Sofa store fire report on holdRiley's announcement prompts criticism, suspicion The Post and Courier
Saturday, May 3, 2008
A widely anticipated investigative report of the events and circumstances that led to the deaths of nine Charleston firefighters at the Sofa Super Store will be delayed indefinitely while at least two federal agencies complete their probes of the blaze, Mayor Joe Riley said Friday. 
Tyrone Walker 'We have a responsibility to make sure it's as accurate and comprehensive as possible.'
But the head of the city-appointed panel conducting the investigation said his team's work is complete and it was prepared to deliver its findings to city officials next week as planned. The announcement immediately sparked criticism and concern that the city is attempting to stave off criticism of the Fire Department's handling of the fatal blaze. The report is expected to include a detailed narrative of the department's response to the fire, what firefighters did right and what they did wrong. "You don't lose nine men like this and turn around and keep delaying reports for one reason or another," said Randy Hutchinson, a former Charleston firefighter who lost his brother, Capt. William "Billy" Hutchinson, in the fire. "That's not right and that's not what the city said it would do." Last week, Riley issued a memo to City Council explaining that the report would be delivered within the first two weeks of May. But he said Friday that a new photo from the fire recently surfaced, causing city officials to question whether more time was needed to make sure there was "no stone unturned" in the probe. Firefighter CoverageIn our special section with photos, videos, interactives, donation information and every story written about the tragedy.The city reviewed its contracts with the panel, which stated that the group's investigation should "take into account" information from federal probes into the June 18 blaze. The city decided to wait until at least two of the probes are finished, Riley said. One of those investigations could take more than two months to complete. He said the city was concerned about the possibility that the panel's report would be seen as incomplete if subsequent federal reports showed different findings. "We have a responsibility to make sure it's as accurate and comprehensive as possible." Riley said the panel's report could be released over the summer, but he refused to commit to a definite timetable. The city sent out a press release announcing the decision at 6:48 p.m. Friday. Riley said city officials spoke with family members of the fallen earlier Friday and they signed off on the decision. He said the wishes of the families, though reinforcing, would not have made a difference in the city's decision to delay the report. He said the news wasn't released to the public earlier because he "had a busy day." Former Louisiana Fire Chief Gordon Routley, leader of the city-appointed panel of experts, said he saw no reason for delaying the report's release, but the decision is out of his hands. Routley said the panel has met regularly with the other agencies investigating the fire and that its report is informed by the work and findings of those agencies. He said he did not have any concerns that the panel's report could be contradicted or at odds with reports from those other agencies. "We were prepared to come out with a comprehensive report," he said. "But the city is the client. They are paying the bill." The city wants to wait on a report from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which is examining the factors that led to the firefighters' deaths. In addition, the National Institute of Standards and Technology is using a computer model to reconstruct the blaze to determine why the fire spread so rapidly, why the building quickly collapsed and whether sprinklers could have saved lives. Routley said the NIOSH report is probably about one month off. The NIST report could be as much as two or three months out, he said. Still, Routley said he believes his team has already incorporated in its report the information gathered by those agencies. The Routley panel's report originally had been expected as far back as December, and more recently it was anticipated by the end of April. The delay could intensify emotions among families, city firefighters and others who have been waiting nearly a year for answers about the deaths. Some questioned whether the delay was prompted by the city's desire to avoid bad publicity and finger-pointing as Charleston gears up for the Spoleto arts festival, its showcase tourism event. The one-year anniversary of the fire is also right around the corner, and the city has been working with families to host a solemn memorial to commemorate the tragedy. Hutchinson said he thinks the city is trying to avoid uncomfortable facts coming out just ahead of these events. "They don't want the facts out there because it will be really bad," he said. "It's going to show how the Fire Department has been poorly run all these years." Dorothy Baity, mother of fallen Engineer Brad Baity, said the wait is hard on the families, but there is nothing they can do about it. "I feel like the city is just buying time," she said. "We wish they would just go ahead and do all this and be done with it. It's just agonizing on the families." Ann Mulkey, mother of fallen firefighter Capt. Louis Mulkey, said the city notified her family of the delay but she was under the impression that they meant a delay of a couple weeks. When told the report could be months away, she said "I hope not. We've all waited long enough." "We are very disappointed," she said. "We were anxious to get the report out." Jay Lowry, a former Charleston firefighter who writes the Internet blog Firefighter Hourly, said news of the delay was devastating to people who had waited patiently for answers about the fire. He questioned why the city hadn't simply announced its intentions a month or two ago instead of building expectations with a planned release date. "Why allow it to get to this level?" he asked. "This was handled poorly. That's the bottom line. ... What are they afraid of?" Riley said the report will become a historical document that will be read by firefighters around the country for decades to come. Riley said he understands that some will accuse the city of attempting to delay the report to avoid criticism, but the city could not risk releasing such an important document prematurely. "Self-imposed deadlines are not relevant to the real task." Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com. Reach Ron Menchaca at rmenchaca@postandcourier.com or 937-5724. |
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Comments
This article has 71 comment(s)
Posted by CedarPosts on May 3, 2008 at 1:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I suppose this comes as no surprise.
