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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />OCTOBER 28, 1992 <br />Hanson stated that the City Council does not object to <br />hearing what is wrong with the City, however, it does <br />not often hear what is right with it. <br />Scalze stated that she hoped that citizens were not <br />nervous about coming in to the Council to discuss <br />concerns. Scalze felt that the Council can do its job <br />better by hearing the criticism that is out there, and <br />citizens should feel they can challenge the Council. <br />Mike Fahey, representing the Little Canada Fire <br />Department, reported that he is proud to have served as <br />a fire fighter for the past 18 years. Fahey reported <br />that the Fire Department is a grass roots organization <br />that has operated in the City for the past 45 years, as <br />has the LCRA. Fahey felt that without these <br />organizations and the citizen participation in these <br />organizations, Little Canada would not be the good City <br />it is today. Fahey noted that over the past 45 years <br />members of the Fire Department, as well as the LCRA, <br />have served the City in many other capacities, such as <br />Mayor, Council Member, City Clerk, Planning Commission <br />member, volunteer coach, etc. Every position of <br />responsibility within the City has been held by various <br />members of these organizations, not because the Fire <br />Department and LCRA are special interest groups, but <br />because the type of people who are members of these <br />groups also care about the City and are involved in the <br />City. Fahey felt that Mr. Clasen should have come to <br />the Fire Department directly with his concerns. Fahey <br />stated that the Fire Department is willing to meet with <br />any individual or qroup and open its books to the <br />public and provide answers. Fahey felt that <br />half-truths and innuendos were tarnishing the image of <br />the City Council and Fire Department. <br />Fahey also pointed out that fire fighters do not <br />receive $7 per hour for fire calls, but rather $7 per <br />fire call no matter how long the fire call. <br />Fahey noted that the City Council has always had input <br />and control over the annual budget of the Fire <br />Department. There have been differences of opinion <br />between the City Council and Fire Department on budget <br />issues, but these have always been resolved. <br />Fahey felt that good citizens should be involved and <br />concerned with their City, and reported that the Fire <br />Department welcomed citizens to ask questions and get <br />facts. Fahey also reported that 90% of volunteer fire <br />departments compensate their members. Fahey stated <br />that cities will not get many people to leave their <br />homes and families and put their lives on the line for <br />Page 22 <br />