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Thursday, September 06, 2007
George Ordered to Make Promotions
Mayor Francis Slay and his public safety director, Sam Simon, have issued another — much stronger — ultimatum to Fire Chief Sherman George: promote by next Friday or face disciplinary action. Click here to read Simon's letter (via KSDK).
It is the responsibility of the chief to staff the department. If he is failing then he needs to go. If he does not like the previous results he should dumb down the test next time. Everyone in the city is at risk because of lacking command staff. Just fill the spots and move on. The way it stands the looks like a racist.
We all know that the racist Local 73 members posted the first 2 postings! You whiny punks and that damn whiny Slay cannot force the great Chief George to promote,the city charter gives him the sole decision of making promotions!Slay's ultimatum to Chief George will be remembered by the black community and whatever political aspirations he has in the city of St. Louis will be squashed by the black vote!
Let's cut to the chase. The FEDERAL COURTS have determined, on the basis of LAW, that the promotion test did not meet any of the standards by which it would be considered UNDER LAW as discriminatory, and the FEDERAL JUDGE indicated that there is NO LONGER ANY BASIS UNDER LAW for the city to delay making promotions from the list of qualified candidates.
Whether you agree with the Chief's position or not is immaterial. He has a responsibility to do his job according to city ordinance, and he has not. He has now received a direct and lawful order from his immediate supervisor (ACCORDING TO CITY CHARTER, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY AND DIRECT SUPERVISOR OF THE CHIEF/FIRE COMMISSIONER) to proceed with promotions.
THe only way for him to lawfully refuse an order from his superior is if in his best judgment, such an order would violate law or ethical policies of the city.
Clearly, in light of the FEDERAL COURT RULING, he cannot claim that circumstance, which leaves him in a pickle. Make the promotions, and work for changes in the next test, or disobey and be subject to disciplinary action for insubordination, according to city personnel policy and under the mandate of the City Charter.
You cant change the rules because you dont agree with the potential outcome. Change the charter, amend the ordinances -- that's fine. But follow the law in the meantime.
If he doesnt do it, he should be prepared for the LEGAL CONSEQUENCES of his decision.
I am neither a firefighter, nor a city employee. I am not a retired firefighter or city employee. In fact, I really like Chief George and know him well.
But its time for him to **** or get off the pot.
If he were an employee of mine, it wouldnt be a question. Follow the lawful and legitimate mandate of your employer or get another job.
We dont have to agree on policy, but if I am the boss, and you are the employee, at the end of the day, you follow the policy that has been established, or you get another job.
What is so complicated about that?
Instead of all the gnashing of teeth and the sylvester brown columns about racism, lets deal with the facts instead of opinion shopping every time you dont get the results you want.
Its like a petulant child who gets a no from mom and tries a circuitous way around by appealing to dad for another opinion.
Let's move on. Make the promotions, then mobilize your forces to bring pressure on the personnel director (WHO IS ALSO INDEPENDENT OF DIRECT CITY HALL CONTROL) to revise the procedures and testing methodology moving forward.
Chief, you are a good man, and a capable leader. Don't burn the house down to make a point.
While Slay cannot force George to promote, can he force George to resign, or just outright fire, pun intended, him?
While I am not the biggest fan of Slay, the facts seem to be on his side. A court found the test was valid, meaningful, non-discriminatory etc. What other standard should there be?
the only racist organization in the St Louis Fire Dpt. is F.I.R.E they are the only group who discriminate.All races and genders make up the membership of local 73.F.I.R.E refuses to accept any race other than blacks into thier membership.That is racist.
Why don’t we blame the teachers of SLPS I am sure they are the cause for these poor incompetent black firefighters for not passing their test. When will urban blacks stop whining and face the facts? If you are not going to rise up and accept the fact that you need additional training then find another job. I find it interesting that other fire departments do not seem to have this problem. Didn’t black firefighters from other fire district have to pass tests to become drivers, paramedics, and chiefs? You can’t tell me that St. Louis Fire Department is the only one that hires black fire fighters. Is it that they want COMPETENT firefighters despite their race, religion, or sex? I want someone who knows what they are doing getting me out of a burning building, out of a car. I could care less what color, sex, or religion they are.
It is the responsibility of the chief to staff the department. If he is failing then he needs to go. If he does not like the previous results he should dumb down the test next time. Everyone in the city is at risk because of lacking command staff. Just fill the spots and move on. The way it stands the looks like a racist.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I have seen Chief George interviewed he comes across very poorly. He is not doing his job and it is time for him to go.