"But the city is the client. They are paying the bill." - Former Louisiana Fire Chief Gordon Routley
And so like the annual audits of Enron and WorldCom we get what "they pay for"
I think it's time to move on, we all know the report will be a total white wash.
http://cedarposts.blogspot.com/2008/04/n...
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 1:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Covering up the lies again, are ya Riley? You half pint swine.
Doing a full independent audit on City Hall will likely expose criminal wrong doings and misuse and abuse of Federal, State, and Local tax dollars (YOUR MONEY)!!
Release the report now or lawsuits may fly in from every direction with allegations of crimes being committed in city hall.
This is Riley exposed. Now do the citizens of South Carolina and the United States see this little jerk for what he really is?
Screw You, Riley!
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 1:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't you just love how this jerk off gay looking dweeb spends YOUR MONEY???
Our money paid for that report .. and Riley best do the right thing and release it next week or the sky will rain fire from fire fighters all across the entire nation.
Posted by Ron_Godzilla on May 3, 2008 at 2:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bend Over Charleston -- As long as Riley remains your mayor you will continue to take it up the A*S
Posted by Ron_Godzilla on May 3, 2008 at 2:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Start the recall proceedings now. If the people in a vast state the size of California can organize and remove a worthless governor then the people of Charleston can organize and finally remove this third rate piece of sh*t out of a position he has demonstrated time and time again that he is no longer qualified to hold. The time for a prominent figure to step up to the plate and assume the role of leadership for this city is now and removing this moron from office should be an imperative.
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 5:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Fire Fighters Union needs to call for a strike and organized protest by fellow fire fighters from all over the state and the nation .. let them march down broad street to the steps of city hall. Let the nation see once again just how much this little dictator named RILEY is a tyrant.
Get this old man out of city hall even if you have to put his butt in jail to do it.
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 5:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you Post and Courier for keeping the public up to date on all the corruption that is out of control in our government.
Kudos to these reporters!
Posted by motoflyguy on May 3, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well is anybody surprised that the riley spin machine is playing politics with the report??(informing us at 6pm on a friday to aviod scrutiny is an old political trick worthy of Bill Clinton!)
We paid for the report and we demand it now! The poster above is correct every firefighter in the state should march on city hall and demand the report now and if we dont get it we should sue the city and anybody who hinders the publishing of the report.
Do we know what this report cost? Is it being sequestered to avoid criminal charges until the land grabbing mayor can buy the property from goldstien or what? we are not being told the whole truth.
I am so ashamed of our leadership at the state and local level.
It has been a year and no law has been passed in columbia like we were promised...how many more have to die...Columbia and other water departments around the state are still charging the enormus tap fees that deter installing fire sprinklers and the bill is dead in committee because some pinhead in the upstate said it was "unfair to the water departments...what a crock we must ADAPT OR CONTINUE TO DIE!
Sign me up for the march!!
Posted by UrGatorbait on May 3, 2008 at 7:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is this really a surprise?
The dwarf holding back the report? Shocked I tell and the beat goes on. Charleston City must have really low standards to keep this clown around. They deserve what they get.
Posted by firefightersforthetruth on May 3, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Mayor, you have a fire department in turmoil about to explode. If you do not find a way to release some of this pent up anger it will fall apart from with in. Your delay is only going to cause more problems for your firefighters. The longer you hide the truth, the deeper you dig the graves of future firefighters.
