ZipLine: There are some people that will ask a question and when they do not get the answer they want they will ask again and again and again. There is no point to answer with logic. And, elections should be in the budget as they are calendared events.

just more lies.
Please show the world where I made those statements, you can’t because I never said any such thing.

Really? You really want to go there?

Sir you should seek out a form of communication in which your words are not documented and stored for review. This writing things down is not serving you well.

You have posted five derogatory comments about the union and union representation at Elk Creek in this conversation thread alone. If any of these comments have slipped your mind, scroll up and read your own words.

Let me be clear that I am not a big fan of unions. I believe that in many cases the unions have strangled the golden goose, forcing manufacturing and service companies off shore, and costing American jobs.

Those are the unions where people are paid far more than is proper for performing a mundane job. That is not what we have at Elk Creek.

You pay the plumber who comes out to clear your toilet at least three times as much per hour as a career firefighter – emergency medical technician earns at Elk Creek. And these guys (and gals) save lives.

So when you talk badly about the union at Elk Creek, you are not attacking some faceless organization. This is the tiny, eight person firefighters union. These are real people, proud members of this community.

When you attack the Elk Creek firefighter's union, you are attacking our firefighters, and that’s when I get upset.

These are the same men and women who risked their lives on the North Fork fire. The same organization that watches over this district 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. And you have the nerve to talk about how terrible these people are and how bad their organization is.

Shame on you sir. You should be ashamed of yourself.

I was curious so I looked at all the previous posts and I found exactly ZERO I would say are "derogatory" comments about the union. At worst, there were comments suggesting other candidates were supported by the union (which is true). That is not derogatory - he just has OPINIONS different from your OPINIONS and in my OPINION your comments are a LOT more derogatory than anything Mr. Grady has said. Remember YOUR posts are "stored for review" too.

As for saving money by not having an election - do we really want all local elections uncontested? That doesn't serve anyone well. It is sad to see so many local elections cancelled because so few people are interested in serving for their community. All 3 of these candidates have their good points and I'm glad ALL 3 are running, even if I may have a preference for only two. If you think "they are all the same" then I'm sure you wouldn't mind Mr. Grady and another of my choice to be declared winners so we can save money? I didn't think so.

Couldn't find a single one? Really? Try these:

Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 11:09 am Post subject:
Greg Branch is a recent appointee to the board. He was selected by the pro union advocates on the board.

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:35 am Post subject:
That is exactly one of the reasons I am running. The newest board member was appointed by the pro union members of the board itself. I think it’s high time we get a board member from outside the good old boys club. While the union is claiming they are not pushing for an all paid staff one can read the tea leaves, it won’t be all at once.

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 4:30 pm Post subject:
You do know that the president of the board is a FF union rep and lobbyist?

Agreed money is tight, which is why I am running, Why is the IAFF so interested in our current and past our local elections?

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: What is the truth??
Is not the president of the board a Union Rep?

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:04 pm Post subject: Re: concerns about GradyQuote:
More untruths, I never made that statement. What I said was, there are possibly some services that the department is paying for that can be done by volunteers.

I requested a transcript of the meeting. What you said, and I quote, was "We may have to look at some volunteers where we've got some paid folks". So, my question is: What paid folks would you replace with volunteers?

Firefighters are not unions and unions are not firefighters. They are separate. If the super 8 assimilate to only being recognized as "the union" than I am very concerned about their ability to think on their feet. To think outside the box and own an idea when they need to.'

There were many many firefighters "risking" their lives on the North Fork Fire and the majority of the first responders (during the blow up) were volunteer.

So that being said, let's get back to this election stuff.

I am not really sure what this 30,000 fee is for a walk in election is for, but Elk Creek has nothing on the website, there weren't any polling signs, I can't seem to find the info. So I called Jeffco and they told me who the election official is; which I think the district lawyer. So if the lawyer is election official is that why it cost 30k? Seems like in past elections there have been election officials that were volunteers or the office lady. Would that save some money?

The Elk Creek Fire Department was contacted and the response received from them regarding the cost of the election was that $34,000 was set aside in the budget to cover the cost of the election, but they do not know at this time how much the election will cost.

I believe that there are attorney's fees, ballot printing costs, etc. involved in this, etc., so the cost cannot be determined yet.

TillerBee started a new thread as they didn't know about the upcoming election either and postings from an inquiry to both the State and the Elk Creek Chief can be found on the new thread. It is worth taking a look at. The info can be found under: Why no notification for the ECFP election

I have stated before and will say it again. We CANNOT get grady on the board at elk creek. He also seems to back on what he says and HAS many times suggested of getting rid of paid firefighter. He said in front of many people at a board meeting in PUBLIC, that a good way for Elk Creek to save money is to get rid of the paid members of the fire department. All he is ever concerned about is our fiscal spending, saving money, and pushing for more volunteers. He wants to find other ways to get the department money by throwing fundraisers and having bake sales so they can lower taxes? I don't really see how that is any different then the two. How exactly is that going to be helpful and isn't something they aren't already doing right now? How can we rely only on volunteers when most of them are not medics nor emt. How can all the medic calls be handled without PAYING for the volunteer's to go to EMT school and even then they wouldn't be able to constantly be on call. Why does the department need to start saving money and cut back taxes? When they aren't bad to begin with? How exactly will fundraising be the answer when there is already fundraising that happen currently? To me it seems his whole campaign is to save himself money and to not be grateful for the many things the firefighters do for him. The current firefighters we have now are barely paid livable wages and I can't imagine why we would complain about it....

bleubirds, you are not helping your 'side' when you ramble and distort things - makes me want to vote for grady - just 'cause I don't trust you anymore - I want facts - not twisted garbage - for example - throwing fundraisers and bake sales? I bet 'bake sales' is your phrase used to negate 'fundraisers' - and don't discount 'fundraisers' - MRC, IMHS, and others pull in tens of thousands of dollars that way (don't distort what I'm saying, I'm NOT saying that's the only way to fund a fire dept - but why not use it to HELP - it's also a great way to get public support and I wouldn't be surprised if that's what grady is thinking too)

Bottom line is, we need a board that will support our chief. That's why I'm voting for Greg Branch and Alec Schwartz. That's why I'm telling all my friends and neighbors to vote for Branch and Schwartz.

My understanding is that all three support our new chief.

wildgoose you seem to be distorting what I am saying. There already is fundraisers in place like selling elk creek hot sauce, garage sales, and other things that the department puts on. I am not rambling these are questions that have been asked and no answers seem to follow. I have NO problem with fundraising at all, I personally love them. I just don't see how that is a main reason to cut taxes back by saying we should throw more fundraisers in lieu of taxes. I wasn't the one to bring up bake sales as Grady himself stated using bake sales to get Elk creek money.