ReplyDeleteWe all know that the racist Local 73 members posted the first 2 postings! You whiny punks and that damn whiny Slay cannot force the great Chief George to promote,the city charter gives him the sole decision of making promotions!Slay's ultimatum to Chief George will be remembered by the black community and whatever political aspirations he has in the city of St. Louis will be squashed by the black vote!
ReplyDeleteLet's cut to the chase. The FEDERAL COURTS have determined, on the basis of LAW, that the promotion test did not meet any of the standards by which it would be considered UNDER LAW as discriminatory, and the FEDERAL JUDGE indicated that there is NO LONGER ANY BASIS UNDER LAW for the city to delay making promotions from the list of qualified candidates.
ReplyDeleteWhether you agree with the Chief's position or not is immaterial. He has a responsibility to do his job according to city ordinance, and he has not. He has now received a direct and lawful order from his immediate supervisor (ACCORDING TO CITY CHARTER, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY AND DIRECT SUPERVISOR OF THE CHIEF/FIRE COMMISSIONER) to proceed with promotions.
THe only way for him to lawfully refuse an order from his superior is if in his best judgment, such an order would violate law or ethical policies of the city.
Clearly, in light of the FEDERAL COURT RULING, he cannot claim that circumstance, which leaves him in a pickle. Make the promotions, and work for changes in the next test, or disobey and be subject to disciplinary action for insubordination, according to city personnel policy and under the mandate of the City Charter.
You cant change the rules because you dont agree with the potential outcome. Change the charter, amend the ordinances -- that's fine. But follow the law in the meantime.
If he doesnt do it, he should be prepared for the LEGAL CONSEQUENCES of his decision.
I am neither a firefighter, nor a city employee. I am not a retired firefighter or city employee. In fact, I really like Chief George and know him well.
But its time for him to **** or get off the pot.
If he were an employee of mine, it wouldnt be a question. Follow the lawful and legitimate mandate of your employer or get another job.
We dont have to agree on policy, but if I am the boss, and you are the employee, at the end of the day, you follow the policy that has been established, or you get another job.
What is so complicated about that?
Instead of all the gnashing of teeth and the sylvester brown columns about racism, lets deal with the facts instead of opinion shopping every time you dont get the results you want.
Its like a petulant child who gets a no from mom and tries a circuitous way around by appealing to dad for another opinion.
Let's move on. Make the promotions, then mobilize your forces to bring pressure on the personnel director (WHO IS ALSO INDEPENDENT OF DIRECT CITY HALL CONTROL) to revise the procedures and testing methodology moving forward.
Chief, you are a good man, and a capable leader. Don't burn the house down to make a point.
While Slay cannot force George to promote, can he force George to resign, or just outright fire, pun intended, him?
ReplyDeleteWhile I am not the biggest fan of Slay, the facts seem to be on his side. A court found the test was valid, meaningful, non-discriminatory etc. What other standard should there be?
the only racist organization in the St Louis Fire Dpt. is F.I.R.E they are the only group who discriminate.All races and genders make up the membership of local 73.F.I.R.E refuses to accept any race other than blacks into thier membership.That is racist.
ReplyDeleteWhy don’t we blame the teachers of SLPS I am sure they are the cause for these poor incompetent black firefighters for not passing their test. When will urban blacks stop whining and face the facts? If you are not going to rise up and accept the fact that you need additional training then find another job. I find it interesting that other fire departments do not seem to have this problem. Didn’t black firefighters from other fire district have to pass tests to become drivers, paramedics, and chiefs? You can’t tell me that St. Louis Fire Department is the only one that hires black fire fighters. Is it that they want COMPETENT firefighters despite their race, religion, or sex? I want someone who knows what they are doing getting me out of a burning building, out of a car. I could care less what color, sex, or religion they are.
ReplyDeleteNot all posting are coming directly from Local 73.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 9/07/2007 8:40 AM . . .
is actually Charlie "Iwannablikethem" Bryson, a "black" "man" in the mayor's office.
We have to call'em out when we find'em!!!!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteTo the Anon posts at 11:58 and 1:05, no, I did not post nor will I post on this issue.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the rest of the crap that the two of you have implied, you can say it directly to me if you have the decency to do so.
Sincerely,
Charles Bryson
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeletePlease keep the attacks political and not personal. Thank you.
ReplyDelete