaps you can’t imagine what it is like to be abused and physically and emotionally be tormented (don’t draw conclusions about who was abusive or what the abuses were) when you are growing up and having no person of authority to stand up for you and make it stop. Perhaps you don’t know the struggles a person goes through when they are being shaped by God to be Christ-like in the way that they handle situations. Perhaps you don’t realize how hard it is not to take such severe situations into your own hands and deal with them yourself and the tremendous stress a person is under during times like that. So I will forgive you for trying to use such a very serious, dreadful, and sometimes deadly infliction as a means to further stir your brew of deception. I will forgive you, but you have to know that it further speaks of your character. You aren’t concerned about my health, you just know that if you were to make a public statement like “Butch needs to take his meds, knowing that I have in fact dealt with depression, it would make you look very bad, so you couch your comments as if you actually care.” I know where you got my e-mail address and I know what you stated in your text message. Of course, you knew that I would hear about it when you sent it.
Chris, my willingness to be public about having suffered a severe depression is to give hope to those who are in the deepest part of depression, where it is everything that they can do to hold on to life. It is to give hope to those people who are looking for a reason to live, Chris, not for people like you to misuse. There is life after depression. For those who are reading this post who are suffering depression, which accounts for probably 5% to 10% of you, and will probably one day account for another 5% or 10% of you, remember, life goes on and things get better. I wouldn’t wish depression on anyone, not even my worst enemy, but if you find yourself in depression, look around you and take assessment of what you are going through, in the deepest part of your depression, you will find a pearl, a great prize, that will help you through the rest of your life. Snatch from the jaws of that despair and destruction a great prize that provides you victory over your infliction. In the midst of my depression I saw the what I call the true love of God. I can’t explain it to you more than to say that it was the whitest, softest, brightest (without being blinding), most pure thing I have ever seen and/or imagined. I finally understood what the Love of Christ did for you and me, it is said many times that the Blood of Christ covers everything, but at that point I understood “how”, I can’t explain it, but I understand it. I won victory over my depression and God cleaned my heart of years and years of bitterness and hardness brought on by what people had done to me. I won, and you can too. Don’t let people like Chris Sorey, who will stoop to anything to get under someone’s skin, keep you from letting someone know that you are depressed and need help. You are not weak, you are suffering a bodily abnormality that is no less a bodily abnormality than cancer, but could quite possibly be more deadly. It is no laughing matter. There is victory over that disease, and if you learn from it, if you embrace what you are going through as just another part of your life, if you let it, it will cleanse you of things you never thought you could let go of. Depression is an event, it is not meant to be a lifestyle. Press on, don’t take up camp in there, that is not where you belong! Again and again people told me that I was in a great place when I was going through depression, (I am not sure that they ever went through a depression), but they were right on one level, God didn’t cause my depression, but he used it to make me whole again. I reconciled my past. I forgave everyone who ever did anything to me. I asked forgiveness from people who I had harmed, harmed usually in response to what they had done to me, even when they themselves were unrepentant. Man, the freedom that came from that is something I can’t explain. If you are in depression start forgiving other today! It gives you liberty!
I don’t need meds anymore, Chris, although I once did, as well as therapy. I am doing better than good. One of the things I learned that I need to do is to stand my ground. I for years allowed people to step on my boundaries. Rather than make a big deal about it, I would let them walk around in areas of my life that I would rather them stay out of. Then, it being the nature of some people to set up camp in another person’s boundaries, I would blow up with anger when they started pitching their tents. (Chris, I don’t expect you to understand all of this, I am not really talking to you anyway. You can actually go back to playing jacks.) I have learned to take a stand and not allow people to enter my boundaries uninvited. People like you don’t get to me anymore because I see you as you are. Your many personal attacks against me on this site are a testament to your character. Anyone who would like to investigate our exchanges will see that you started each exchange. You, and many others like you, would try to debate me on issues, and when you couldn’t win the debate, you would resort to personal attacks. Most of the time, I would continue to attack your position rather than attack you personally, but when I did attack back you always lost. Chris, you are the one who may need help. You seem to always want to dish it out, but you can’t take it.
I knew what I was doing when I made it public that I suffered a depression. I knew that you would eventually have some comment about it. Chris, I know what you are going to do before you know it. I have been dealing with shallow thinking people like you all my life. People like you are the reason all too many people die from depression through suicide because they are ashamed for being sick. I also know that you aren’t the last that will try to use it against me, to make it seem like I am weak. However, you have no idea the kind of courage it takes to be an open book with your life in order to help others. I hold back on what I write only as to protect the living who have harmed me and others who would be hurt if I told the whole truth, perhaps one day I will write it in a book, but only after those people are gone, not that I will use their names, but because, if I wrote it while they were alive, they would likely read about what they have done in a book and they would know that it was them that I was talking about. I don’t want to cause them pain, Chris, and the reason is that God showed me that the people who did bad things to me were merely reacting to the bad things that they had had done to them. This hurting thing goes back to Cain and Able. Many people have suffered in life much more than I have, and we all suffer in life, but as for me, I found myself in a perfect storm of hurt during times of my life that my heart couldn’t bear, so I built a shell around my heart to protect it. God broke away that shell early in my walk with Him, but the heart itself was still broken, and in the midst of the most difficult time of my life, at a time that was life or death, he made me whole again. What I thought was the end of me turned out to be the beginning! I am not a slave to my past anymore, I am not a victim of the pain, I am the victor through the working for the Holy Spirit. I can’t easily express to you the rewards I have received for standing strong during that time and not giving in. For those of you in depression, don’t see yourself as weak, see yourself as being challenged. You can make it through, and in the middle of your depression, when it is darkest and hardest, press on, don’t go back, on the other side is a life you couldn’t have imagined! Don’t let the Chris Soreys of this world, who would like to use your infliction against you, hold you back from your prize. I am amazed at the life that I have been given. It isn’t without challenges, but it is full of hope!
Thanks Chris, for giving me yet another platform from which I can reach out to help others. I can always count on you to be “you”.
What untruths have I ever said about Brydalski, or anyone else for that matter. Point them out and I will apologize to them! I have tried to be as honest as I can be.
Chris, I knew what I was writing would get under your skin. That’s why I did it. I knew it would provoke a response. I was provoking you because you were being deceptive. You say things on Radiofree that you should be ashamed of. You hide and throw stones rather than state your position and defend it. You don’t do what you do to make things fair and balanced, what you do is to stir the pot without taking a stand. When someone asks me who I am supporting for Mayor I don’t stutter, I say “Mack”. From that position everyone who reads my posts knows my bias, and they can take what I say in context, that way I am not being deceptive. You on the other hand support Ray for Commissioner and won’t admit it. You want to run your mouth “or fingers in this case”, but you are not honest enough or man enough to step out from the sidelines and allow people to know from whence you really come.
Chris, if you are going to joust, at least bring a pole…I will let you figure that one out on your own.
Chris, what you take for “anger” is a passionate pursuit of justice. I know you don’t get it, Chris, but the mayor of Mt. Juliet has used her elected position to cause great harm to others and she has gotten away with it up until now. The system is broken and needs to be fixed. You words are nothing more than an attempt to deflect the focus on the real issues. Mayor Elam needs to answer for her crimes. This isn’t about revenge, she really hasn’t done anything to me personally. This is about justice and reckoning. No matter how much good she may have done for this city, and I will admit there has been “some” good come from her, her misdeeds overshadow them by miles. The same holds true for your candidate for D1, Ray Justice.
On Oct 8, 2008, at 9:26 AM, chris wrote:
Have you ever seen me write anything on RFMJ in support of Ray for this election? Do you remember me standing up for Brydalski almost everyday when you were spewing your untruths all over the place? And then Deyo with his statements, and he didn’t even realize that everyone knew he was posting under multiple names. Then he acts as if he was the victim. Ridiculous. Do I need to make it any more clear?