Mr. Routley is set to speak on May 21 about his findings at a fire conference in Rhode Island, will you allow him to address others with his findings before the families of the 9 dead fire fighters you Chief help kill?
Release the report now!
Posted by a_set_love on May 3, 2008 at 7:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
9 Men are dead needlessly. The charleston fire dept is now being totally rebuilt from the ground up due to 30+ years of incompetence and mismanagement from the mayor.
How many millions of dollars of taxpayers money has been wasted by those running the city of charleston in what now appears to be nothing more than a coverup.
Your money paid for an investigation into the fire and now the mayor says you can't receive the product you purchased. In a "NORMAL" organization, in a "NORMAL" city we would call that theft and call for the cops.
Posted by a_set_love on May 3, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
- RELEASE THE REPORT TODAY!!! -
Posted by Neponset on May 3, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cedarposts
I don't think it will be a "white wash", but it won't be hard hitting, since the folks doing the report want to get new work and if they come down too hard on little joe, nobody will hire them.
Posted by moonpie on May 3, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
City of Charleston great place to visit no place you would want to live and for good reason. I guess the blue bloods love Joe they keep putting him in there. But in their defense when has he ever had a formidable opponent??
Posted by a_set_love on May 3, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by moonpie on May 3, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
City of Charleston great place to visit no place you would want to live and for good reason. I guess the blue bloods love Joe they keep putting him in there. But in their defense when has he ever had a formidable opponent??
moompie - Theres nothing formidable about Joe.
Describe what you think is formidable about him. Other than the news media and Liberals support him.
Posted by ColdBeer on May 3, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's Howdy Doody time.. it's Howdy Doody time...
Someone needs to change riley's Depends... he's got a really rank smell about him.
Posted by steve on May 3, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have some naive questions.
Where, in this discussion, is the responsibility of the owners of the property/building/business?
Have these individuals not received insurance monies?
Brokered a sale of the property to the City?
Which IMHO should be the home of a new fire station - obviously, with the growth the W. Ashley area has had, a new fire house is the only true working and fitting memorial.
I get the anger and finger pointing. But I don't understand the total lack of concern over the owners and proprietors responsibility as well. It's easy to blame our government. The cities of Charleston and Mt. Pleasant have allowed too much growth without proper existing infrastructure to support it. Yet, there is a great amount of responsibility each of us must take for, and in, our business dealings.
Oh and who threw the cigarette butt?
Curious coincidence:
"...But he said Friday that a new photo from the fire recently surfaced..."
I recently saw some photos of the fire's aftermath. They gave me pause. If they were the same photos I don't blame the City and other agencies needing a pause until they were reviewed.
As the nephew of a retired Fire Chef I understand the anguish the families must feel. My hope is that when these reports do come out we learn enough to prevent this tragedy from replaying itself. From the comments I've read it seems like we all need to pause, pray, be prepared to forgive, but not forget, and most importantly move forward. Until then all this anger is adding fuel to the fire.
Posted by jameschucktown on May 3, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas1776,
Your rants about Riley show what a pathetic person you must be. Pitiful, crude and rude. I am suggesting their removal.
As for the report, Riley has proven that he has the character and judgement to consistenly do the right thing. He alone knows all of the facts and implications of this matter. He does what is best and correct under the circumstances and has earned the credibility to make decisions like this. The reports will come out in due time--and when all of the facts are in place.
Posted by ColdBeer on May 3, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jameschucktown, I have edited your post, making corrections as needed to accurately reflect factual information. Below is how I think the post should read:
Posted by jameschucktown on May 3, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As for the report, Riley has proven that he will do what ever is necessary to deflect blame and responsibility from the city and the fire chief responsible for the deaths of 9 firemen.
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jameschucktown,
Yes .. you are sick sick sick. Seek serious cognitive therapy for your condition before it's to late. lololol.
Put Riley In Jail!
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Riley and Rusty killed our 9 fire fighters. There death and blood is on THEIR hands. They are the ones. And we allow these creeps to continue on? Are we any better than them to do that?
They must resign or be put to shame to the nation once again.
