Mayor's Comments From the Morning Journal
It seems that the Mayor needs glasses. Because what he said to the Morning Journal was very false in every comment. I was NEVER ASKED TO GO BEHIND THE YELLOW TAPE as the mayor said in this quote (Mayor Jim Swoger pointed out police did a good job clearing the area of other bystanders and Kerr.) http://www.morningjournalnews.com/page/content.detail/id/506109.html?nav=5006 Let me set the record straight. When I arrived on seen it was total chaos with people standing across the street from the fire and pretty much everywhere else. The police started putting the caution tape up around 6th street to keep the crowd back. It was at that point I started to help. I helped with moving the LARGE crowd back. When doing this I noticed one firefighter point to an unknown individual acting like he need a drink. So I sent my brother to giant eagle to purchase some Gatorade and water for the firefighters and paramedics. So what the mayor could not see was a Concerned Councilman giving water and Gatorade to the exhausted firemen. Another thing he didn't mention was that there was Ryan Stoval, John Torma, Sherrie Curtis also there trying to help. Ryan called the red cross to get help for some residence that was displaced because of the smoke and fire. Now the last thing the response to call in the township. First I have always stood by the fire department and still do. This was a fire they had under control till it got to some sort of chemicals and then all hell broke loss. A city firemen almost fell off the roof because the flames just burst thought the roof. Then they called in the township which arrived to the scene with 11 firefighters and the Chief. They were to stand by at central station till called which was about 20 minutes after they arrived. The second call went out around 11:30 to Wellsville's requesting there ladder truck. Red Cross arrived before the Wellsville's truck. At that point I started Helping the red cross staff in passing out coffee, donut's and water to the firefighters and police force. Also in the article it states I was escorted out of there. That is not true at all. I stayed until 12:30 am helping the red cross and make sure the visiting fire fighters were thanked for there hard work. So I will end it with this, if the Mayor has something to say then why is it that we have 3 firemen lay ed off and not one of them have been called back. If this was Thompson park pool the Mayor would hire some life guards, no wait he is the only Mayor in Ohio that is a Lifeguard. If he put as much thought into the city as he does that pool, we would not have the problems we do.
Councilman Kerr
Councilman Kerr
I was at the fire last night with you, Councilman Kerr... I introduced myself to you and we had some discussion. First off, i'm sure the fire department welcomes any light shed on the situation, because unfortuantely, it takes "chaos" as you describe it to take place before anyone listens. I am a little disappointed though that WHILE the situation was going on, criticism was being laid on the fireman who were working their tails off. As a city administrator, it is YOUR JOB, or that of the safety service director, to know what's going on for any given day at the fire department, police department, or so forth. To correct your entry above, there are SEVEN guys who have been laid off from the city fire department in the last 5 years. One of those guys has over 13 years of service to this city and was a ranking officer with the department when the layoffs occurred. That being said, I understand the monetary problems of the city. All of the guys do. But they continue to serve and work their tails off. My question is, as a city adminstrator, surely you saw or attended the retirement ceremony for Ray Perorazio two weeks ago. Did you or any other city officials inquire how this left the man power situation for the city? Currently they have another fire fighter who is off on sick leave and probably not returning. Yesterday when the inital call was dispatched, there were TWO guys on duty covering and protecting this whole city. TWO GUYS. At it's peak when I was still on the job, with a full compliment of crews on any given day, we had 9 guys. It was possible to fight fire then... it was possible to do your job then and know you had two or three other trucks coming to support and back you up. Yesterday, those two guys arrived and were able to hook up a hydrant and exteriorly fight a fire. Nobody could make entry and attempt to fight fire the way it's supposed to be done. And that's not their fault. Unfortunately, we can shed as much light on this issue as possible, but the bottom line will come down to money. The city has none and therefore, what can you do? I don't entirely blame this current adminstration; I mean look at the economy as a whole... but it's sad that it takes a fire like last night to draw attention to this. It's sad that someone may have had to get hurt before adminstration began to dig deeper into this problem. The guys who do work there deserve a huge thank you for working short handed and risking their lives knowing the risks. They don't deserve criticism or calling it total "chaos." Other than the lack of manpower, I wouldn't describe it as "chaos." As for the township being called, that was the right thing to do, and they did a good job assisting the city guys. I'm sure they appreciated it. There will be a huge call and outcry regarding when they were called and if it was too late, the bottom line is, the city fire department should be manned and staff, supported by the adminstration and that would solve it.
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Matt,
When I refer to "chaos" it was the scene that was going on around the fire. People came out like it was a Christmas parade. I was not referring to the fire department doing there job. As I said to you last night, I am on the fire departments side. What they did last night fighting that fire makes me feel safe that I live in a city with a fire department like that. They should be proud of what they did and everyone when home safe. Safe is a word that should be used while referring to the fire department because with a force that small when everyone goes home alive it is a victory.
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Greetings Councilman Kerr,
I myself was en route to watch the big fire myself. Coming down over Lisbon Street the smoke and glow was very dismal to think of tall that was being lost. First off i commend you on your efforts to assist the firefighters and medics that where there to help. However i would like to ask you if you need a new watch. Before i made it to the bottom of the hill Liverpool Township was toned out. At this same time my department was toned out for stand by for Liverpool Township. By the time i made it threw Laycroft one of their fire trucks passed me. By the time i made it to Glenmoor (mind you doing the speed limit as we do not respond red lights and sirens for stand bys.) Liverpool Township had two trucks in the city and where being placed for operations. It was not 20 minutes after they made it to Central Station. Perhaps you should talk to Chief Barcus as how that went. As the help he called in was miss directed by some firefighter with to much PRIDE to want them there. In all your back patting i do not see a thank you to Township Firefighters or Wellsville Firefighters. These men came to the aid of the City in a time of NEED. And yes i said NEED. That fire was far from being under control. It was only moments after the fire went threw the roof that the call for help came. Aid given to your city fireman and yet you still blow them off as not being of any difference. Even though its not my city i will say it. THANKS to the VOLUNTEERS that showed up to help.. to assist with out care of paid or not. To help a community that needed it. Admit it or not even with City Firefighters putting in an amazing effort that fire was far to much for 9 guys. Pat them on the back for every ounce of effort they put in and the outstanding job they did. For Township Firefighters and Wellsville Firefighters their efforts are tossed as unwanted and unneeded by some. With all they did the big deal was about a stupid piece of tape. Thank your firefighters for all they did. Thank Township and Wellsville firefighters for all they did. Leave your political pissing match for another day. This day was not about you or the mayor. It was about the efforts of FIREFIGHTERS.