You assume way to often, and honestly, that little illogical rant when I posted the other info on the mayoral candidates was about as far fetched as it could be. If that were the case, and Rob was wanting me to post the info on Kevin and his issues with the local party, it would make absolutely no sense for you to write that statement. I posted that so that it is fair and balanced. You act as if it helps to get the info out before the forum this week. It was in the friggin papers! It has been out since the Police went to the meeting and was written in the papers. No secret there, so why was it so good to have that out there before the forum??? It made no difference whatsoever.
I know you have written about your depression, and I am not trying to make a jab. I wrote this in an email so as not to make it public, but I have to question your status. Only you know if you need help or not, and then again, I have answered many calls where the person in question did not know. Your anger over the MJ situation has clouded you mind. Please, take a break form the grudges you hold and re-evaluate. The sun will come up on November 5th no matter who wins any seat, local state or federal. I am not happy with the current MJ administration, but you have taken your fight to an unhealthy level.
Feel free to send this to anyone you want. I don’t care what you do with it, but if you make it public, that is your decision. I decided to send this to you in an email rather than blast you on RFMJ. I am tired of the battles you start and most likely won’t respond to your comments any longer, unless it is misinformation and stirs people up such as when you misquote law, court cases, etc.
You have my number and email, but I will not argue with you in public formats any longer.
Chris
October 8, 2008 at 11:09 am
Chris, if you are right on this point it gets even worse for the current situation. I will let you figure out “how”. Let’s see if you can really read the law. If you study the law you will see that if that provision doesn’t apply to Wilson County it will be a game changer in Wilson County. The more I look at the law the more I realize that there is a game changer in there.
October 8, 2008 at 11:17 am
1 voice of the brotherhood:
first of all, adequate fire protection is not something I presume to be able to define. I am not sure you are qualified to make that decision either, even though you are a fire fighter. Years ago I was on a fire fighting team on my ship, that didn’t make me qualified to make any decisions regarding fire safety. There were people who knew way more than I about fire safety that were more qualified to make those decisions. But you are looking for a political solution to this issue, and if we are going to solve it politically you have to think like a politician and not a fire fighter. That is probably the biggest mistake those of you who are fighting this fight are making, you are not thinking “politically”. If you don’t want to think politically, then solve it privately, by developing a Mt. Juliet volunteer fire department and raising the money through private donations and keep it out of the government.
October 8, 2008 at 11:42 am
Thanks Butch. I had hoped you would be a good sport and post that.
Now, how about a response to the post on the law, and check the facts this time.
October 8, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Butch I would hope not since every sailor is taught be a firefighter and is on a team. Unless you were a DC
Politics are the route to every issue and that’s how the game is played. Firefighters know that better then average citizens sine we work in that world.
October 8, 2008 at 2:32 pm
1 voice of the Brotherhood;
I don’t know what you are talking about when you say that every sailor is taught to be a firefighter and is on a team. Sure, shipboard firefighting is everyone’s job, and everyone goes through some fire fighting training, but not everyone on my ship was on the fire team. Damage Control is what I am talking about, 1 voice. I am not talking about someone who went through fire fighting school in boot camp, hell, I didn’t even have fire fighting school in boot camp. I went to shipboard fire fighting school in Virginia and was on the ship’s fire fighting/damage control team. I really didn’t want to be to be honest with you, but I was assigned to it. It was a co-lateral position for me, not my NEC. I was a Fire Controlman, and if you know as much about the Navy as you seem to present yourself as knowing, you know that job has nothing to do with putting out fires. Irony in this story, isn’t it? But never-the-less, I had to respond to shipboard fire drills every duty day. Not everyone does that in the Navy. Otherwise my ship would have had hundreds of people responding to shipboard firefighting drills every day.
I can’t say that I remember a lot about it today, things slip away when you don’t use them. However, that training helped me when the fire house fire in Willoughby Station burned. I knew what to do before the fire fighters arrived and I knew what to do to help the fire fighters who arrived first. Once the rest of the team got there I got out of the way.
Shipboard fire fighting school helped me to get over my fear of fire. I was badly burned when I was a child and after that I was terribly afraid of fire. Going into the burning oil tank and having to put the fire out cured that fear.
I may have forgotten a lot of what I learned, but I know that fire protection is a serious issue. I do remember that much. I realize just how fast fires burn and can spread. I realize the dangers you guys go through when there is a fire and you have to respond. However, if you are going to play politics, you are going to have to get better at it. You are making a lot of headway at making this a burning issue (pun intended) during the election, but on November 5th, unless you elect the right people, and maybe even if you elect the right people, nothing is going to get done unless you play politics “right”.
Playing politics right means that you find a lasting solution to the real causes of the problem. Just like in fighting a fire, you have fire everywhere, but there are some places that are better to aim the water at than others, in politics, you have to aim where there will be the best results. I have to tell you, I don’t think you guys are doing that. I may be wrong, but that is my opinion. Keep trying it your way if you want, but in the end, I don’t thing you are going to put this fire out the way you are going about it. Even if you win the day on this issue, you better set a re-flash watch.
October 8, 2008 at 4:09 pm
1 Voice: Thank you. If being on the end of the pipe and attacking the seat of the fire or being in the back of the bus as someone’s loved one looks at you and ask you not to let them die does not qualify as expertise on this issue, then I resign myself to continue to do the job and keep the faith. These examples seem radical and dire to some on the outside looking in. They are not used to seeing the real world incidentsup close and personal. The 20 second story on the 5 o’clock news does not do justice to the entire hour(s) long ordeal. They nor the cameras are ever there to see this happens to us everyday. We are not the problem, we hold the world together while others seek a solution. It is unfortunate that those that can do something don’t for whatever reason. Whether they be too proud to accept the facts we have presented or some other reason. I resign myself from this fray. The stresses of the job have not jaded me nor will the frustration of trying to help those that can do. Some people that have posted here have a preconceived notion of what they believe to be true and right and will not entertain the thought of being open and receptive to what is real. This is the fire section of RFMJ and that is what I have posted on and am concerned with. I am open to help with other issues but this is where my knowledge is most extensive. I truly feel the slate needs to be cleaned, old laws and preconceived notions of taxes, districts, turf wars, and 100 other why we can’t reasons need to be removed. There is a need to do something for others to help them in times of trouble and pain. I will continue to do my part with a spirit of service on the job. I am a public servant, not a politician. No disrespect intended.
October 8, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Jamie, perhaps the last thing you said is the best thing you have said so far. There are old laws that have been written that need to be fixed. The law regarding fire protection is very poorly written, and is in fact written to serve a few at the risk of others.
And, no, Jamie, being on the end of the pipe or the back of the bus doesn’t “qualify” you to make a political decision. Sorry. It doesn’t even qualify you to make “fire department” decisions. I can man the end of the pipe, and you certainly wouldn’t want me to make the decisions for you regarding fire protection. I might be able to “help” make decisions, and I certainly could make “political” decisions, but you should know that there are different levels of decisions.
If I had an endless supply of money every home would be outfitted with sprinkler systems, fire retardant walls, ceilings and floors, and there would be emergency breathing devices in every bedroom, one for each person in the house plus more for guests. Each room would have fire extinguishers. Every second floor room would have folding ladders. We would build a bunker in the middle of town and several around the outside of town. I mean, if money is limitless, why not have all of the protection money can buy?
