Firefighters forum grills city candidates

By Alicia Petska

Published: April 15, 2008

City Council candidates were grilled on their commitment to public safety Tuesday during a forum held by the Lynchburg Fire Fighters Association.

President Jason Campbell said the association, which is expected to issue endorsements today, was looking for representatives who would back up their rhetoric with action.

“A lot of candidates say they strongly support public safety,” Campbell said. “But we’re looking for candidates who will also take a leadership role and step out for the firefighters. Someone who will lead the charge and step out on a limb even when they’re alone.”

Candidates were questioned by voting ward with three of the four represented.

Neither of the hopefuls from Ward II attended. Incumbent Ceasor Johnson, a minister at a Baptist church, informed organizers he had a prior work commitment. Attempts to reach challenger David Johnston were unsuccessful, Campbell said.

All those in attendance Tuesday night were given the opportunity to answer the same questions about spending priorities and community concerns. Each slate of candidates was then presented with different questions addressing specific challenges facing the fire department and other public safety agencies.

Ward I candidates were asked how they would handle limited overtime resources that sometimes leave firefighters unable to staff a truck or even an entire station.

Challenger Jim Martin, who fielded the question first, said ensuring the department had adequate manpower needed to be a “top priority” and he would direct budget staff accordingly if elected.

Incumbent Mike Gillette said the city’s limited resources called for a “creative” solution in this case, specifically suggesting the distribution of the department’s stations and equipment be reconfigured in a more “efficient” manner to ensure the loss of one truck did not threaten the ability to answer calls.

Challenger Tom Shahady said firefighters’ lives are at risk when they respond to calls and the city should provide them the resources they need.

Ward III candidates were asked to map out a plan for dealing with the city’s aging and in some cases overcrowded fire stations.

Incumbent Jeff Helgeson said the city needed to make that a priority in its “very large” major improvements plan rather than giving money to projects such as downtown’s Bluffwalk Center.

Challenger Nat Marshall said the city needed to set a list of priorities and then begin ticking items off in a methodical, fiscally responsible manner.

Ward IV candidates were asked about increasing racial diversity within the fire and police departments.

Turner Perrow said in the case of the fire department he felt the primary concern should be retaining capable and well-trained firefighters. Police, he added, faced greater challenges when it comes to promoting community relations and he was looking forward to the hiring of a new chief.

Marie Waller said minorities first had to be willing to apply for the jobs if issues of diversity were going to be addressed.