MAXL
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It was a good 20 minutes that the firefighters from liverpool township stood around. They were on stand by across from the elks. I would say about 8 guys or so.
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Ask Around the people of the FD world my friend. they stood around because that is what they was instrusted to do my Asst. Chief Jones. it was not till Cheif Barcus called that they be used did they come into the picture. thats the way we train in the townships. we dont just show up and freelance as we see fit..we await command from the higher ups.
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Well to your question of patting on the back, you are wrong on that one. I went to as many and if not all of the guys and thanked them personally that night. Those guys worked like they were all one big department and it was much appreciated. If you ask them I was the guy with the coffee, donuts and water.
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I no longer live in this area any more but am quite concerned about the problems faced by the city. I went several times to the pool this last summer and enjoyed it on the week days. However, when i attended the pool on a Sunday I was amazed at the fact that there was only one lifeguard and she was not doing her job!!! Boys were climbing onto the lifeguards station and diving off of it. Not until the other male lifeguard arrived did things settle down. It was not an enjoyable day for my wife and I who looked forward to coming into town to have a carefree time in the pool.
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Are you sure it was a girl and not the Mayor with a wig on?
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Mr. Kerr,
When I read the paper, I read it that you were refering to the firemen when you stated it was total chaos. I do take umbrage with your insult to the Mayor. Thompson Park swimming pool is a very necessary part of doing something for the kids. I've not seen any council member take that kind of interest in the kids of EL. I do know it takes both the mayor and council to do something about the economic situation in EL and for you to sit there and pot shots at the mayor like it is all his fault is wrong. Instead of taking pot shots offer real criticism then back it up with a plan of action. Thank you.
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First I never said the Mayor never does anything for the kids of East Liverpool. That is one thing I can agree the Mayor does do. What I was saying is when I am out at different public functions I always here him talk about the pool and that he is the ONLY MAYOR that is a lifeguard in the state of Ohio. If you want to talk about people doing stuff for the kids then lets talk about Gary Ryan the director of the city health department. He has put some wonderful things together over the past summer that my kids and my wife loved. It was a great time to be had by all.
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"Councilman Kerr wrote:
Are you sure it was a girl and not the Mayor with a wig on?"
You've shown your foolishness many times, but this is probably the most childish statement you've made to date.
How old are you: 10?
You owe the mayor an apology for this childish remark.
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You are right, this has gone too far. I am sorry to accuse the mayor of wearing a wig
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You are a very arrogant person. You def have a beef with the current mayor. but as a council person these remarks only show how childish and unproffesional that you really are. You dont deserve to be on any council for that matter
You are a fool to ever think you would get the Mayors seat. And we all see the badgering you do on him that is what you are after. Try to discredit the current mayor.
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To ME:
Hey will you let off a little, Brian apoligized for his comment on the mayor. You sound like a very unhappy person. The mayor should worry about his position for one reason only--- what exactly has he done since he has been elected to office?
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No need to let off. give more time and he will shoot off at the mouth again. The point is . He is a council person. not John Q Public. The comments shouldnt have been made to start with. Brian is a snake. nothing more. and will lie , manipulate or whatever he has to do to get ahead. thats not someone I would put my trust in
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To Me again
Now, who is the one being childish????A snake? Someone that is a snake doesn't try to get a smutt bars shut down, do they? Sounds like you have a personal problem with the man,,, You got alot of nerve to come on his blog and say some pretty mean things.
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I can be childish. I am not running in public office. A personal problem with Brian. naw. Just dont care for him and his sneaky ways. Trust me I am not the only one who feels this way about him. As far as him having smut bars shut down. Do you really think this is a great accomplishment. That bar would be shut down, tore down sooner or later anyway. If that is what you wave your flag for him for, then I feel sorry for you as well. He seems to have a real problem running his mouth about alot of people and really doing nothing with REAL meaning.
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It is nice to see someone like brian to speak up but when it comes down to fire departments he who knows nothing about fighting fires should leave comments and opinions out of public view. Maybe people should leave brian alone and ask Mr Estell what might have happened if the fire chief had been off with the so called charges filed on him? 99% sure the fire would have been alot worse with the asst chief calling all the shots.
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Outsider, give me a break. That fire had the potential to be alot worse than it did no matter who was calling the shots. Say what you wish but Asst. Chief Jones is a more than capable fireman that can handle ANY emergency that he comes across. If my house was on fire he can call the shots any day. Also, I hope for your sake that if you ever are injured or sick in ELO that you have a paramedic as capable as Asst. Chief Jones to take care of you.
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I've read over the threads, i'm not sure where someone spoke ill of Chief Jones... if that's the case, someone needs their head examined. The city could only hope Barcus step down and Bill Jones assume the position. Chief knows the job, the city, and the needs of the department. Anyone that thinks otherwise is uninformed and ignorant to the situation.
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You go guy. Keep them on their toes. I celebrate youth.
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