However, we don’t have limitless money, and there is a city and county to run. Running those involves more than fire protection, although fire protection is very, very important. This problem has been boiling for many years now, and it isn’t likely to be settled overnight. You are seeming to get irritated because you aren’t getting the kind of traction you want. Where does the current fire chief fit in with all of this? I haven’t heard a thing from the fire chief. Why? Are you guys out of line? I have heard from a few of you on Radiofree, and I saw a bunch of you at the meeting the other night, but I didn’t see the chief there, did I miss him?
We need the best solution to the problem with the money that is available. There may be 14 banks in Mt. Juliet, but that doesn’t mean that the citizens who live here “want” to spend money on their own fire department. I am not saying that “I” am not willing to spend money on one, I am saying that a politician needs to be concerned with what everyone wants.
Yes, you are in the field doing the job, but that doesn’t mean you get to call the shots. The closest thing I have to compare to what you do is my time in the Navy. So I will give you a parallel. I once had a radar malfunction, which required the radar techs to go aloft, which means climb up into the superstructure of the ship. We were steaming, (which means we were underway, moving through the ocean). Before we went aloft I noticed the stack gas (exhaust) was blowing right across our radar platform and the guys would be standing right there in the gas in order to fix the problem. I was concerned because the gas is deadly. I went all the way to the captain of the ship to try to get him to change course so the gas would no longer blow across the platform. He told me to have the guys put on dust masks and send them up, that he couldn’t change course. He heard me out, and he made a decision. I trusted him with my life, I knew he had heard me and he knew more about what I was doing than I did and he wouldn’t let me risk my life needlessly. I went up with the radar techs that day, in the stack gas, and made sure that everyone stayed safe. I would rather he let me make the decision myself, but it wasn’t my place to make that decision. He was infinitely more “qualified” to make that decision for the safety and welfare of the entire ship and the performance of our mission. To me, it seemed like a simple request, but I didn’t know the “rest of the story”. Was my life in danger? Yes. Would the dust mask “save our lives?” No. But they helped. We got the radar back up and running and everyone lived. But it could have turned out differently very easily. Nobody has said that they don’t appreciate what you do for the public. Nobody has said that there doesn’t need to be more equipment and personnel in Mt. Juliet. You have garnered some support from the public. This issue is top shelf in this election. But if you take the position of being snippy because we don’t fall in line with what you are asking for you will lose that public support just as fast as you have gained it. I am on your side, and I think most of the public are on your side, but you have to accept that not everyone is going to see this the way you see it. That doesn’t make them bad people, it may or may not make them wrong thinking people, but it doesn’t make them or me, bad people.
Please accept that I am on your side, Jamie, I want to see more fire protection in this city, but I want it to be the “right” set up and I want it to be set up in the “Right” way. I think I have backed up what I am saying by my actions. I am seeking the truth about fire protection service in Mt. Juliet, the whole truth.
I would suggest that you get the publicly stated support of the Fire Chief before you get to far down this road. I am concerned, but not hearing from him regarding this topic does peek my interests a bit.
October 8, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Butch,
Thank you for the dialog and let me say it has been a pleasure to meet you. Your passion and ability to research is commendable. While we may not see eye to eye on a path forward or what qualifies as qualifications, I do believe you have the best in mind for the city. As far as being “snippy”…not worth rebuttal. I have given my perspective here on this forum and I greatly appreciate the webmaster for this venue. You have my number for a bagel and cup of joe in the future.
October 8, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Jamie,
As you and I both know that is how we are. The brothers make due with what we have and still responded and go to work regardless of the living conditions and do that job because its a calling for most of us.
Butch,
Ok, I understand you have your opinion but trying to make out people who do this job while you sit back never doing it is funny. Being in the Navy as a DC compared to be a Municipal is apples to oranges. Please if you want to stick to the political group hug that greats, but don’t try to perceive yourslef and understanding the fire service. As the brothers will tell you, you don’t insult the brothers if you are outside the family. Thanks for the support in kind, but we are the one’s on the line that know how fire departments work and don’t work.
October 8, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Hey 1 Voice, Chris, and Jamie,
Why don’t you see if you can get the candidates together for a meet and greet (or maybe meet one at a time). That way you can see which one is full of gas and who really cares about your issues.
Seems like we have a huge situation regarding the fire protection and it would be good to see which candidate is in your corner. After all, these will be the guys working to correct the shortfalls and hopefully making us safer.
October 8, 2008 at 8:32 pm
I wonder how many of the “brotherhood of fire station lobbyists” actually live in the City of Mt. Juliet?
October 8, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Thank you again, 1 Voice. Keep the faith and keep the peace. You know as well as I do, we gain our pride from the humble calling. Our best efforts come when the heat is on, the load is heavy, and the way is uphill. No worries. The information from my knowledge and experience has been presented and I am grateful for the opportunity. Until the existance of a problem is fully acknowledged and believed, no credible, effective solution will be sought after or achieved. Butch is right, not everyone will share my views. I am ok with that. My intentions were honest and NOT motivated by the desire for personal gain. In a way, I am very glad they think it bizarre and somewhat unbelievable what I and you see on a regular basis. They do not need to know. Best wishes and prayers to you and yours.
October 8, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Looking: We did last week at a chilli cook-off. The story is in the current edition of The Mt. Juliet Chronicle. What you don’t read about is how “Sweet Natty’s Engine 6 Firehouse Chilli No.2″ by Josh’s Dad totally dominated the chilli competition.
Lex: I do. Others do. What weight does that lend to the issue? Our desire is to be able to adequately take care of your family as well as our own.
October 8, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Amen, bro.. FTM-PTB-KTF-DTRT
Actually Lex there no absolutes on how many actually live in MJ. With us being so close to many other towns I’m sure a bunch of brothers work for departments outside WEMA and call MJ home.
October 8, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Jamie, I thought that chili cook off was for firemen only. Did any candidates show up to be heard?
October 8, 2008 at 9:20 pm
It does make a difference to this Mt. Juliet resident when non-citizens attempt to influence our political process.
Be honest, how many of you guys really live inside the city limits of Mt. Juliet?
October 8, 2008 at 9:46 pm
1 voice of the brotherhood,
You are right, Municipal Fire Fighting and shipboard firefighting are two entirely separate issues. I never said they weren’t. I am not making out that I am one of you. I never “wanted” to be on a fire fighting team, they assigned it to me. I took the job seriously even though I wasn’t please to have been assigned to it. That doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate what you do, it just means my heart wasn’t in that job.
However, if you want to see what shipboard fire fighting can be like, look up a video on the U.S. Forestal fire. The difference between what you do and what shipboard firefighters do is they put the fire out or their ship can sink. When is the last time you had 3,000+ people who depend on you putting a fire out? You make out that shipboard fire fighting isn’t serious business. Obviously, you don’t know much about shipboard fire fighting.
October 8, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Looking: It was sponsored by the Wilson County Firefighters Asso. Anyone could attend to my knowledge. Heck, they let Butch in without ID. (just kiddin’ Brother Butch) Bradshaw, Mack, Marlowe, and Elam spoke and took questions as well as State Rep candidates. Good story on page 12 MJ Chronicle free at there location just east of Burger King on Lebanon Rd.
Lex: For my part, I have lived in Mt. Juliet for 44yrs. You will find me in the city, in the book. Windtree Trace just above Rice’s Ham Store. And for the record, my intentions, as stated, are not intended to influence your political process. I man a post with the purpose and desire to provide for you and your family the best in loss prevention and emergency medical care. If, in calling to your attention the need for additional resources to improve the current inadequacies brought on by econimc/residential growth, this causes political turmoil, then sir, I suggest you consult with those representing you in public office. This was never my intent.
October 8, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Thank you for your service Mr. Luffman. I mean no disrespect. You have just as much right to your political opinions as I do to have mine. We are residents. Forgive me for being paranoid about outside influence in Mt. Juliet politics but that has always been this city’s biggest problem.
