Minimum staffing for the Auburn Fire Department has been a hot button issue for some time now. The argument that the current minimum of 15 (NFPA Recommended) has caused large expenditures for overtime is questionable at best. These figures could be just as high with a minimum of 14.

Regardless, with all this attention, the city misses its chance to open negotiations for a new contract. The city manager, with his ego bruised, wants the same people he has been blaming for this problem, to cover his butt, and redo the contact anyway. They can contractually refuse and do.

Monday night, members of City Council attend the annual memorial service, showing gratitude, and solidarity.

Tuesday, the city manager decimates the department, in a move reminiscent of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He decommissioned Engine 2, and scuttles the Station 2, in less than a New York Minute.

The city manager says he can do this, doesn't need council approval.

Far be it from me to say that the manager is incorrect, but the MMA Report of 2003, that he uses as his excuse to get back at the firefighters, recommends that the city operate from two NEW stations to be built in more strategic locations, and only then to close an engine company.

Chief Hammon, who was only interim at that time, claims this will make the department more efficient. This move by the city cuts the departments fire ground capability by 33 percent, and I suggest that there are addresses in the city where accepted fire procedures will not be able to be followed because of the lack of that company.

How much savings? $1 million? $2 million? Excuse me, $30,000. Chump change.

The sad thing is that council's quietness on this matter is deafening.

Fire protection has just been crippled in this city, so that an apparent vindictive egotist can have his revenge.

All this happened on April Fools Day. If city council allows this to continue, it will be hard to tell who are bigger fools -council, or the public that elected them.

Jim Plis

Auburn