Fire Fighters Unite!
Posted by readerresponse on May 3, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If the obscenity and sexual bigotry in the anti-mayor comments are any indication of the quality of the writers, Mayor Riley has no worry about retaining his respectability.
Posted by steve on May 3, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas1776,
I understand your statement.
What about the owners and occupiers? Didn't they have as much responsibility as the person who chucked the cigarette?
A sequence of events lead up to this tragedy. Quite frankly, I don't see it as manslaughter by the Mayor or Chief. There were too many variables in play.
Posted by carolinapanther on May 3, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
readerresponse, I was thinking the same thing. I almost started to comment to defend Riley but havent found anyone intelligent enough to have a conversation with. Everyone is making judgmental comments about things they probably dont know anything about. I for one trust Mayor Riley, he has proven his leadership after Hugo, and with revitalising downtown and espacially king st. He brought us a first class aquarium, baseball park, and waterfront park. Cites across the nation has been trying to learn from Riley and his expert knowledge on how to run a beautiful city.
Posted by jandlmoureau on May 3, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have read with some degree of interest some interesting revelations on Firefighter Hourly.
It would seem that some of the CFD firefighers are allowed to wear substandard helmets simply because they want to wear a particular style. My question is this; why are they given a choice?
That speaks to a leadership vacuum in my humble opinion that seems to be symptomatic. Change truly is hard to achieve and slow to come about.
Posted by jameschucktown on May 3, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas1776, I pity you.
Posted by vofr on May 3, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the whole point of this is that the comprehensive answer is still trying to be determined. The politics of it being released at 6:45 or whatever is just that...politics, but don't let that deter the issue. The city is trying to come up with a comprehensive answer to the topic so they can ensure that all stones are overturned and that no one can say they didn't do a thorough review. It's disturbing how many of you will make Riley is old, etc. jokes when there is little of this that is his fault. The fact that Rusty Thomas is still employed is disturbing and he should be fired....not the mayor.
Posted by Ron_Godzilla on May 3, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You Riley defenders just crack me up. It's always the same old bs.. He rebuilt the city after Hugo...He revitalized downtown..He's a national role model..blah blah blah..
Must get real uncomfortable being bent over and on your knees all the time. Again as long as Riley remains mayor Charlestonians will continue to taking it up the A*S!
Posted by vesta on May 3, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
carolinapanther: "Cites across the nation has been trying to learn from Riley and his expert knowledge on how to run a beautiful city." I am not sure how far "across the nation" you have been, but most fire departments (including volunteer fire departments) and mayors of any size cities in the U.S., cite the lack of accountability of the Charleston city managers (including the mayor) and city council, and the admins of the CFD fire department as responsible for this tragedy. The nation has, in fact, learned from Riley and the admins of the CFD. What they have learned is how NOT to run a city fire department and how NOT to handle a major fire. Riley believes, unfortunately, that he has "taught" the cities across the nation how to become a top notch fire department. The only thing Riley has done is to become the brunt of a great many jokes about failed administration and the frustration of good quality firefighters who have to work under such antiquated conditions for a city the size of Charleston. It is not at all humorous that nine good men lost their lives thanks to the system in place. I think Joe Riley owes the city coffers $158,000 out of his own pocket for the scam of the "Riley Report."
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
jameschucktown,
I laugh at you. You are a pathetic pretentious moron.
Bite me. lol
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Remember ... Tom Parsel had to help the City of Charleston Fire Fighters out because of Riley and Rusty. Remember that well.
What an insult to the City of Charleston that it had to take a huge donation from a good hearted wealthy man to help them out!!
Riley's true colors have been exposed. The little dweeb is a nothing. He is not a great man. He is not even honorable in any respect. The man has been a BS artist all these years and duped the voters.
Remember Riley called all Charlestonians "peasants" ... well those peasants want you behind, Riley. The entire nation is going to laugh at you, Riley. Your political career will end with you falling flat on your face in a pile of Charleston "pluff mud" .. lol
Posted by vofr on May 3, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't see how any intelligent conversation revolves around one party telling the other how the are "bending over and taking it" or telling somebody else to "bite me". If you talk that way it only goes to show the type of person you are and how little your opinion should be valued.
