1 Comments:

 Anonymous said...

This email was sent to a friend of mine and she sent it to me. It came from Mayor Slay's office.

During a recent radio interview on Majic’s “Sunday Morning Live” program, members of F.I.R.E. made a number of false allegations against me and my administration concerning the St. Louis Fire Department. I think it is important that you know the truth.

I do not now, nor have I ever, wanted to fire Chief Sherman George. People who have followed my career know that I have made changes in my administration when I felt they were necessary. If I wanted to fire Chief George, I would have done so at the start of my second term. I didn’t.

It is true that we hold all of our department heads, divisional leaders, and managers accountable—regardless of race or gender. The taxpayers expect and demand that of me and all elected officials. I demand it of every member of my administration from the receptionist to the chief of staff. My administration works every day to deliver City services more effective and efficient. The Fire Department is no exception. A few years ago, I was criticized for asking Chief George to investigate a number of accidents. What people do not remember is that the Chief’s own investigation found that every single accident could have been prevented. Since that time, the numbers of accidents in the Fire Department have dropped.

Our customers deserve the best service we can provide with the resources we have. When people want to invest money in our neighborhoods, hire our residents, redevelop dilapidated buildings, or build new housing, they want us to do our jobs professionally, in a timely manner, and in a way that protects public safety. I expect that as well. My administration is committed to providing excellent service to our customers and to protect public safety. I will never compromise safety or take short cuts.

Members of F.I.R.E. also tried to blame me for the end of the City’s practice of hiring the same number of African American and white firefighters. They know that is groundless and not true. My administration fought to keep the 50-50 hiring practice in place. We defended it in court. Unfortunately, a federal judge ruled against us. We are now appealing his ruling.

Some people like to compare the decision-making authority of Chief George to that of Chief Mokwa. It is like apples and oranges. The Police Department is a State agency. The Police Chief reports to the Police Board, not the Mayor of the City of St. Louis. Under the City Charter, the Fire Chief reports to the Director of Public Safety, who then reports to the Mayor. I have lobbied the state legislature and the governor to give us our police department back. So far, they have declined.

Our City is undergoing a revitalization that is being recognized by the rest of the country. Our City is growing after five decades of losing population to the suburbs. We have witnessed new housing and new opportunities in every corner of the City. Our City is a better place today than five years ago. I am convinced it will be even better five years from now.

There are people who want to reverse that progress for their own political gain. I only ask that when allegations are made against me and my administration, you keep an open mind until you learn all of the facts.

Thank you very much for everything you do to make St. Louis a more economically sound and culturally diverse city.

6/18/2006 8:05 PM

 

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