It takes 15 minutes to fix a leaky faucet. There's been a crew of TEN there waiting for an emergency on their 24 shifts for years, and they can't take 15 minutes to fix the thing? They let unhealthy "black slime" accumulate and become a health hazard becasue they can't find a few minutes and about 10 bucks for new p-trap? I saw the pictures of the kitchen, and it seems like they took off a bunch of cabinet doors for some reason. Do they neglect their equipment as much as they do this kitchen? Either it seems like they're too lazy to do even the most minor maintenance, orsomething else is going on here.

The repairs seem minor, and it's inexplicable why they haven't fixed it. Is it against union rules?LOL The only reason I can see why they're making such a big deal about this is politics, and it's SMART politics. They want to condition the public to voting FOR giving money to the Fire District.They're asking for an unnecessary $1.9 million per year tax increase on March 20. Voters will know little about how awful management by the Board led to the financial crisis. Getting a few hundred people to reflexively vote "for the Firefighters" may be enough to pass this bad referendum that will enable the dysfunctional Board management to continue rather than reform to solve this management problem.

Politics is about 10% economics, 30% corruption and 60% "psychology". It's suttle, but you've got to be skeptical about the way we're "played" in Palos politics!

I just watched the video. They are joking about this"need" right? That stove is sttew of the art and had to have cost over $2,000. New dish washer, microwave. Someone took off the cabinet doors under the sink to reveal a new garbage disposal and some simple plastic drain pipe (that doesn't appear to be leaking). They show that dripping faucet that apparently only needs a 50 cent washer to stop the leak, but they're too lazy to make the effort.

The floor is rough but that's not a $25K problem. The cabinets are dirty (who's fault is that?) but some good cleaning should have them spic and span!

If THIS is what they need $25K to "fix" it brings up a whole new set of issues. Do they REALLY need a NEW $750 truck and ladder, or do they just need a $50K refurbishment? Are they neglecting their fire equipment likethey are a leaky faucet, letting it "fail" for years rather than fixing it? Is it the mindset of the Board that they need a $25K expenditure to fix what looks to be a $2,000 (tops) floor repair?

WOW! I would be embarrassed to create a video that shows I'm too lazy to replace a 50 cent washer on a $300 DESIGNER kitchen faucet!

This video was certainly educational!

Bob, very well said. I asked my friends that are Chicago firefighters who work in station that are over 100 years old. They the firefighters have pride in their station and all 3 shifts pool their money to fix the station the way they want. Palos fire is out of control. I asked about your comment on the ladder truck and they told me that is right on refurbish it. In Chicago they have ladder trucks that are over 20 years old and respond to over 20 calls a day. They run more fire in a week then Palos runs in a year. The out of control spending has got to stop. Look around at other departments. Palos Heights runs almost as many calls and does it with 6 firefighters. Why does Palos need so many more. Blue Island runs 3600 calls a year with a minimum of 4 and they run real calls not a bunch of fire alarms.

Compare staffing at the Police Department with the Fire Department::

From the Palos Police Dept home page:

"The Palos Park Police agency is a full service law enforcement agency with twenty-nine sworn officers who patrol the village twenty-four hours a day. We staff our field officers predicated on peak days and times when we need the most staff available."

The Fire Department has the same staffing at all hours of the day. Why the different philosophies?

Jim

Almost all of the police officers are part-time employees who work for a low hourly wage and receive no fringe benefits. Most of the fire district employees serve on a full time basis with corresponding (costly) benefits including health insurance and pensions. The far lower cost basis of the largely part-time police force apparently allows for greater efficiency and flexibility in staffing to meet the needs of the Palos Park community

Pretty clear that these guys take no pride in their station. Most of these things are easy fixes. Shame on them as a career fire department to neglect their work place like that. Other fire stations would pool their funds or have a fundraiser and take care of that kitchen. The 4 other fire stations on the Rescue Remodel deserve it more. These other poor stations kitchens make Palos' look like a Top Chef kitchen!

I must be missing something. What's with all the anger towards our fire department possibly WINNING a 25K renovation? I can only hope I never become so bitter that I can't support improving the place of work of the men and women of our city whose job it is to run into a burning building while everyone else is running out!!! What's next rioting because your rich neighbor may win the lottery?

Dan, I'm pretty sure that those stoves and dishwasher are a LOT newer than a couple decades old. My guess is that they're replaced within the last three years. I don't have a problem with that. If we won't let the firefighters order out or brown bag it, why not give them a good place to cook.

