Riley appoints ally to head council panel that oversees fire departmentThe Post and Courier
Originally published 05:19 p.m., June 5, 2008
Updated 06:00 p.m., June 5, 2008 Read Riley's remarksRead what Mayor Joe Riley had to say during his speech Thursday night. Charleston Mayor Joe Riley has tapped Yvonne Evans, one of his staunchest supporters, to head City Council’s Public Safety Committee, a long-dormant panel that suddenly finds itself in the center of a raging debate over shaping change in the fire department. Video
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley briefly talks about his televised address at 6 o’clock tonight that will update the community on the status of changes in the fire department. Watch » Riley has sparred with some City Council members in recent weeks over council’s role in helping to rebuild the fire department in the wake of last year’s Sofa Super Store tragedy. The debate came to a head Monday night when Councilman Jimmy Gallant resigned from the Public Safety Committee in protest after Riley scuttled a planned meeting to discuss controversial promotions and transfers in the Fire Department. Gallant’s departure eliminated a vocal challenger from the committee and left Riley with an open seat to fill. The mayor wasted little time in appointing Evans to chair the committee. She has served on council for nearly 20 years and is currently vice chair of the committee. Louis Waring, another Riley ally, was appointed to replace Evans as vice chairman. The mayor appointed freshman Councilman Aubrey Alexander to fill the open seat. Riley and Councilwoman Kathleen Wilson round out the panel. Riley is expected to address the changes during a televised address at 6 o’clock tonight to update the community on the status of changes in the fire department as the one-year anniversary approaches. Alexander said he is too new to know exactly how the committee will operate in the future. Personnel matters such as transfers are outside of the committee’s domain, he said, but there are likely other ways the panel can take positive steps. Overall, he intends to make sure that the city follows through on the recommendations put forth by the city-appointed panel of experts that studied the sofa store blaze and the fire department. “We’ve got a 300-page report. Let’s not close it and put it on a shelf,” Alexander said. “Let’s use it to fix that department. It’s what everyone wants.” Evans has said she supports the position that the committee has only narrow authority on matters related to the fire department. Giving council members a larger role in city personnel matters would be dangerous because employees in the fire and police departments should never have to wonder whether their jobs are influenced by political agendas, she said. “It’s a sensitive issue because you don’t want to politicize public safety. There should never be a question.” The fire department, which lost nine firefighters in the June 18 blaze, is undergoing a sweeping transformation of its equipment, tactics and operations in response to recommendations from the city-appointed panel of consultants. Riley’s speech is expected to touch on the department’s progress to date and the search for a new fire chief to replace outgoing Chief Rusty Thomas, who retires later this month. For some city firefighters, Thomas’ pending departure signals a symbolic shift in the department’s transformation from an aggressive, tradition-bound outfit to a more cautious, safety-oriented unit that makes protecting firefighters a top priority. But the relative calm that followed Thomas’ announcement was short-lived. In the waning days of his tenure, Thomas announced a flurry of promotions and transfers, renewing some of the hard feelings and controversy that have hounded the department for much of the past year. Some firefighters who were transferred said the abrupt moves were payback for having spoken out against Thomas or criticized the pace of their department’s efforts to embrace modern firefighting practices. Since the fire, Riley has periodically used live televised addresses to speak directly to citizens and offer his unfiltered interpretation of events and issues surrounding the tragedy. Often, these come just before or after times of turmoil or controversy. In September, for example, he appeared on television to highlight improvements to the fire department and its goal of becoming a national model. The speech came two days before state workplace safety officials handed down fines and violations against the city for safety lapses at the sofa store fire. This week’s speech comes on the heels of Monday’s contentious meeting over promotions and transfers in the department. Concerns over the timing of the personnel moves prompted Gallant to call a special meeting of the Public Safety Committee to discuss the moves. But that gathering on Monday quickly devolved into a heated exchange over whether Gallant had followed proper procedure in calling the meeting. Riley said the meeting was illegal. Gallant accused Riley and city attorneys of making up rules on the fly in an attempt to stifle debate over the controversial transfers and promotions. Gallant resigned from the committee in protest but said he intends to remain a voice for firefighters. Riley has staunchly defended the nearly 50 promotions and transfers as necessary and fair. And he has rebuffed attempts by Gallant and others to meddle in the fire department’s personnel issues. Read more in tomorrow’s editions of The Post and Courier. |
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Comments
This article has 24 comment(s)
Posted by lowcountrylover on June 5, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SO KING JOE IS GOING TO TELL US EVERYTHING?????? I DONT THINK SO. ITS GOING TO BE ANOTHER CYA SPEECH!
Posted by Thomas1776 on June 5, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
More lies by Riley. Just plain and simply, more twisted truth and lies.
Go away Riley. Nobody believes you anymore.
Posted by CedarPosts on June 5, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I understand it's going to be carried on the Comedy Central Network as the Curmudgeon and Troll Network was already booked with Andy Rooney.
Which brings me to the Seven Dwarfs....
One day Snow White packed their lunch and saw the dwarfs off to their day job at the mine.
Later that day tragedy struck and the mine collapsed. Snow White ran to the entrance of the mine fearing the worse.
Through the dust and darkness she called out to the Seven Dwarfs ... "HELLO" "HELLO IS EVERYONE OK?".... nothing but silence she called again... minutes passed until she heard a faint voice yelling...