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Release that god damm report now, Riley!
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
vofr,
Bite me, old man. Bite me.
Posted by vofr on May 3, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the amount of muckracking that this newspaper does is appaling. I've lived in multiple cities and this newspaper borders on the National Enquirer. Why would you post a big picture of the mayor next to this headline? Wouldn't a picture of the fire or anything else be more appropriate? Of course it would, but then they wouldn't be trying to encite the riot response that they love to do here. This newspaper should be placed on the checkout aisles of the grocery stores as it has about as much news in it as those do.
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jay Lowry, a former Charleston firefighter is exactly right .... Riley is scared and wants to redact and purge that report. He is buying time so he can figure out how to manipulate the truth.
FORCE RILEY TO RELEASE THAT REPORT NOW! PUT THE LEGAL PRESSURE ON HIM AND SQUEEZE IN TO GIVE IT UP TO THE VOTERS.
LET ALL FIRE FIGHTERS ACROSS THE NATION AND THE WORLD KNOW THAT RILEY IS A LYING CROOKED TYRANT.
Posted by Ron_Godzilla on May 3, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
vofr
You are dead wrong. When a politician such as Riley blatantly screws over the electorate he needs to be called out. America was founded on this principle and the people of Charleston need to be reminded of this and harsh words are effective in insighting a wake up call. Political office is not an entitlement yet Riley seems to think otherwise.
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the Post and Courier does a wonderful job of reporting. At least the reporters and the editor have the best interest of the voters at heart. It's horrible we can't say the same for Riley and Rusty Thomas.
Hey? Riley's picture would look great hanging up on dart boards in city bars and pubs, ya think? lol
Posted by jameschucktown on May 3, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas, you are tasteless and must be on something to write like you do, as often as you do, and as stupid as you do.
Posted by jifdeng3 on May 3, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas, Now you support firefighters? Wow, thats new.
Posted by chance78 on May 3, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To all of you who actually waste your time reading the garbage from the likes of Thomas1776 - don't try to argue with him. He's a bitter little man with nothing better to do but spew absolute nonsense on this sad little forum.
God bless the Charleston 9 - I'm glad the authorities are taking the time to do a complete job and not reacting in moronic knee-jerk fashion of the usual crowd of morons who monopolize this forum.
Posted by chance78 on May 3, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As to Thomas1861, I'm sure he will respond soon, since from the frequency of his posts, he spends his entire life on his mom's computer on this site. Myself, I have better ways to spend a Saturday. Have a nice weekend.
Posted by dr_fed on May 3, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas1776 wrote
"Hey? Riley's picture would look great hanging up on dart boards in city bars and pubs, ya think? lol"
Personally I think it would look better in a urinal
Posted by TacrolimusAddict on May 3, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
1. Is the city paying Per Diem, Lodging, Rental car, Gas,and Salary for Fire Chief Gordon Routley, and the city-appointed panel of experts for each extra day? 2. I can't believe a pirated copy of the report hasn't surfaced yet, what's the deal there?
Posted by bootlicked on May 3, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The mayor was well over budget on all of his projects. What a waste of taxpayer's monies. He is still paying Rusty 107,000 of taxpayers money. How much were the Malonies paid by the city? The Malonies were close friends from what I've been told. How much has been spent on the drainage project? I passed a flooded car the last time that it rained on the cross town. If you think the mayor and Rusty are so great take your happy asses downtown and apply for a job on the CFD. They are in terrible need of new employees. Over thirty have quit since June 18th and that isn't including the nine dead heroes.Oh yeah my langauge may be a bit harsh but if you were standing in front of me taking up for the Mayor and RT I might just get my first simple assault charge on my spotless record. God bless all of the firefighters and citizense of Charleston because you need someone looking over you since your firedept. is still getting weaker and weaker everyday.
Posted by geekguy2008 on May 3, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jeeeezz. Some of these comments today are off the hook, totally.
Posted by bootlicked on May 3, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What is totally off the hook is Riley saying that the families are o.k. with the indefinite postponement and they aren't. What is off the hook is the people that no matter how many facts that they are supplied with still think JR and RT are on the up and up. What is off the hook is JR telling a family member that the report would be out on the 15th and now he is delaying. Do you want to see off the hook just go to the next council meeting on tuesday. It is getting ready to be really off the hook.
