Free Republic

Hundreds of New York City firefighters took sick leave on Friday instead of complying with Mayor Bill de Blasio's deadline for all city workers to be vaccinated or be placed on unpaid leave - causing some firehouses to shut their doors because of staff shortages. 'The excessive sick leave ... because of their anger at the vaccine mandate for all city employees is unacceptable,' said FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro, who oversees a department where more than a quarter of its workers have not had one COVID vaccine shot. Nigro said their decision to take sick leave could 'endanger the lives'...

Fire commissioner Daniel Nigro is urging first responders to skip 9/11 anniversary events this year due to COVID-19 — outraging firefighters hoping to honor their 343 brethren killed in the WTC attacks. “FDNY has gone from ‘never forget’ to ‘forget about it,'” a department member complained. Nigro issued the stunning directive in an internal order last week. “From a health and safety perspective, the FDNY strongly recommends that our members forego participating in 9/11 gatherings and events this year,” Nigro states. “During these difficult times, the department acknowledges our members’ commitment to never forget those we lost on that fateful day. At...

Maybe it is her short, spiky hair, or the cigarettes, which she gives to the men repairing the wiring in her Brooklyn apartment. Maybe it is because she swears. For whatever reason, the Rev. Ann Kansfield does not fit the stereotype of a minister. Not that she is worried about meeting anyone’s expectations for what a clergywoman should say or do. “We shouldn’t have to hide ourselves or worry about being judged,” Ms. Kansfield, who ministers at the Greenpoint Reformed Church, said. In her newest ministry, that self-assuredness is likely to serve her well. Ms. Kansfield, 39, is to...