It was disheartening to learn that the Democratic Party endorsed Mike Quill as their candidate for mayor.
One would have thought that the Democrats would have learned from the mistake made by the election of Bill Jacobs, another retired fire fighter.
Former councilor Jacobs and retired Chief Quill demonstrated to the taxpaying public where their priorities were.
It was not the taxpayers. Both of these retired firefighters knew the ramifications of the contract that nearly broke the back of our small city.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars were paid to the fire department in overtime.
This money was not budgeted, and as such it had to be siphoned off from other departments.
Dozens of jobs were on the line. Men and women from the police, street, sewer, sanitation departments, all stood to lose their jobs.
While these men and women wondered if they were going to have a job and be able to support their families, the fire department added additional personnel to meet the minimum staffing level clause that was partly negotiated and endorsed by Chief Quill.
Retired Chief Quill knew the ramifications of this contract, yet he allowed it to be brought forth to the council for a vote.
The city of Auburn can ill afford another retired firefighter serving in a decision-making capacity. The risk associated with Chief Quill is far too great.
Unfortunately, the Democratic hierarchy seems to have forgotten the pain felt by the working men and women who give their support and money for their candidates' election.
We need to protect these men and women.
They provide the services we all enjoy.
Chief Quill has already demonstrated where is loyalties are, and they are not with the taxpayers, nor the various other departments that make Auburn work.
As such, I cannot and will not support the election of retired Chief Quill as our next mayor.
Jerry L. Morgan Sr.
Auburn
Former councilor Jacobs and retired Chief Quill demonstrated to the taxpaying public where their priorities were.
It was not the taxpayers. Both of these retired firefighters knew the ramifications of the contract that nearly broke the back of our small city.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars were paid to the fire department in overtime.
This money was not budgeted, and as such it had to be siphoned off from other departments.
Dozens of jobs were on the line. Men and women from the police, street, sewer, sanitation departments, all stood to lose their jobs.
While these men and women wondered if they were going to have a job and be able to support their families, the fire department added additional personnel to meet the minimum staffing level clause that was partly negotiated and endorsed by Chief Quill.
Retired Chief Quill knew the ramifications of this contract, yet he allowed it to be brought forth to the council for a vote.
The city of Auburn can ill afford another retired firefighter serving in a decision-making capacity. The risk associated with Chief Quill is far too great.
Unfortunately, the Democratic hierarchy seems to have forgotten the pain felt by the working men and women who give their support and money for their candidates' election.
We need to protect these men and women.
They provide the services we all enjoy.
Chief Quill has already demonstrated where is loyalties are, and they are not with the taxpayers, nor the various other departments that make Auburn work.
As such, I cannot and will not support the election of retired Chief Quill as our next mayor.
Jerry L. Morgan Sr.
Auburn