Posted by captjack on May 3, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The only concern should be for the survivors of the Charleston Nine, they deserve answers now. The Routley Report is complete and the author, Mr Routley agrees it should be released.
There is only one reason to delay it's release, the City of Charleston, the Mayor and Fire Chief need time to establish a defense strategy.
The delay is not to insure that the report does not contradict the NIOSH and NIST reports but rather to buy time for the responsible parties.
If you doubt my opinion, know that I am a career full time firefighter with 26 years front line experience. I have a degree, teach fire science and have studied a myriad of LODD reports. Most competent reports are completed within 4 to 10 months dependent on the circumstances and the science necessary to demonstrate factual certainties.
The time is now for the survivor families of the Charleston Nine to know what happened and who is responsible.
Godspeed to the Charleston Nine and the survivor families. jack
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
jameschucktown,
You are another pretentious imbecile. Stop harassing me and other on this website.
And .. BITE ME! (lol)
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think those most recent photos and the full names of those who took the same should be immediately released to the public, too.
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 7:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
dr_fed,
Love it!!! You go dude!!!!
Posted by motoflyguy on May 3, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here is a novel idea
Lets take all the money spent on all this ballony and use it to enforce the building and fire codes in the city to prevent this happening again...Be assured that there are other public buildings in charleston that do not meet the NFPA and Fire Codes right now today.
Every time you enter these buildings you take your life in your hands and the firemen dont even know they are being sent into a deathtrap!!
Riley enforce the codes NOW!
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
steve,
From my understanding of case law, the Sofa Store is can NOT legally be held responsible for the deaths of the Charleston 9.
However, the City of Charleston and the CFD can. That is most likely another reason why Riley is holding on to the report. He is buy time to have it worded (or re-worded) to where the city is not responsible.
I am telling you. Riley is well known by many like a book. He is predictable based on his history, I will say that.
Get that report and get it now. Even by legal force if necessary ... but get it NOW! Waiting till later gives Riley time to twist and manipulate everybody invovled in the investigations!! You better believe it!
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
News websites message boards and chat rooms all over the country are heating up about the little dweeb in City Hall.
This is a powder keg that is going to blow up and end up on National News again.
Wa-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-y to GO RILEY!!!!
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
chance78,
This is Uncle Festers computer.
Bite me.
Posted by Thomas1776 on May 3, 2008 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
jifdeng3,
Don't you know that sending me threatening emails will land you in jail? Didn't you get your warning?
Bite Me.
Posted by jameschucktown on May 3, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas, you are crude, rude and unattractive. Enjoy your miserable life of hate and bitterness. No one would find your words acceptable except those who are as full of hate as you. You will live in hell and that is too good a place for you.
Posted by jifdeng3 on May 3, 2008 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Neato, Im loved too!
Posted by UpperSCFF on May 3, 2008 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
While I don't condone name-calling, I have to call an ace an ace and a spade a spade.
For the Riley supporters.... What does it take for ya'll to know that something is a piece of poop? Most people can tell by the look and smell. Resorting to gustation is not the wisest of moves when trying to figure out what something consists of.
Posted by geekguy2008 on May 3, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What I'd like to see is the families and the firemen stand up and do something about this. There is power in numbers and if they join forces, it seems like better changes could be made. Is something like this in the works? What's going to happen at the next city hall meeting? I think I might try to go.
Posted by aquaticorange on May 3, 2008 at 10:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please, please, citizens of Charleston (and those who know anyone affected by the city of Charleston), go to the city council meeting on Tuesday. Bring signs, bring people, let's just hear this report so these families and these men can move on. Charleston, the more you support this man, the more the guilt of what happened June 18th of last year is on YOUR conscience.
How long has he had this report? How long will it take for the truth to come out? Take your medicine like a big boy, Joe, and maybe your men could someday respect you.
Posted by JohnS on May 4, 2008 at 1:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Enough of this incident. No one really cares anymore. We're sorry the men are dead. Let it alone. The radical firemen group thinks they have some power. The firefighters are public officals. If they strike fire the stikers and get new firemen. It's cheaper to hire brand new firemen anyway. No one is making unhappy workers stay on the job. Quit and work somewhere else.