I do voice my opinions to elected officials.
October 8, 2008 at 11:05 pm
You are very welcome Mr. Luther. None taken. Being a lifelong resident, your worry is well understood. My belief is MJ is at a size now where it can have its own influence. The city has outgrown some of its elected officials. It needs public servants that can identify and address in a timely manner major issues that effect the whole not just the parts. Best wishes and prayers, sir.
October 8, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Jamie, I agree. The city HAS outgrown some of it’s elected officials (if not all). Hopefully, this election coming up will bring in a new hope that the city can turn around and develop into something it should have been for a long time now. It is time for our town to be all that it can be…with new bodies at the wheel. Let’s see if some of this talk can turn into action.
October 9, 2008 at 12:24 am
More walkin’, less talkin’. Wish we had some customer service cards (besides our one ballot every 4 yrs) we could fill out. Have a good night, Looking.
October 9, 2008 at 8:50 am
To the fire fighters who fight fires in Mt. Juliet, whether you live here or not, I say again, thank you for your service. I understand Lex’s point, there are a lot of people who live outside Mt. Juliet who try to influence the politics of this city, for better or for worse, and it has been said that the vast majority of those who are involved in the Mt. Juliet fire department debate live outside the city limits. That doesn’t mean that they are not right, but it does mean that their residency should be considered.
A suggestion to all of the fire fighters: Go back and read through all of these posts. The impression that I am getting is that there are you guys, and then there is the rest of us. For instance, take 1 Voice’s last post. Rather condescending isn’t it (as are some of the other things that I have read on here)? You guys have a brotherhood, and that’s fine. I wasn’t trying to be a part of your “brotherhood Family”, I was responding to 1 Voice’s constant belittling of my experience with this issue. The point I was making by bringing up the fact that I have been through fire fighting training and served on a fire fighting team was that I realize how dangerous what you do is, and also that I am not the ordinary citizen who has no clue what it takes to actually fight fires. I realize that the “brotherhood” is part of the attraction that brings you to fire fighting. I get that. God Bless you for what you do and who you are. But you are entering into the world of politics, seemingly without your chief. That can’t be good. I understand some aspects of brotherhood, but I also understand organizational behavior. When a group of people who are supposed to be a part of a cohesive group, with command and control, and with discipline, begin to take action outside that command and control, it raises eyebrows…at least it raises mine. The question becomes, if this is so important, why is the Fire Chief not leading this charge?
Hint: “when you have a citizen who is willing to help you (if we ever get on the same page) with the local politicians, you don’t try to tear them down, you build them up” I am used to people trying to tear me down, however, if you want to go this alone just say so and I will back away. However, if you want a citizen’s support in this, don’t belittle their connections, if you do, they will never gain any credibility, and credibility is what they will need in order to gain any traction themselves. Now that I have had to write this on a blog (I tried several times to get you to see that this is political, not personal) it is going to be even harder to build any level of credibility. This is an issue that will be settled by the next administration in Mt. Juliet…if you don’t blow all of your credibility by being isolationists and trying to force a fire department on Mt. Juliet.
See, to politicians, you are insiders in the fire debate. To them, you have a personal agenda in all of this. When you say, “Mt Juliet needs its own fire department, (without the support of your chief, and without a comprehensive plan) they hear, wouldn’t it be nice if Mt. Juliet had its own fire department? They hear “I would ‘like’ to have a new department”. You even strengthen that perception and argument when you act like its you and then the rest of us. You need citizens to help build your case, but you project the image that somehow, when it comes to this issue, we are less than you. Please keep in mind, whatever solution we come to in all of this, we are the ones who have to pay for the service that is provided and we are the ones that are dependent on it. We have a right to have a voice in the debate whether or not we man a pipe.
If you get any real traction in this effort, you will need your chief onboard and you will need citizens onboard. How in the hell are you going to get citizens onboard if you don’t change the tone of this thread?
If somehow I frustrate you, I apologize for your frustration. Am I not allowed to gather information and facts? Am I not allowed to assemble information and develop my own perceptions? I am sorry, buy I got the very distinct impression at the meeting last weekend that the majority of those who showed up at that meeting (Fire fighters that is), took the position that the only solution to the fire department issue was for Mt. Juliet to develop is own department. I am not sold on that position yet. I have a right to my opinion since I am one of the many people who are going to pay for the solution and who will have to live with, or die from, the decisions that are made. I am not looking for the quick fix, although we need that too, but rather I am looking to see if I can influence the effort toward a solution to the causes that brought us to this place.
I am not working “against you”, but rather, if your aim is to provide adequate fire protection to the city of Mt. Juliet, I am working to “help” you. But I am not going to just jump on the “Mt. Juliet Fire Department Bandwagon”. None of the arguments that I have heard so far have convinced me that a Mt. Juliet Fire Department is the “best” solution. It may turn out that it is the only solution, but before I posted my solution had you ever considered the other side of the equation regarding what would happen over time as the city grew to its boundaries? How is the county going to cover its territory that lay inside the twenty year growth plan of the city of Mt. Juliet until it is annexed? I heard some of you saying that you don’t want to put a band-aid on this issue. If you don’t account for the unincorporated areas of the city, and the annexation thereof, you are putting a band-aid on it. If you don’t consider how the city will develop a fire protection plan inside the city as it is annexing property you have again put a band-aid on the problem. This is more complicated than just deciding one day that it would be a good idea for Mt. Juliet to build its own fire department and then rushing off to try to get us to buy-in to your plan. Even if you get past the idea that we would be paying twice for the same service, you have to have a comprehensive plan of attack for the next 10, 20, and 30 years. If you can show the politicians that you are interested in what is fair, equitable, and doable, and if you can show them that you have a well thought-out, comprehensive plan that addresses the immediate, intermediate and long range needs for fire protection, and if you have citizen support, and if you have your chief’s support, then you have a chance of getting the “right” thing done. That is my goal, to help you get the right thing done! If you don’t want my help, then just say so and I will let you go it alone. But look around you…how many people, who are not in office, running for office, or connected in some form or fashion to the WEMA or LFD, are in the game on your side of this issue? Consider how many people are visiting this site, which is considerable, and consider how your comments of exclusion impact them. Early on in this thread, someone brought out an acronym that I found quite curious. It shed some light on how fire fighters view civilians and those in government and, actually, everyone who is not in the “brotherhood”. I have to tell you, it is disturbing to say the least. It speaks of your attitude toward us. I would encourage you to consider how that plays when you are now seeking support for a Mt. Juliet Fire Department.
You are not right about the way that you are going about this. Just saying “Mt. Juliet needs a fire department of its own” and developing scary, real or not, scenarios doesn’t accomplish what you should be looking for in all of this, which is the comprehensive, long-term, right solution to the problem. Go back and re-read my solution with an open mind, pick it apart, and tell me why it wouldn’t work. (Be prepared to debate your points) Perhaps we will both learn something. You are going to find it does more damage to your cause, and according to what I can gather from your posts, further endanger us due to lack of proper coverage, if you don’t stop trying to cram a fire department down the throat of Mt. Juliet. If you are going to pursue a long-range, comprehensive, right solution to the problem, I don’t think you will find it hard to get your chief working on this with you, I don’t think you will find it hard to get politicians working on this with you, and I don’t think it would be hard for you to get citizen support. Everyone wants to feel safe, nobody wants to be “sold”. If you try to force a wrong solution down our throats you are “selling” us on a position that our subconscious mind, as well as your conscious mind, are telling us is “wrong”. That, my friends, is a hard sell. Selling us on working toward a comprehensive solution while at the same time addressing the very immediate need, will likely get you a long way. Remember, this doesn’t have to be a straight out of the box solution, meaning “cookie cutter”. It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing solution. It can be a combination of mini-solutions that blend together to arrive at the right solution.
