Both Sides of the City of Dallas's "Billion-Dollar Lawsuit" State Their Case

• Wendy, This suit has been going on for over 15 years, what does that say about the City and their stance on the pay issue??? And at this point the Chiefs have nothing to do with it, the City sets the pay scale. Also, I am wondering what should "the rank and file" have done?? What would you do ?? Mad at the rank and file?? For what???

• Mick, Feliz Navidad also. So the Chiefs: ignore this pay disparity, grope their own females and don't even come along to piss on the blazes ? The solution to your problem is simple - let the buildings burn. Do it enough times and you will get what you want.

• Wendy, I am sorry for not wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas on this Christmas Eve. Mick :)

• Oh Dear Wendy, What question should I answer??? The law suit is about pay-scale being out of line to what was voted in by the citizens. I have no problem with the Chiefs making more money. But the vote that was passed by referendum in 1979 stated that the pay scale between the ranks would be a consistent percentage. Example: First rank made is "Driver position" would be 5% more than a "Private" and "Lt." position 5% more than "Driver" 10% more than a "Private" and so on. But, the problem was Chief making exceptionally more than rank and file good o buddy system. The suit is a result of the City of Dallas not abiding by what the voters of Dallas had voted for. When the privates made the City aware of the problem it was ignored. This is the City of Dallas not abiding by a vote of the people. Hope this clears up some of the questions and points you say I have avoided. The rank and file continue to "step up to the fire and answer the call" and we always will. Also, look at the Leadership now 2 known affairs a lawsuit by some of the females on the Dept. big article in D magazine. Wick referred to it as Top Leadership and a vote of the citizens of Dallas as verbal placation. Come on Wendy??

• Mick - Stop blaming others and step up to the fire. You somehow avoid these questions and points: Fire Chiefs were once "rank and file" These same Fire Chiefs now demand a higher ration of their pay versus your pay. These same Fire Chiefs are in charge of your evaluations and your pay hikes - which would include lobbying for your rate hikes. So - which is incorrect: The opinions Fire Chiefs of themselves, or their opinions of your performance and resultant wage? As I said, step up to the fire and answer the call - it is indeed a 5 alarm fire. Wendy

• Sorry about the rant, I was in a hurry to get to a CHRISTMAS party and did not have time to re-read what I had written. All, I would like to express to the citizens is that we "as a whole Firefighters/Paramedics" are sold out to the citizens of Dallas. If your house is on fire all the FF's that arrive, will be doing everything possible to save your property and you. Hopefully you and your family are out of danger. But if not we bury up and try to come and get you/// everyday 24 hours a day 7 days a week holidays included usually in 3-4 minutes(I have missed a many of Santa Claus mornings and thanksgiving turkey with my 2 girls. But I have had great meals (often interrupted)with my brothers and sisters at the station (our house) And that Wick is just one example of the small sacrafice's we do daily. And we as firefighters/Paramedics understand the frustrations about us 1. we are good looking 2.we love to cook 3. chicks dig us and the list goes on and on,.... just kidding a joke lighten up,,,, the real gripes about us I feel is why do we hold up traffic? I know live with lower back pain daily but still do the job I love it and I want to help when I can. Safety is the reason. why for us, if we are hurt we can't help your loved one that is involved in the wreck .. inconvenience yes but safer. The City refused to hold up their end of the bargain not only to us but to the thousands of citizens that voted the thing end. Try to vote to close the Libraries and see the sh## storm Thanks Mick a needful rank and file doing the job with a smile

• I am one of the rank and file....'96 exposure blood in eye from drunk chick fell off of motorcycle, year of blood tests thank God negative. I have had a total of 3 reported exposures and a year for each of hoping nothing would come of it, and hoping not expose my children or wife. But young children shot, and your busting your A@@ to save in the back of the ambulance covered with blood on your arms not covered by the gloves, you just wash real well and pray. Get back to the station and change your blood soaked clothes and go on. So, Wick you can take that "my own interests and stick it in your A@@ as you sit in your office and judge something you know absolutely nothing about. Thats the ambulance side of it, grab your briefcase and bury up in a snot sligging house fire with people trapped. Oh, one more thing 2004 18 wheeler hit the back of the fire engine I was on and was off 3 months to heal and counting 7 steroid injections in my back and 6 injections to each shoulder. Good luck Wick

• @aaron....please show me where I once even implied that officers and fire fighters are loyal to the city. They should be loyal to themselves and each other...their agreement with a city is all business and there is no loyalty in business. And because this is a business arrangement they should hold the city's feet to the fire when the city does not honor it's agreements.

• c'mon your rant is way off base the rank and file sign up for these jobs knowing what it entails and don't act as if the fire fighters and police officers are all loyal to the city.As a cop once told me people are loyal to themselves and that includes public servants. So don't go all bleeding heart about public servants. Oh and by the way that's not the real Wick.

• Wick....you are kidding right? "consider the City before their own interests"...this is the same city that never misses a chance to piss all over them, right? Ever read the comments from people in your city whenever there is a story about DPD? If you haven't....then take a moment to do so...then tell me why they should consider the city over their interests. This would be the same city that, if it suits their interests, has no problem firing an officer if the public calls for an officer's head even if what the officer did would not normally deserve a firing. You act as if the city is loyal to it's workers when this is far from the truth. The city demands loyalty to it but gives none in return. Also, can you tell me a time when the city took care of DPD over it's own interests? No..you can't and that is what this lawsuit is all about. The city made a promise and then decided to ignore it....what would have happened if the shoe was on the other foot? As to "not try to feed the perpetually needful rank and file." who do you think goes after the bad guys? Picks up after your accidents? Tries to make your daughter feel better after she has been raped? Tries to find her killer? It is certainly not the top command you apparently hold in such regard...it could very easily be said that the hard working rank and file you despise so much are succesful in their pursuit of the scum that run around in your street despite the best efforts of the top command. Get a clue dude.

• We would hope that our civil servants consider the City before their own interests. Yes, there may be vague interpretations that more money is owed, but is that really in the best interest of the City? The 1979 referendum was really more of a verbal placation than it was a substantial action. The process must ensure that the Top command is adequately compensated, not try to feed the perpetually needful rank and file. -W

• A huge out of court settlement coming in the future. Dallas residents better open their pockets very wide to help pay off this stuff.

• Everyone who voted against stopping the toll road and the convention center hotel: how many of you remembered that we had this billion-dollar sword hanging over our collective head? 'Fess up. Later, the city will be checking voting records for a special assessment, but you can leave a check now at the mayor's office to cover your portion and avoid additional interest.

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