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.
Lee Brown got into our city's political system BECAUSE OF SLICK-BOY CLINTON...and because the city of New York tossed him out ages ago. Lee Brown's policies have seriously hurt Houston in the way of safety and preparedness. It's only by the grace of God that we have not suffered worse...and we may yet still suffer, because of it.
The fury of the citizens is palpable. Not only have I heard callers on the conservative talk radios, but on the mainline FM stations of firefighter's wives and family pinning the direct blame of THREE FIREFIGHTERS LOST because of Lee Brown's negligence....and the cockatrice had the unmitigated GALL to pull his best Clintonian impression (highlighted above...doesn't it sound like he got political coaching somewhere???)
NOT TWO HOURS, FOLKS, and he's getting face time in front of the camera's "making a proposal."
Trust me, Brown, when Mrs. Jahnke called for action, it WASN'T directed at YOU!
With the connivance of fellow CoreDemocrat(tm) Mayor Dinkins, his force stood aside as CoreDemocrats(tm) attacked white people in general, and Jews in particular, injuring many and destroying much property.
I would say he is repeating his "success" in his current job, and would certainly be considered a front runner for Janet Reno's job in a prospective Hillary administration.
My father was a VOLUNTEER firefighter for YEARS...my grandfather, at one time, the State Fire Marshall for Texas...my uncle is also volunteer and my cousin (his son) an EMT/Fireman. Firefighting is in the family, so this issue hurts as much as it would if any of them were involved in the Houston Fire Dept.
I posted this because I find this whole situation so...ironic...in light of the WTC attacks and New Yorks attacks. I can assure you, there are plenty in New York who knew Lee Brown when he was head of their police, who are going WHEW!!!!!!!!
But he was 'calm' right??? Thats what local conservative talk show host(Jon Matthews) says is the best thing about him...he is 'calm.' (sarcasm OFF)
ROFL ... you're kidding, right?
WHO says he 'saved Houston?' I do hope that is sarcasm I detect! lol
The impression I got of him was that he was woken up in the morning and was bumbling around trying to figure out which camera he should face first. The first two fire fighters who died??? It took him days to contact the family...he didn't even go up to the hospital to be with the family when they were even HURT, much less pronounced dead.
The man is a mini-Clinton. I need no other curse word than that to get my meaning across.
Unfortunately, the cost for this large granite tombstomb with picture cost about $250,000 each. I understand from newspaper reports that there is no way to put the next mayor's picture in there -- to say "thanks" for visiting the airport.
It was a one time deal for Mr. Brown. So he gets a free campaign ad, at Houston's expense.
Hoppy
Yes, I saw the sign once when I had to drive someone to IAH. Thankfully, I always fly Southwest from Hobby, where there is no picture of the idiot...yet.
Brown is leading the pack but does not have over 50% support to avoid a runoff. Sanchez and Bell are both vying for the "anybody but Brown" vote. If this goes to a runoff, Brown will definately lose.
I don't know, but I would guess that they've changed this week. From the Chronic (9/30):
Brown Leads in Poll; Could Be Vulnerable in Runoff
Supported by 36 percent of voters
09/30/2001
Mayor Lee Brown holds a comfortable lead over Orlando Sanchez and Chris Bell in this fall's mayoral election, though it may not be enough for him to avoid a runoff, according to a Houston Chronicle/KHOU-TV poll.
The poll shows that Brown is supported by 36 percent of voters, compared to 19 percent for Sanchez and 15 percent for Bell, with most of the rest undecided.
That gives Brown the support of half the voters who say they have made up their minds about the Nov. 6 election. Sanchez gets 27 percent of decided voters and Bell 21 percent.
Sanchez and Bell, Brown's two main challengers, are City Council members.
He's taking Houston down something awful! He HAS to be defeated!
Guess it is too late for me to suddenly acquire a Houston address and register, isn't it???
He already has. Remember, he refused to defend our city against Algore's lies. Anyway, like I said in a thread earlier this week, I feel for the victims in NYC, but I'm glad it didn't happen here. There's no way our emergency services could have handled it. Brown's steadfast refusal to increase HFD's budget has forced them to make do with too few firefighters and EMT's and substandard equipment.
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