Teammate, it's not that we begrudge them a new kitchen if they can get enough votes. I voted for 'em about a dozen times.

What bothers me is that they're putting out a "brand" as needing a LOT of money to take care of minor problems.

They're asking to take $1.9 million MORE from community families per year next March to pay for the 25% to 28% raises they "needed" back in 2008. They want millions more to replace, rather than refurbish, high cost, lightly used equipment. It makes one think, "do they need it, or is it just like the kitchen, $25K to fix a leaky faucet, a few tiles, and some cabinet faces?"

BTW, can you tell us about the last time Palos firefighters were "running into a burning building when everyone else is running out?" It may have happened sometime, but if it did it would certainly be front page news! They only have about one major or minor structural fire a month, and many don't even require using the fire hoses.

My point is this comment section is designated for the kitchen remodel which can possibly be won by our fire department. These negative comments don't exactly encourage our citizens to vote for our department. This is a feel good story which doesn't need to get crapped all over. You're other concerns may be valid, but should be voiced elsewhere. I suggest erasing your comments or just voice your support for the remodel. If Mr. Lambert posts a story about 28% raises then blast away.
BTW, dates of fires is irrelevant. If there was a fire everyday for three months straight, they would be the ones to respond. I'd rather we judge our fire department on the job they do when called upon and not the frequency they are called!

I really do appreciate the discussion. However, it is easiest to go back and forth and enter into a meaningful discussion if comments on a particular topic are centered around the article that they apply to. For ease of reading, I think it makes sense to direct comments on the district's finances and operations to this article: http://patch.com/A-qGTh and leave this section for comments specifically dedicated to the Rescue Remodel vote.

I am not going to delete what is already here, but this request just makes it easier for everyone to follow. Thanks!

Hi Dan,

The article you have recommended, about Orland Fire joining with Palos Fire, is off-topic, in my opinion.

Jim

OMG!!! It's a contest, they entered and were picked as a finalist, if other fire departments wanted a chance then they should've entered. the firefighters are doing a great job getting votes, that's what a contest is all about. I think it is fantastic that a fire station from our neighborhood was picked. I swear people will find anything to complain about.

THOUSANDS of other departments entered, Go Cubs. Somebody, nobody knows quite who or what their criteria was, selected the "finalists". I have VERY hard time believing that these are the five most "deserving" of the gift in the nation.

From what I understand, a BIG part of getting Palos in was the application written by Marianne, the administrative assistant who filed the application.

Believe it or not, really hope they win the "kitchen lottery".....but LOSE the referendum until they come up with a fair and sustainable financial plan that allows for proper staffing, equipment replacement, and raises for the next decade not exceeding the cost of living.

Everyone is trying to judge a book by it's cover. It is wrong to criticize Lambert as he appears to be the only one who is doing his due diligence in covering any of the stories relating to the fire district. It should be noted that an arbitrators ruling is only an opinion based on a fact finding mission of material presented by two paid attorneys trying to represent the best interest of their clients.

Actually, Joe, part of "due diligence" is having backup for claims you make. If it's a guess or opinion without documented basis, a responsible journalist (or blogger) has a responsiblity to explain so.

Dan has done a good job of getting the discussion going, but almost all the substantiated, documented facts have come from other bloggers.

I believe facts should be driving this discussion, but opinions without any basis, perhaps including prejudices one way or the other, should be identified as such.

One of the reasons I might have seemed hard on Dan is that he sets the tone of the conversation, and if HE is presenting opinion and guesses as fact, the value of this excellent blog could decline very quickly.

Thanks for all the comments. The fire district referendum and finances will be my reporting priority for the next several weeks. Look for a number of posts on the issue. I am viewing the kitchen contest and the referendum and finances as two different issues.

It's my job to look into the district's finances and the issues surrounding the referendum with scrutiny and a critical eye. It is also my job to rally the community support beneficial causes.

Fair enough, Dan. Have you found backup for your claim that raises were "only" 10% yet? It would seem the fairest way to evaluate this would be to receive the salaries of staff BEFORE the big increase with those same staff members AFTER the increase. OT should be kept separate, unless the contract made "straight" time work into time and a half or double time OT.

Just my opinion, but if you're going to make the case for raising taxes (which it appears you are), please tell us how the community "benefited" from the big salary increases of 2008 in metrics such as fewer (or less severe) community damages and negative health outcomes, and why we should trust the Board not to just have a repeat of the 2008 raises if we take an additinal $1.9 million from our families every year and give it to them. I think that will be a very hard case to make.