Posted by UpperSCFF on May 4, 2008 at 6:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JohnS,
First, the IAFF is a non-striking union. That is in the nationa by-laws.
Second, when you just let unhappy firefighters walk out that door another thing goes out the door with them and that is experience. You obly obtain basic knowledge in a recruit class. The real knowledge comes from continuing education and practical application of the learned skills (aka- OJT).
Posted by carolinapanther on May 4, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Firefighters must have to much time on their hands! Let me remind you that you are public servants, you cant control the government, the government controls you.
Posted by aquaticorange on May 4, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
carolinapanther and JohnS, maybe someday you'll get to experience what tragedy is, what being pulled apart at the seams feels like. Maybe someday you'll get to know what it is like to have everyone judging and scrutinizing you, and maybe someday you'll know how it feels when justice is yet again delayed.
It's because of people like you that government stays the same, becoming an ineffective bureaucracy. I believe US government bodies, from the national government to the municipalities, were formed to protect and serve its people--ALL OF THEM, employees or not--so quit complaining and let those who wish to be the change they want to see in the world actually become that change.
Posted by BillytheKid on May 4, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Riley and Thomas should be gone, the only reason is that no one thinks they can beat Riley so they run a non-candidate against him. He can’t be recalled because that is not allowed in South Carolina. They don’t hold direct fault in the deaths of the Charleston firemen in the SSS fire but the do share some. There will be lawsuits over this and any move that Charleston does is controlled by lawyers. It is Charleston’s report, if the boss of Charleston does not want to make the report public, like it should be, he can until someone sues to get it out. I think it is a white wash job anyway.
Posted by captjack on May 4, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is very sad to see the last few comments. Those making them have little regard for the sacrifices made each day by firefighters to save lives and protect property. You dishonor the brave Charleston Nine by making their deaths common place, a bothersome reminder of the events of June 18. So rather than show any sign of humanity, you complain about the Union, lazy firefighters and make excuses for the government you elected.
I would dare say if one of the Nine were in your family you would be outraged at the lack action in caring for the survivors. I pray that you never have cause to feel the overt disregard demonstrated by your Mayor Riley in putting self preservation before the truth.
Godspeed the Charleston Nine and their surviving families, jack.
Posted by vofr on May 4, 2008 at 10:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What are any of you talking about at all? Do any of you realize that there has been several MILLION DOLLARS spent on improving the CFD this year? Of course not, because you are just too bitter about the mayor for reasons no one can identify. Do any of you realize that the mayor has made it his personal job to improve the CFD to unprecedented levels? But I'm sure that those of you that sit at home on your mom's computers with no wife or girlfriend will continue to be the best sofa chair leaders of this city.
Posted by carolinapanther on May 5, 2008 at 12:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen vofr! I could not of said better myself, people will stay bitter no matter what changes are made. I give up on these losers.
Posted by Doormat on May 5, 2008 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bitter for a good reason. SOS. Whenever I read posts like the ones above I automatically think, "Which suck up is this now?" That fat one who freaked out in Rit training but still passed, His brother, Mayors speach writer, Jughead?
Why is the mayor so afraid to release this report? Why did his story change from one day to the next[Wait to see what NIOSH says/ Mystery picture]?
One would have to be an idiot to not be outraged at the mayors assumption on our gullibility.
Posted by every_1_goeshome on May 5, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rusty's personally trained favorite son, Assistant Chief Robert O'Donnel, fell asleep at the recent Nationally recognized training. What a Joke. The CFD will never change until about 100 Dinosaurs and the eggs they laid are gone. Even before June 18, 2007 the CFD was a joke in the firefighting community..... it keeps getting worse. There are volunteer fire departments that have better trained leadership, equipment and tactics than CFD, always have. Delaying the report is no surprise, members of the CFD will be lucky if they ever see it. The City of Chas. paid for it and can do with what they want. Besides, further defining the failures of "ALL" of the leadership (Batt Chiefs, Capts, Training Officers, the guys who break windows, etc.) is not going to make a difference. The many incompetent leaders (Rusty is not the only problem!) have managed to last this long, their careers will survive any report now.