With all of that having been said, if from something I have said or done I have given you the impression that I feel connected to your brotherhood, or that I think I am one of you, I apologize. I am who I am, and you are who your are. I am simply trying to help arrive at the “right” solution.
October 10, 2008 at 7:43 am
More and more great dialogue.
Butch you make some good points. Just an FYI, I do understand what you are saying about the shipboard firefighting since I too was in the Navy. I was stationed aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
We all appreciate any help from the citizens to correct this issue since its so important. The firefighters who live in the community is small in number compared to the over 25,000 who call MJ home and can’t get the work out alone.
October 12, 2008 at 7:13 am
Just to add: The scenario I spoke of in earlier posts and at the chilli cook-off occurred once again this past Friday night. House fire on Vanderbilt Rd. MJ”s coverage from Lebanon and Watertown 10/10/08 @2250 till 10/11/08 @ 0230. House heavily damaged but still standing. All mitigation efforts safe and effective. At 2 times during the incident sub-set crews were called away to mitigate other calls. (cp/sob & mva with extrication) Hats off to all involved, excellent job. It is extremely difficult to switch gears from firefighting to medical and then to rescue in a matter of a few minutes. These souls are blessed and ready to rise to the challenge. Thank you.
October 12, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Thanks for the update brother. How many personnel were on scene for the fire on Vandy
Here’s a good video about fire protections. It makes some very good points and a lot of education about what the fire service is and isn’t. Hope you all can get something out of it
Stay safe out their.. FTM, PTB, DTRT, EGH
http://community.fireengineering.com/video/video/show?id=1219672%3AVideo%3A8003
October 12, 2008 at 5:00 pm
There were 10 personnel actively fighting fire, 1 battalion chief, 1 fire chief, 1 logistics, and 2 volunteers performing rehab. Excellent response, effective knock down, and complete mitigation to salvage and overhaul. Have a safe night to all.
October 12, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Jamie,
How does it work for the volunteers getting called out? I’ve heard you mention that you are a volunteer for WEMA and there is a Volunteer Division I understand. How many are part of it and what the difference between the WEMA CERT and the Volunteer Division?
If there was only 10 on scene with 2 Volunteers they must not be called out on a regular basis or toned out at all? I know more about the paid side of the fence, so to say, then the volunteers out here.
Thanks again for all you do brothers
October 12, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Also Jamie, who is the logistics person for WEMA? I guess I come from a different world since the departments I know only use a logistics person for large scale incidents not the standard run of the mill fires, also do they have a safety officer/accountability on every fire?
I”m still learning the ops side of WEMA. I know the county has a manpower issue, but didn’t know if WEMA has a safety officer, rit teams, etc.. that are required, due to the short amount of manpower
October 12, 2008 at 9:00 pm
The house that burned on Vanderbilt Road belongs to my dentist, Mike Atchley.
October 13, 2008 at 12:21 am
Jamie Luffman,
Obviously, the best thing we should do, is back off. I haven’t posted here in a while, and after catching up, I see why. Come on friend,… ebay or something… bid on a boat… I say we take up fishing and turn off the scanners, radios, and for sure the computer. Imagine the gas money we could save, not to mention the extra time with our families. See smoke??? No, me neither…
The idea of concerned public safety personnel who are also city and county citizens working to solve the problem JUST FOR PERSONAL GAIN is sickening. I am surprised and hurt that anyone has this opinion. I am thankful, or was, that other people who had no background in fire, etc. were with us on this. Even more of a slap in the face, is the fact that in the midst of giving TRUE stories or scenarios about situations that have occurred in our community, when our people have risen above the challenges to serve our community, we are potentially being called liars. To think, that we would create a fictional event of such magnitude just to get the attention of the government officials is ?… I have lost words for that… Don’t believe what you heard?… buy a scanner… No, I tell you, just nevermind to those who posted these things. Your opinions that were once considered to be very valuable and educational, are not even valid to me anymore. Thanks for your time, but when you question the credibiity of the persons who will risk their lives to protect yours, I have no time for that. Just one or two people out of thousands… I believe it is time to get away from those opinions in order to keep a good opinion of the people who actually appreciate us. True colors… I was told plenty, thought I would trust my own info though and not judge a book by it’s cover. Some books are apparently only a few pages long.
October 13, 2008 at 6:26 am
1 Voice: The volunteers usually respond before there is a need to tone out. We call it “squirrel” and myself and others do it quite often. Many times, we are just needed for support (ie. roll hose, air bottle change, etc.) other large scale events require call out, but thankfully those are few and far between. I am a volunteer, but I also work part-time. The logistics I spoke of was the tanker operator involved in water shuttle ops and air bottle replentishment.
Bobby: Please pass along my concerns for his loss. Have him call me if I can be of service. My church, West Hills Baptist, has an avenue of help available if he wishes. We have a little tornado named Anna Kay that would love the opportunity to organize for his benefit.
October 13, 2008 at 6:48 am
Brent,
I agree. It has been a eye opening education to say the least. There are those that want to make this political and have it resolved in the political process, I can’t. There is too much of my heart and desire involved to religate it to a system that though it is the best we got, it is flawed. I understand there is not another way. I brought forth the information as real and true as I could. When someone not on the line questions that, I look at it as a good thing…that they do not see what you and I see. They certainly have the right. If I didn’t see it, I might not believe it either. Like I said before, the cameras are not there, and the 20 sec. news flash does not do the incident justice. So, that being said, I will take your advice. You are a good man Brent, I am proud to know you.
October 15, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Fellas,
I listened to your fire chief at the commission meeting Monday night, he doesn’t seem to be as alarmed or concerned about Mt. Juliet’s need for its own fire department as you guys are. He had the perfect opportunity in that meeting to state so if that is how he felt. Will Sellers gave him opportunity after opportunity to make that statement, and it never happened. He even indicated that there were more pressing needs here than a ladder truck. It seems that “people”, “able bodies” is what is needed here more than anything. Mt. Juliet is in the process of equipping and training 10 volunteers, can you give me an idea of how much more you think will be needed?
October 16, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Butch,
One figure that is normally used when determining the amount of manpower by NFPA is 1.3 Firefighter/per 1,000 residents. It is similar to how PD comes up with how much staff is needed for proper police protection.
Granted this is just a formula that is normally utilized, but doesn’t take into effect the type of structures or community make-up.
So, i.e. if you looked at MJ with our current population just in the city, it would be 21 Firefighters.
October 16, 2008 at 10:32 pm
How many do we have?
October 17, 2008 at 6:17 am
You have 23 covering the county today.
October 17, 2008 at 9:05 am
1 voice of the Brotherhood: Wouldn’t the number be 32.5? We have 25,000+ in Mt. Juliet. If you multiply that by 1.3 doesn’t it come to 32.5?
I have to agree that there is either a very, very serious shortfall of fire fighters in this city and county or the manpower figure is very, very skewed.
It appears that Wilson County has over 100,000 people in it, which using that above multiplier of 1.3 fire fighters per thousand would mean that the county should have at least 130 fire fighters in it…and we have 23? However, if you were to assume that the 23 is adequate coverage and work your way back it would appear that Mt. Juliet only needs about 6 fire fighters. Here is how I get that number. If the county has exactly 100,000 people in it, it has more, and the city only has 25,000 people in it (it has a little more) that means that one quarter of the people who live in the county also live in Mt. Juliet. So, if 23 fire fighters is adequate coverage for the county as a whole, then one quarter of that number would be 6. However, if you were to that type of equation by square miles it would come to a different number. We have roughly 600 square miles in the entire county and Mt. Juliet encompasses roughly 20 of them. That means we Mt. Julians occupy 1/30th of the total land mass of Wilson County. That means we need less than one person to cover the needs of Mt. Juliet. It would appear that the number of fire fighters needed to adequately cover Mt. Juliet falls somewhere between less than 1 and 32.5.