I think the Palos Patch is a great newspaper, and Dan and Jesse are energetic reporters. But I would like to see them win a Pulitzer prize for investigative journalism. That would require a few changes.

Perhaps there are too many stories about the Palos Fire Kitchen contest. There are at least 7 recent kitchen stories in the Patch, and only a few about the March 20 referendum. The referendum is a far more important issue.

Jim

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http://youtu.be/hIas1_fyj9g

good luck guys! way to go finding a kitchen this way...OUTSTANDING!

http://youtu.be/9_ZYpPZIqEc

I agree with Mr. Kline that the work done by Dan is informative and needed. I would like to see more articles based on the actual referendum about the SIGNIFICANT increase in taxes to ALL PALOS RESIDENTS, then about which egg and pepper sandwich is the best. We all appreciate and thank our first responders, but we just can't afford to pay so much more in money for a minimal, if any, increase in service with our low yearly needs. I am voting for palos to win the contest to improve the station....That should not be a point of discussion......the $1.9 MILLION hit to all our Palos Park residents should be the point of discussion....If Dan could make it a point to keep this front and center, that would be much appreciated!

Also, I hope and pray that POLITICS are not playing a role in how much press the fire station contest is getting, and how little press the tax increase/referendum is getting...

I would like to see more stories on food. I think its important to have a good pepper and egg sandwich. maybe you guys could pic a different food next week! I think the patch is for everyone. so If I wanna read about yummy food in the area, or what species of bird is flying in this time of year, we should get to find out. thanks!
I also think that nobody would want to cook, let alone eat in a kitchen like that...nobody should. looks like its more than a leaking faucet too.

Hi Dan and Jesse,

Maybe you guys could run some stories about firefighters fighting fires in Palos. I'm sure you have some photos and stories in your archives.

Jim

Does anyone know how many FTE's are employed by the Palos Fire District? We are spending over $3.5 MILLION on wages for full and part time employment. It just seems like a lot!!! CHECK IT OUT!!
http://palosfire.org/2011-2012%20Budget%20(signed)%20adopted%208-2011.pdf

Dan, could you please get have the Mayor John Mahoney's opinion on this referendum in your upcoming article? This will definitely have some ramifications on our future votes! Thank you!

Just vote for them and stop complaining. This is about a freaking kitchen!! Typical for people to turn this into something it shouldn't be. They are the only station in the contest from the Midwest. What happened to people wanting to help firemen who run into burning buildings when everyone else is running out. Better a local department than one from another area. Congratulations, I'm happy for you.

"help firemen who run into burning buildings when everyone else is running out."

Have Palos Firepersons ever actually done this? Just wondering. I'd like to hear some stories about our firemen's heroism where they risk their lives to save others. Those who truly do show such bravery should be lauded for it. When's the last time that happened it Palos?

It would be a real shame if we had to lay off some real heroes to be able to afford the substantial raises over the last few years.

As a Palos Park resident I would like to express my gratitude for all the members of the department. I can't understand why some people are acting like little children over this contest. Are they jealous or is it just ignorance. They act as if the fireman have nothing else to do but make repairs and remodel their own kitchen. I suggest that those who are so opposed to the department winning this contest spend a little time researching the numerous responsibilities that each of the fireman have. Each and every member of that department spends countless hours on training. The fire service is always changing and it's members must change with it. This requires classroom and hands on training as well. I wonder if some of these people would be so bitter and angry at the fireman if they required there services at 3:00 in the morning. I know they choose this profession but that doesn't give people the right to be so disrespectful toward the many jobs they do each day. They take a risk every time they respond to a call. We should be grateful for what we have have.

Thanks for the coverage on this Dan, including the clarifications. Looking forward to stories on the proposed referendum and all the issues involved!

Agree with Bill Garrigan....if we can get the fire dept. a "FREE" 25k upgrade, I am all for it! In fact, I voted for us !!!! Heck, if every First Responder could get a "FREE" bonus or raise, I am all for it.....I just do not want the taxpayers to be responsible for picking up the tab by increasing our real estate taxes by the new referendum!!! PLEASE VOTE NO IF YOU WANT YOUR PROPERTY TAXES TO NOT RISE AGAIN! Dan, do we know when we will hear more about the referendum? We only have 3 weeks, and we need to get the word out!!!

As I mentioned before, I hope that politics does not play into the media reporting about tax increases just because there are a few interested parties in the village administration who throw around their weight. I wish this article and comments would get to the mayor so he can see what the people's thoughts are.