Fee Not Paid; Firefighters Let Home Burn

Star Tribune ^ | October 6, 2005 | Robert Franklin

[Shalom Israel]

However, Fire Chief Jerry Jensen said, "It's not the way we're trained. It's just wrong. ... My job is to put out fires, not to watch them burn, [and] I don't want this to happen again."

My read on this is that the Fire Chief wants to see the FD funded out of tax revenues. Good old-fashioned rent seeking.

[wallcrawlr]

You are way over the top my Christian brother...maybe go take a walk and cool it with the accusatory tone.

[Shalom Israel]

You are way over the top my Christian brother...maybe go take a walk and cool it with the accusatory tone.

Remains to be seen. Are you claiming that I am factually incorrect, and the Fire Chief doesn't desire his department to be paid from tax revenues? If so, it will be easy enough to determine who is correct.

[Little Ray]

Nah. Just slap a lien on his property and earnings. He'll negotiate quickly enough when his paycheck is garnisheed.

[joesnuffy]

The ole protection racket eh?

You either buy it
or you dont have it

[Phantom Lord]

"I supposed they could have put the fire out, then billed him."

Wouldn't that have made a heck of a lot more sense? I'll bet they could have gotten 50 from him!

They should have put it out and billed him for actual costs.

[kx9088]

But when firefighters were called back later, they let the rekindled blaze destroy the building's remains.

They were called back. So, basically, the first time they did it regardless of the fee, but the second time they decided not to and just stood there and watched it burn. So what do they do? Keep a list of addresses handy to check and see if they paid up or not?

[dhuffman@awod.com]

I once tried to ensure that no dollar of mine, sweat of my brow, went to any racist member of the United Way. I was assured that they would not disburse any of my contribution to their racist members but that I could not affect the 'bottom line'. I never again contributed (paid 'tribute') to ANY charity.

I donated 'in kind' to the ARC until they prohibited me from carrying my gun.

You be conservative your way and I'll be conservative my way.

[funkywbr]

Betcha to save another few bucks he didn't have mobile home owners insurance either.

[Shalom Israel]

You are way over the top my Christian brother...maybe go take a walk and cool it with the accusatory tone.

Sorry, I mistook which post you were replying to. On the subject of slavery, I'm afraid there's nothing "over the top" about it: you're advocating forced labor.

[Fawn]

I'll bet those firefighters would save an illegal immigrants life if they had the opportunity. They were wrong.
This will go on my list of 'they're not my heroes'....I started when the NY Firefighters started a lawsuitfor inhaling smoke during 9-11. They were doing their job and now suing because of it.....my respect for firefighters is very low.

[cavtrooper21]

Lessee here... 25 dollars a year breaks down to 2.08 dollars a month or 48 cents a week or 7 cents a day.
Bet they end up forking over more if they have to pay through property tax.
A lot more.
Wonder if this goober had insurance?


Bet not.

[Shalom Israel]

The ole protection racket eh?
You either buy it
or you dont have it

Actually selling insurance is not a protection racket. What makes a protection racket a racket is that the same people selling "protection" will cause you "accidents" if you don't buy. In this case, the FD would only be a "protection racket" if they set fires on people who didn't pay the fee.

[Fawn]

What kind of tag line is that? You kick animals?

[LongElegantLegs]

Every day.

[dljordan]

"Screw him. He refused to pay and now he's going to complain and force everyone in his community to pay a property tax because he was too irresponsible and lazy to pay an extremely reasonable $25."

When the Clay Lick Volunteer Fire Department used to ask me for donations above the $30 annual fee I was always digging deep in my pocket and smiling.

[wallcrawlr]

I dont think you need to accuse someone of racist slavery when you discuss this stuff. Thats why its over the top.

[DB]

And what happens if the owner did pay the fee and can prove it later and the fire department screws up thinking it isn't paid and watches it burn?

Then the city will end up buying a new home for someone. That could be a bit expensive...

What happens if somebody dies in a fire the department refuses to respond to? That could get real expensive...

[auntyfemenist]

If they put it out once, doesn't that mean they DID show up despite the $25 fee not being paid?

And yeah, this guy should have stood watch with a hose for sure. Firemen do the best they can. I have seen a house smolder and rekindle for two days.

[Fawn]

Do you think it's slavery when Dr.s, Nurses, taxpayers are forced to save illegal immigrants lives for free?