Posted on 10/18/2001 7:09:34 AM PDT by Alkhin
A call for action amid tears
Widow urges staff increase in eulogy for fallen firefighter
By ROMA KHANNA
Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle
As thousands mourned fallen fire Capt. Jay P. Jahnke, his widow used her eulogy Wednesday to urge city officials to staff Houston's firetrucks with more firefighters to prevent future deaths.
"The other day I asked Jay how they can continue to allow the department to ride short," Dawn Jahnke said through tears. "His response was simple: `Heck, I don't know. I guess someone is going to have to die before they get it.'
"So I appeal to you, the people have a voice and a voice can make a difference," she said.
Jahnke's plea was met with applause and a standing ovation from the more than 5,000 mourners, many uniformed firefighters, who filled Second Baptist Church.
Firefighters have criticized the Houston Fire Department's practice of staffing trucks with three firefighters instead of the recommended four.
Orlando Sanchez, one of two City Council members challenging Mayor Lee Brown in next month's election, has made firetruck staffing a key campaign issue.
After the funeral, Brown said he did not want to politicize Jahnke's death by commenting on his wife's remarks.
But a few hours later he announced a plan to increase staffing on firetrucks.
Jahnke, 40, died Saturday after he was trapped in a high-rise building fire at the Four-Leaf Towers at 5100 San Felipe.
Apparently, not much.
He was police chief here, police commissioner in NY, head of security for Atlanta olympics, and Clinton drug czar before returning to impose himself on us as mayor. And he's been soooo successful in those posts. YEAH, RIGHT...
I don't know what the people who vote for him are thinking...like I said above, not much, apparently. I voted against him twice and will do the same this time. He's an idiot being controlled by the previous mayor, "King" Bob Lanier, another liberal dim. Sometimes I swear I can see the strings. All that Brown can list as accomplishments are the huge favors for his benefactors: new ballpark, new football stadium, new basketball arena, $300 million (or more) 7-mile go-nowhere toy train, $1/2 million "welcome to houston" signs at the airport with his face on them...
Bump!
But I'll tell you one thing, P.C. or not, this election will be split Black vs White!
You must be joking.
During the flood, Leefy Brown (my radio disc jokey calls him that), told everyone not to assist people, don't help out, that's what the professionals were for.
He's an idiot. I can't wait to vote for Sanchez.
I was wondering if we were going to be able to replace that photo. Dagnabbit!
He's also the mayor that spent 5,000 dollars to learn public speaking so that he could give a "State of the City" address. I think it was $5k.
And Lee . P . Brown was clearly the most stupid person (out of over 700) in the room. I had to turn the debate off after about 10 minutes so that I didn't put a foot through my TV. Brown is just like his hero, Clinton: It's all about him. I did this and I did that and I have a plan for whatever. BARF!!!
The demolition of that abuse of tax dollars would be a good way to kick off the post-Brown Houston renaissance.
They could raise funds by auctioning off the honors to man the demolition plunger.
They could sell raffle tickets to attend the destruction of Brown 'legacy' and pay for at least a portion of the waste he has wrought on the city of Houston.
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