How many do we have in the city? Obviously, if we only have 23 in the entire county either we have a serious shortfall throughout the county or we need to use different numbers for Mt. Juliet.
Fellas, there is a saying that I like to use that goes “if you don’t know where you’re going, anyplace will do”. I see the fire issue as being nothing but a political football right now. One of the reasons I believe it is a political football is because you guys don’t have a central leader in your cause. It should be the Chief. He is either the right man for the job or he isn’t. If he is, then why isn’t he out in front of you? If he isn’t, then why isn’t there a move to get rid of him? I don’t know what the truth is, you guys live inside your brotherhood, so how can we know what is really going on? I don’t doubt your chief’s ability, not at all, so far I have had no reason to doubt him. But from what I can see, your efforts are being used right now as nothing but a political football. In fact, you are making it political with all that you are doing. You have to have a central leader that everyone gets behind if you want to have real and lasting change. The second thing you need is a comprehensive plan that is backed up with facts and data. That plan has to be doable, meaning that we can afford it. It has to be simple, so even I could understand it. It has to be what is in the interests of John Q. Public, not Rusty the Fireman. It has to be one that protects the public as well as our fire fighters, but it doesn’t need to be based on what makes you comfortable, it has to be based on what makes the citizens secure. Your plan should take care of the needs of today “and” the needs of tomorrow in a graduated growth plane or phased in approach. Your plan has to address the many concerns that come into play, such as how Lebanon fits in or how it doesn’t, how things will evolve as we annex more and more territory around Mt. Juliet. It has to take into consideration the type of buildings that will be built in each area. It has to take into account the types and amounts of products and materials that will be stored and staged in each area and how long they will be here. It has to take into account land use plans and projected growth in certain areas of the city and the county. It has to take into account projected and anticipated roads and thoroughfares. The key to saving money on things like this while still accomplishing the mission is to plan properly. Simply looking at this as Mt. Juliet having a few more people in it today who will fight fires or Mt. Juliet having its own fire department won’t really get us what we need.
The only way to really fix the problem is by being true professionals about it and developing a comprehensive, all encompassing, cohesive, strategic and tactical plan, that everyone buys into and agrees with, and will support, that provides at least minimum adequate coverage for all areas of the county. I said this from the beginning of all of this discussion, not quite as detailed, but I did say it, and I am still saying it. If you are going to go after this, do it right. Wilson County is said to have a very unique fire protection system in Tennessee, shouldn’t we set the example rather than just be unique? Either WIlson County is on the right path for fire protection with this county wide system or we aren’t. However, if we are on the right path we should make sure that we are the best. Why not? Why shouldn’t we be the best? We have the second highest income in the state, so that shouldn’t hold us back. We have the flexibility in how we can provide fire protection, so that shouldn’t hold us back. Why don’t we have the best system for fire protection in the state? What exactly is holding us back? Or should I say “who exactly is holding us back”? Fellas, if there are bigger problems that we are not being told about we can’t fix them. If you guys are protecting someone who should be exposed you are putting all of us at risk. Are there other politics being played out behind the scenes that we don’t know about? Are there other interests here that are coming into play? The role of government is to do for us what we can’t do for ourselves, is government doing things for us that we can do for ourselves and not doing things for us that we can’t do for ourselves because they spent the money on other things?
What is the root cause of our problems here? Until you address the root cause of why we don’t have adequate coverage and facilities, practically everything you do from that point will be less than perfect or less than acceptable. Remember, “if you don’t know where you are going, anyplace will do”. You have to have a plan.
October 17, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Butch,
I don’t know how I got 21,, mistypes as usual.
Currently there is 12 Firefighters, with 4 per shift (2 on the ambulance, 2 on the engine).
That would be 23 per shift w/3 shifts equals 69 Firefighters (I can add). Then you would have to add the number of Firefighters in both Lebanon and Watertown, which I don’t know how many they have. Any way you slice it the manpower is understaffed for the population covered regardless of where you look.
Your right in a sense that you would look at the Chief to lead such an effort, but when you have 4 different governments with 2 Chiefs (LFD with Chief Dowell and WEMA/Watertown with Chief Jewell he’s the chief of both) getting adequate dialogue that is going to make everyone happy is hard. But you have to start somewhere.
October 18, 2008 at 7:24 am
1 voice:
At this point, I think that the discussion needs to remain with WEMA and its manpower strength because the county taxes all of us the same, regardless of whether we live in unincorporated or incorporated areas and the county is using the county-wide option of fire protection with inter-local agreements (at least with Mt. Juliet) in the incorporated areas.
So, from my point of view, it appears that we are staffed with 69 people. Could an additional 150 to 200 fire fighters working on a volunteer basis and directly under the control of the WEMA chief cover what is needed to adequately staff WEMA? I believe we would be able to find a lot of volunteers if the county really sought them out. Maybe we need to add another 31 paid and perhaps another 50 volunteers. Maybe that would fix it. All I am saying is that numbers and facts bring the picture into clearer view. You have to be able to see the ball to have a decent change of hitting it.
From what you wrote above, it appears that Chief Jewell is the Chief of WEMA. He would be the person that needs to spearhead this issue. Would you share with me why we haven’t heard from him? I heard him speaking to the commission last Monday and he had ample opportunity to address the need for a fire department in Mt. Juliet and he didn’t. He must not feel that would be the appropriate answer or he would certainly have used that opportunity to address our commission…or at least I would hope he would have. He seems to think that we need manpower here, and equipment, but he stopped short of saying anything that would lead me to believe he felt our own fire department was appropriate or necessary.
I believe that the county should do what it is legally authorized to do in this fire protection issue, and I think the citizens should hold the county accountable for doing what is right for the county as a whole, whatever that is, and if the cities need to contribute to the effort, either through volunteerism or extra finances or the purchase of equipment or what-have-you, then as long as it is equitable we need to do that. However, I believe if you are going to tackle something, you go all in and do it right. We need the right solution, a solution that is developed by a broad base of people having input. Whatever solution must encompass all of the needs, conditions, concerns, and probable changes of the county and of the cities involved.
I think that anyone would want this to end up being fair.
October 31, 2008 at 11:29 am
Chris Sorey,
When you get the opportunity and the time is convenient, please call me.
Home: 754-5807
Cell: 566-7571
Pager: 276-2544
Thank you in advance and have a great weekend.
November 12, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Sorey is being investigated by the TBI for his looking into this. MJPD requested the payback, ooops, I mean investigation into Sorey.
November 12, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Why? What happened?
November 12, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Why are they going after Mr. Sorey for doing the right thing. They should be ashamed of their self. Isn’t there any justice at all?
November 12, 2008 at 7:26 pm
I have not had the opportunity to read that article yet. However, I find this whole thing to be quite interesting. The city is looking for something that they can hammer Sorey for in retaliation for his being involved in bringing such an issue to the attention of the public. I find that ironic considering that the city has a lawsuit against it for retaliation. They couldn’t have done anything more damaging to their case than to publicly retaliate against Sorey. However, if Sorey did abuse his privileges as an officer of the law by checking backgrounds on people then he should have to face the music for what he has done. Maybe this is why Sorey was so concerned about what I posted about some named Chris Sorey looking into my background…who knows.