VOTE FOR JOE RILEY! VOTE FOR JOE RILEY!...
Snow White was overjoyed and exclaimed "THANK GOD AT LEAST DOPEY IS STILL ALIVE!"
More on Mayor Joe and the Wilson vs. Jennings for Solicitor Pole at:
www.cedarposts.blogspot.com
Posted by BillMan on June 5, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow,
Gallant's ploy must have really taken some skin off his back, interesting to find out what Riley comes up with!
Posted by ThePhink on June 5, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
UH OH.
Posted by GM on June 5, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe he will tell us he has a case of rectal cranial inversion and give his resignation!
Posted by Thomas1776 on June 5, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CedarPosts,
Love it! LMAO!
Watching Riley lie and try to spin the truth on TV is like watching Pinocchio. All I do is shake my head, bust a few laughs, then flip the channel.
The neurotic is nailed to the cross of his fiction.
Posted by jrobinson on June 5, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who cares? I never understand what he says anyway. I think more focus should be put on why Goldstien was allowed to operate a store and pass safety inspections in a building that was never safe. What is his relationship to Geecie Joe? Are they buddies? Just curious. Does anybody know?
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on June 5, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It like Pinocchio but instead of a growing nose its those bushy ass eyebrows.
Posted by dr_fed on June 5, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe he will resign and it will be a great day for Charleston
Posted by GM on June 5, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
elisabetta
Is what legal?
Posted by a_set_love on June 5, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe the Citadel is trying to recall his ring. They are probably ashamed he gaduated from there.
Posted by Eyes_N_Skies on June 5, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd rather hearrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Randyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Scotttttttttttttttttttttt lieeeeeeeeeeeeee than Riley lieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Tammie on June 5, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Riley's speech is going to sound like the teacher on the Charlie Brown cartoons.
Posted by CedarPosts on June 5, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wahhh wahhh waaaa waahh wahh waaaaaaaaa.... WHAAAA!
Posted by Tammie on June 5, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Exactly CedarPosts!
Posted by CedarPosts on June 5, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the whole Riley thing is water under the bridge. Just fix the Fire Department and stop talking about it and don't kill any more firemen!
Posted by bravecharleston9myspace on June 5, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I THINK I AM GOING TO PUKE !!!!!!
RIGHT ABOUT THE TIME HE SPEAKS!!!!!
Posted by BillMan on June 5, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Riley appoints his ally as head of the council, what a surprise!!! Rubber stamp is all!
Posted by a_set_love on June 5, 2008 at 5:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Riley has now proceeded to stifle all dissent against his tyrannical reign of terror. The story told by Mr. Riley at his news conference was totally unconvincing. The only choice left now is a complete and total change of government style.
Posted by a_set_love on June 5, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The people who live in the City of Charleston are now totally at the mercy of Mr. Riley. The only person with authority to check on Mr. Rileys actions, according to Mr. Riley, is Mr. Riley.
The cost of installing a fire sprinkler system was made impossibly expensive by a vote of Mr. Riley and other Commissioners of Public Works of the City of Charleston.
This seems to have been an attempt to bleed money from local businesses. Strange though when the heat was on and Mr. Riley said take off the fees, they vanished.
Will we wait until more people die, already lost nine, how many will it take to be too many.
How much longer can the City of Charleston afford this one man show.
Posted by UberBlitzkrieg on June 5, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)
King Joe doesn't even know his own city's history. He says Charleston was the first fire department in the country. He has said this many times over the past year.
He is way out of line with his information. Charleston is no where near the first fire department in the country.
Posted by a_set_love on June 5, 2008 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Famous American firsts ............
First Volunteer Fire Company in America In 1736 in Philadelphia, PA, Benjamin Franklin formed the first volunteer fire company, called the Union Fire Company. Franklin served on it as America’s first volunteer fire chief.
First Paid Fire Department in America A large fire in Boston in 1679, led to the organization of the first paid fire department in North America, if not the world. Boston selectman imported a fire engine from England and employed a fire chief, Thomas Atkins, and 12 fire fighters to operate it.
First Firehouse Pole David B. Kenyon, Captain of Engine Company No. 21 of the Chicago Fire Department, was the inventor of the sliding pole in 1878. Information from: A Synoptical History of the Chicago Fire Department published by the Benevolent Association of the Paid Fire Department of Chicago, Chicago, 1908. The recently built Fire Station No. 1 is also equipped with a pole. It is the fastest and safest way from the sleeping area to the fire engine, taking 26 seconds to go down the stairs to the fire engine vs. only 10 seconds by using the fire pole!
First Automatic Sprinkler The idea of automatic sprinkler protection dates back to about 1860. The first automatic sprinkler system parented in the United States was developed by Philip W. Pratt in 1872 in Abington, MA. From 1852 to 1885, perforated pipe systems were used extensively in textile mills throughout New England, and from 1874 to 1878 Henry S. Parmalee of New Haven, Connecticut, continued design improvements on his invention: the first practical automatic sprinkler head.
Gee, Mr. Riley, I always thought Citadel grads were honest and Knowledgeable, you slipped in the back door?
Posted by UberBlitzkrieg on June 5, 2008 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
www.firehistory.org