Sometimes elected officials don’t know a good deal if it slapped them in the face. That’s the case with the North Central Fire Protection District board members. They deadlocked 2-2 again on a proposal to have the city of Fresno take over fire protection, giving them better coverage at a reasonable price. But the North Central board -- at least two members -- seem paralyzed by the prospect of having to make a decision of this magnitude.
Board chairwoman Cheryl Belluomini and board member Ken Abrahamian opposed the $4.33 million contract with the city. Three "yes" votes are needed to make a decision, and the opponents are blocking the majority vote by standing pat.
Everyone who spoke at the meeting Wednesday favored the contract. The firefighters union supports it. Residents support it. Apparently only Belluomini and Abrahamian oppose it, and they sure haven't explained their reasoning very well. Whose interests are these board members looking out for?
Board member Dennis Yates said he does not understand why Belluomini and Abrahamian are are opposed. I don’t either. It doesn't make sense, especially if you are interested in improved fire protection for North Central residents.
I think we are getting accustomed to our public officials being irrational. Where are the great public servants of the past in Fresno? Donaldson, Krebs, Hahesy, Moore, Rodriguez. Why aren't intelligent and dedicated folks serving in large numbers? Where is our sense of outrage?
The fact is, as best I can tell, Belluomini and Abrahamian have completely forgotten their charge -- namely to ensure that the North Central district has perpetual and adequate fire protection and emergency medical services.
Without a change, the fact is, it's only a matter of time before the North Central district is underfunded, and can no longer survive. And both Belluomini and Abrahamian readily admit to this (they did last month when they voted against this plan). Yet they decline to specifically state their concerns, nor have they proposed an alternative plan!
The fact is, this plan works! The North Central district wins (which is better than the alternative; in Mr. Abrahamian's own words, the district is inevitably destined, if we maintain the status quo, for station shutdowns, and firefighter layoffs)! Yet these two, despite OVERWHELMING public support for the plan, vote no, WITH NO STATED REASON, WHATSOEVER! Unconscionable! Makes me wonder, who is driving these two? Who's directing them?
They definitely have no regard WHATSOEVER for we, the public, who elected them, and entrusted our district to them!
Weren't these individuals elected to make these tough decisions? Mr. Abrahamian and Ms. Belluomini thought it was a great idea to let the voters decide. It would also be nice if they would tell the voters the truth about the contract and not deceive them into thinking that Measure "B" is a bad thing. These two don't even have a back up plan should Measure "B" not pan out. Myself, as well as others are outraged at their arrogance and incompetence. They have no business trying to run a fire dept.