November 14, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I just got to thinking about something today and I want to bring it to the attention of the public. Where I grew up, fire departments were referred to as “Fire Halls”. The Fire Halls seemed to all have some things in common with each other. One thing they had in common was that they all had dance hall/reception rooms above them or connected to them that the fire department could rent to different organizations. They were great for wedding receptions/dances/meetings etc. You could set up catered affairs if you wanted to hire a caterer or you could take care of food yourself. They had fundraising gambling nights at the fire halls and they ran bingo as well. In addition to all of that, once each year each fire district would have a fire man’s carnival to raise funds.
Why couldn’t we do some version of this to help raise funds to offset the costs of a fire department here in Mt. Juliet? I know, I know, someone is going to say something like “bingo and gambling are illegal in Tennessee”. To that I say: “They are currently illegal if they are illegal, but that doesn’t mean that things couldn’t be changed”. But what of the other possibilities? Couldn’t we do those things?
November 25, 2008 at 9:43 am
Butch,
Just was reading your post from the 14th. This is true that in the past they did utilize fire halls for both purposes (similar to K of C halls).
Actually it is still used a lot in the north in states like New York and Penn, that still run mostly volunteeer department. I think the reason you don’t see it much anymore though is due to the liability issues. In the lawsuit-happy state we live in now its risky.
Like you said anything possible. I just think a plan for the future of fire services in Mt. Juliet needs to be put together by some type of committee that looks at what would be best for the community, not this group or that group. Of course funding will have to be in that discussion as well. I believe also this type of committee needs to be made up of Mt. Juliet residents and not just a consultant from MTAS.
November 25, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I don’t disagree with your assertion that a committee should be put together, and that it should be made up of citizens of the city and not just consultants from MTAS, but I do believe that the Chief should be a major contributor to the discussions and formation of ideas and ideals.
It may be risky to have something like I mentioned, but so is having a fair and we do that every year, in fact, it is the biggest in the state from what I hear. We could have carnivals here, and we could have halls like I mentioned, it would just have to be insured properly.
Perhaps it is time to think outside the box a little and find new and innovative ways to fund things without having to resort to taxation for everything. The more we can do for ourselves the less power the government has, and that is always a good thing (except national defense).
December 18, 2008 at 3:40 pm
The Mt. Juliet News has a couple articles on fire protection that you would do well to read. Laurie Everett has done an good job in digging up some interesting information, however, I would caution you to take that information with a grain of salt. My impression is that Laurie is a proponent of raising the property tax rate in Mt. Juliet, and it appears as though she is using fire protection as a justification for such an increase. She is right, in my opinion, that this city does need better fire protection, however, she seems to slant her editorial toward the need for the city to pay for the increase in fire protection rather than dealing with the inadequacy of fire protection on a county level. Mt. Juliet isn’t the only area of the county in need of an increase in protection, in fact, there are areas of the county that don’t even have a fire department at all. The fire protection issue is a county issue, not a city issue.
December 18, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Just a question, isn’t an editorial supposed to be the opinion of the editor??
December 18, 2008 at 8:45 pm
An emotional response to the fire issue could actually make the problem worse. There are three false assumptions the local media continues to promote.
One, every fire at a home with a 37122 zip code is referred to as a fire in Mt. Juliet. Readers unfamiliar with the municipal boundaries of the city are left to assume every fire is in the city limits. There are only 20 square miles of Mt. Juliet but another 90 square miles of 37122 west of 109. Most of these fires are actually occurring outside Mt. Juliet city limits. The media could describe the homes as “just outside Mt. Juliet in Wilson County” – but they never do.
Two, It is insinuated that fire service would improve for every home with a 37122 zip code if Mt. Juliet would just start its own fire department. But service to that 90 square mile area west of 109 will stay the same or could possibly become worse.
Three, duplicating existing fire service in Mt. Juliet will somehow reduce the cost of fire service in Lebanon and Wilson County. The exact opposite is true. Wilson County will have to invest in at least one more station in West Wilson County to replace the loss of the Mt. Juliet station.
Throwing more taxpayer money at a problem without improving service is not a solution at all.
December 20, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I just visited the city website and read Mr. Robertson’s little blog. I am constantly amazed at his arrogance and his obstinate behavior! He appears to be trying to blame the messenger. He is questioning the “motives” of the whistleblower! Who cares what the whistleblower’s motive was?!!!! What was important was the Chris Sorey tried to get Robertson to take this problem seriously, and Robertson refused! Chris tried to get the Board of Commissioners to take this problem seriously, and they too refused!!! He drug them out in the media, and still they largely ignored the problem!!! Chris didn’t let up until they were finally taking the problem seriously. Robertson is now offering the excuse that its sometimes hard to tell the difference between a 1/2″ sheet of drywall and a 5/8″ sheet of drywall! I’m sorry folks, but that dog just won’t hunt. Anyone who has been involved in construction for any length of time could eyeball a sheet of drywall and immediately tell you if it is 1/2″ or 5/8″. Robertson goes on to talk about how the county doesn’t have fire codes. So what? Does the fact that the county doesn’t have fire codes somehow absolve the city from not enforcing its own codes? Either the code that was adopted has a sound reasoning to it, and therefore should be adhered to, or the city should repeal or amend that code, but until they do, the city is obligated to enforce the codes.
Most people wouldn’t have known that their home wasn’t up to code if Chris hadn’t broken this story. How many of us would give up the 10 or 15 extra minutes of time that the extra 1/8th inch of drywall would provide if that was what was supposed to be installed? Regardless of what was done before, regardless of what is done in the future, if homes were supposed to be built with a certain type of drywall and they weren’t then the problem needs to be solved. Let’s not forget that the estimates for those houses were likely developed with the more expensive 5/8″ rather than the 1/2″ drywall on the materials list. I bet the homeowner was charged for the 5/8″, why shouldn’t they get the 5/8″? You say that the people who brought this story out cost builders. How? Because they were held to a standard they should have met when they built the home? Or could it be that they wasted money buying off someone and ended up having to go back and fix the problem? I mean, how exactly did he cost “them” money, Mr. Robertson? Aren’t you just running off at the mouth? The builder cost themselves money, Randy. The city leadership and public works cost the citizens money, Randy. And you are costing us dignity by refusing to simply except that there was a problem! If only you would have listened from the beginning there wouldn’t be such a media problem, Randy. How about this, how about a sincere, heartfelt, honest to God apology to Chris and to the public for your having been so stiff-necked when Chris tried to inform you of the problem? I have experienced your stubbornness first hand, Mr. Robertson. I told you that you have major errors in your budget and you ignored me, or blamed the errors on the prior administration. Turned out that the errors were your errors and I had to actually write an official complaint against you to get you to take me seriously. Chris tried to talk to you about this and you refused to listen. You are the reason this was a media parade!
Was his motive pure? I simply don’t care what his motive was, he gave them a chance to fix it without all the publicity and they refused…that’s what I care about. Randy blames those who brought this story forward for wasting taxpayer money! Randy, let me get this right, your on record as having said that it was a waste of money to fix the error that your staff made? Randy, would it have been a waste of time if your wife burned in a fire in one of those homes? Suppose she was asleep above the garage in one of those homes and it caught fire. Suppose she would need just one of the 10 to 15 extra minutes that drywall would have provided, but because the proper drywall wasn’t installed, she didn’t have that one minute, would it have been a waste of money to fix this problem then? Obviously, someone saw it as beneficial to install 5/8 inch drywall above those garages, so either we have the wrong people making decisions or 5/8″ should have been installed!
You even went on to blame the builder, stating that it is their responsibility to ensure codes are met. Randy, let’s shut down building inspections altogether then! I mean, if we are going to have a codes inspector out there on the site inspecting homes the very least they could do is actually inspect homes, wouldn’t you agree?
