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Topic: Fallen Fire Fighters Widow gets a NO vote (Read 210 times) |
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Sean_C
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Fallen Fire Fighters Widow gets a NO vote
« on: Nov 5th, 2004, 9:18pm » |
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Hi guys, I know where from all parts of the World and thought you might be as outraged as I was to find out that this could possibly happen. I couldn't believe that people could be so heartless to this hero's family. A damn cup of coffee a day for a guy who runs into their burning houses to save allbeit them. Lancaster sucks hard.
I posted this article published by the Boston Herald.
PFDAN to you
Sean................................................
Vow to widow: We’ll find the $: Officials outraged over pension snub
By Casey Ross
Friday, November 5, 2004
Angry town officials are vowing to pay the pension of a fallen Lancaster firefighter whose widow is reeling from mounting bills and a sunken heart after townspeople refused to ante up on a referendum for the family in need.
``We have an obligation to provide for any public safety officer who puts their life at risk for our residents,'' selectman Joanne Foster said. ``We have always felt that way - always.''
With donations pouring in from irate residents, selectmen hope to establish a fund for the family of Marty McNamara or push Beacon Hill to pass a benefits bill for volunteer firefighters that has languished for months.
McNamara, 31, was killed while fighting a fire in the basement of a Lancaster farmhouse last November. On Tuesday, a one-time tax increase that would have provided a pension for his widow and three daughters was rejected by voters.
While many residents have offered generous support for the family, McNamara's wife, Claire, struggles every day with the pain and financial burden of her high school sweetheart's loss.
She works a few nights a week at a local beauty salon, but the money is scarcely enough to pay for daily needs and a $700-a-month health insurance policy.
``She's going to have these children for the next 18 years,'' said Martin McNamara, the fallen firefighter's father.
Selectmen are hoping Tuesday's outcome - an 18-vote defeat of the pension fund - will be reversed by 29 provisional votes that have yet to be counted. The ballots cannot be included until they are reviewed by the town clerk and unsealed by registrars.
Volunteer firefighters were not waiting for the final tally to vent their anger yesterday. ``I feel betrayed and disappointed,'' firefighter Bill Bartlett said. ``We're here to look out for their families, they should look out for ours.''
The one-time $650,000 tax override would have given the McNamaras an average of $30,000 a year, plus health insurance. The average tax hike would have been about $400 per household.
``It's a cup of coffee a day. That's what it boils down to,'' said Jack Gorman, whose wife is Marty McNamara's cousin. ``Who wants to jump into a burning building in that town anymore?''
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alleyoop
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Re: Fallen Fire Fighters Widow gets a NO vote
« Reply #1 on: Nov 5th, 2004, 9:33pm » |
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UNBELIEVABLE!
..............alley 
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I know that the Good Lord won't put any more on you than you can stand, but sometimes I wish He weren't quite so PROUD of ME!
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cschick
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Re: Fallen Fire Fighters Widow gets a NO vote
« Reply #2 on: Nov 5th, 2004, 9:45pm » |
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That makes me sick. I have no idea how one can be a firefighter. It truly is a calling. God Bless this woman and her children. The Lord works in mysterious ways. Please keep us updated on the situation.
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Jimmy_B.
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Re: Fallen Fire Fighters Widow gets a NO vote
« Reply #4 on: Nov 6th, 2004, 8:04am » |
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In a World where people would run your wife & kids off the road to get to work a little quicker or walk over you to be the first one in the grocery check-out line...this does not surprise me.
The majority of people are getting the "Me first & what's in it for Me, syndrome"
I'm sure the people who voted NO...will be the first to complain about the Fire Trucks arriving a little too late.
A one time fee of $300.00, is a small price to pay for these Hero's. What the Hell is going on!!!
I'm not sure if I'm angry or just plain sad.
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"I'd much rather be HAPPY then RIGHT any day" Slartibartfast
Get informed! Don't vote a party ticket. Go to www.vote-smart.org and find out where your political candidates stand.
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