Randy Robertson, you are unbelievable! How about taking some time to look at the man in the mirror! You’ll find that you are looking at a large part of the problem in this city. Nobody had a bone to pick with you when you came to this town. It’s not your fault that Linda illegally pushed Rob Shearer out of office, we knew that then and we know that now, but you have put yourself in her camp (at least until she gets wind of the latest news on the street). You are not helping things, you are getting in the way. How dare you play the role of protector of this commission from the public! I think you have forgotten your place…you ultimately work for the public, Mr. Robertson! The public at large was very concerned about what was coming out in the news regarding fire codes. Turned out Chris was right. Hell, even if he was 1/2 right about what he was bringing forth he deserves credit for being willing to stand in the gap. Of course, Randy, you wouldn’t be able to tell if he was 1/2 right or 5/8ths right, would you?!!!!
I am certain I can raise the funds to send you back to Ashland, Kentucky, perhaps they would invite you back with open arms!
That you would use a public website for such rubbish is detestable. The fact that the commission allows it is deplorable. Instead of indulging your dribble they should reprimand you for your inane behavior! You sir, are out of line!
December 21, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Another question.
Does the city have a fire code that it follows? Does the county or the city have any type of fire inspector? From what I read from most posts on here is that fire protection in MJ is the county’s responsiblity since its has a fire contract for all fire department activities, if that’s true then shouldn’t it be the counties responsibility to enforce fire codes?
Another questions.. if the county will not give the residents more fire trucks since the town has exploded.. who is supposed to bring it to us? All I keep reading from the posts is that its the county’s responsibility, but if someone dies here in a house fire, who do I blame MJ or County, because we should have had more?
December 21, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Mr. Huber:
It looks like we are beginning to see a part of the big picture. Speaking of the firewalls; another thought was brought up that “If” there were a house fire on a home that was built during the time frame the city states was under code; and “If” they were inspected and given the ok for a family to move in; they were naturally insured by homeowners; then “If” they were built against the plans of the construction then, don’t you agree that when an investigation of the cause of burn was determined; the insurance company could not pay the claim because it was not built to code? If so, that means alot of houses would be up in smoke with no money to replenish… Thats a scary thought. It could happen, and it could be a disaster.
December 21, 2008 at 9:05 pm
New to MJ,
The answer to your question of “Whom to blame” is…the county. The county is under contract to provide fire protection to the city. If the county doesn’t provide adequate service then the county is to blame. I guess they would come back and say that part of the contract is that the city provide volunteers, however, “we” are citizens of the county just as much as we are citizens of the city, the county shouldn’t ignore its obligation to us, their constituents, because they have a tiff with the city leaders. We pay our taxes to the county, the least the county could do is give us the level of service we are paying for, Right?
Madi,
I believe I spoke to my insurance agent regarding whether or not a homeowner would be covered under those circumstances. If I remember correctly he said that my policy would still cover me even if the home wasn’t built to code. Perhaps other companies would handle it differently.
The problems with those homes can be fixed…the lack of integrity on the part of the city is another thing entirely. It’s hard to put integrity back once you lost it…not impossible, but difficult. The city manager is blaming Chris Sorey and the builders for this problem with inspections. Sure the builders shouldn’t have made the mistake in the first place, but we don’t pay taxes to builders to ensure they comply with codes, we pay the city taxes to run herd on builders. The inspection issue is a city issue, not a Chris Sorey issue or a builder issue. Lack of responsible leaders is the problems in this city. Too many people with power trying to get their way in such a small little city is the problem. We are breeding monsters and then we wonder why we have so many problems. Its time for citizens to take a stand.
December 22, 2008 at 7:26 am
Then would you suggest everyone contact their County Commissioner to complain about the level of fire protection we are paying for and not getting?
Maybe we could get the County Commissioner district map posted so people know who to call
December 22, 2008 at 8:16 am
Here is a link to some county information:
http://www.wilsoncountytn.com/commission.htm
December 30, 2008 at 8:56 pm
New to MJ,
Welcome to MJ, it is really a great place to live. In response to “who is to blame”, you can blame both the county and the city. Both the county and the city are aware of the lack of fire protection in the city and west Wilson county. Both sides are pointing the finger at the other and saying it is their fault. The citizens of MJ are caught in a tug of war between the two comissions.
January 6, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Good Mt. Juliet news
http://www.wsmv.com/news/18416144/detail.html
January 7, 2009 at 4:14 pm
This fire protection issue has gotten pretty absurd. I suppose house fires in Watertown will soon be blamed on Mt. Juliet too. Two employees out sick at the station on 109 North is now Mt. Juliet’s fault?
It appears the bias local media is no longer content just blaming every 37122-address house fire on Mt. Juliet. They are extending the blame to Mt. Juliet for employee absentee problems at fire stations with different zip codes! Maybe the brush fires in California are somehow related too. Perhaps even global warming!
For those new to town please be aware that this issue is much more about the press forcing Mt. Juliet into a property tax than it is about fire protection. The fourth branch of government in Wilson County (Lebanon Democrat) also owns the Mt. Juliet News. The constant media slant is to recreate Mt. Juliet in the image of Lebanon. I like Lebanon but one is enough.
If duplicating services is now such a great idea why did the Lebanon Democrat once endorse Metropolitan Government for Wilson County? And why did that idea go away so quickly when Mt. Juliet’s population exceeded Lebanon’s?
And why is Wilson County government given a complete pass for providing inadequate service anywhere in Wilson County? After all, the county receives exactly the same amount of sale tax revenue from the retail in Mt. Juliet that the City of Mt. Juliet does. And the county receives 100% of the property tax. Wake up folks…
January 7, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I agree Lex, WEMA’s lack of pay (yes, they are underpaid) and need for more equipment/employees issues should be taken up with Wilson County who receives property taxes from all of us. We all have property taxes paid to Wilson County although I am willing to bet that Mt. Juliet/Lebanon pay more of the percentage due to high home values.
Lebanon should not be required to have their own department either. Mt. Juliet having their own department in the end will be a bad thing for the rest of Wilson County because then Mt. Juliet and Lebanon will be on the same side of the arguement. With both cities combining their power they will be more likely to get a percentage of funds back from their property taxes to cover fire protection which will lessen what is available for other Wilson County residents.
January 7, 2009 at 10:12 pm
http://members7.boardhost.com/wilsonema/
Good information for everyone!
January 7, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Good information for everyone!!!
January 8, 2009 at 7:51 am
Lori,
Actually Lebanon isn’t required to have a fire department. Their department has been in existance for well over a 100 years and they chose to continue the department back when WEMA was formed and took over as the primary response agency for the county in the 80’s.
I agree with your points with regards to the property tax and that is true that a great majority of the funds do come from the incorporated towns of Wilson County. The issue is though that the WEMA agency is responsible for coverage for the whole county as a whole, except the area covered by Lebanon Fire and Watertown VFD. The only way you can justify spending more money i.e. Mt. Juliet is by this fire district tax option if you continue with WEMA, unless Mt. Juliet contributed to the WEMA general fund outside of their current funding stream. Is it fair that we pay a large chunk of tax and don’t get more focus with more equipment and staffing no, but its also not fair that someone who lives in a distant part of the county who also pays their property tax but has to wait 20 minutes plus for an ambulance. If you review the WEMA MTAS study listed at the top you will see my point on that one.
With this issue you are never going to come to complete even ground, regardless of the plan. If you as a resident want more protection, you are going to have to pay more in the form of taxes. I would suggest you get the word out to other Mt. Juliet residents to attend the Mt. Juliet Fire Protection Meeting on Jan. 29th at City Hall. This will be the best fo