How can anyone think it is ok to collect charitable donations when on duty in a civilian job? Public employees simply don’t understand they are being paid by the public to fulfill a service, not do anything they seem fit. When a large portion of the public is unemployed yet still paying their taxes, how can they accept paying someone else as a public servant to collect cash? CRAZY!

And let the bashing begin.

I used the Mayor’s hotline to complain. I received a very nice call from Bruce Rankin, Division Chief. This has been going on for forty years and is a national tradition. Safety was not compromised. The firefighters are trained to stand in traffic. The onduty firefighters were in the first lane of traffic, close to their trucks. They had radios and were available for quick response.

The firefighters received official permission from the City Council several years ago. I would like to know how to get permission to slow down traffic and solicit donations for my favorite charity.

Totally disagree with you on this one, Dave. I know its fun for others to pick on union members, but Boise Fire is as good as it gets. These guys (and gals) risk their lives and we should be happy to let them do something to help others. I bet if Micron or somebody else wanted to get permission from the City to solicit support for a worthy charitable cause they’d likely get the okay. Frankly, its tough to understand how anyone could find this objectionable, especially the anti-government crowd. By soliciting private voluntary donations, they are reducing the need for government to raise taxes to provide the care to the beneficiaries. I guess some people can never be happy.

EDITOR NOTE–You are missing the point Brandon. The issue is doing the union charity while ON DUTY. No one has a problem with the charity work. Micron workers doing the same thing during duty hours don’t get paid by taxpayers. The cause is noble.

Branden,

Not one person objected to the “charitable act”. The objection was to “tax dollars” being used to pay wages to accomplish the task itself.

Your comments twisted the whole purpose of the article itself to meet your own liberal agenda. Frankly, I am offended by your attempt to whitewash the issue. Typical Democrat spin job.

“reducing the need for government to raise taxes to provide care to the beneficiaries”. Really Branden?

You should appreciate Dave’s kind response. He was much more “charitable” in his comments than I would have been.

Thanks Branden for reminding the Unions to make contributions to your next political campaign.

Who picked the charity they raise money for? Why don’t they raise money for local charities?

Nate – I didn’t realize I had a liberal agenda, so thanks for filling me in. I guess if my liberal agenda is supporting the public safety officers in Boise provide for charity then I am happy with the charge. In terms of the “tax dollars” being spent, if you don’t like it then run for Boise City Council or have someone you know and get them to stop.

JJ – They don’t need to be reminded. They know who fights for the middle class and who doesn’t.

Why “gently”. They are ripping us all off and have the nerve to act all noble about it. This is entitlement gone too far. It is a prime example of what’s wrong with this country. Dave, could you post the pay scales of the fire department please… just help people see clearly on this. Probably counting it for overtime too?

Do they contribute to everyone? No. But should we halt the benefit to one group because they can’t give to every group? Who wins there?

I am perfectly content that my tax dollars go to providing fire protection and help a good cause at the same time. This might be one of the few where they can do both and still meet their job duties.

Let’s see…two days a year, instead waiting at the fire station, fire fighters multi-task and do some good for a charity they have decided to help.

Two days…in the grand scale of things, I really think this is a miniscule issue to complain about.

I see both sides of the story and understand the motives. This story maybe lacking some numbers of those on duty. “Some” in my business means 11-25%. Are we talking about this many or over 50%?

Should we complain about teachers collecting for the IEA Children’s Fund too? I am sure there are other examples too.

Branden,

Why is the only solution to concerns over government “If you don’t like it run for office?” In a representative system why can’t we tell our representatives, and in this case Council members?

Why can’t we write on these pages and others? Letters and phone calls to our representatives? March and carry signs? Are you saying we shouldn’t do these things?

I hope not because that is scary.

Note to Sponge Bob, Mail carriers are not holding up traffic with their annual food drive.

Fill the boot is a national deal? Since when did this tradition start? I have lived in a number of places in my 65 years and Idaho is the only place I have ever seen this sort of thing and only in the last decade or so have I seen this activity.

Here’s a thought, the Fire Guys are on the payroll while doing this, why don’t they donate their pay received filling the boot? I find this “tradition” a very dangerous practice akin to looky loo people at a traffic accident and all the traffic back up and potential for harm to citizens, their property (vehicles) and to firemen in the flow of traffic. The value of this activity against the risks doesn’t make sense.

If you, like myself, do not approve then do not donate. If they don’t make money then they have no good reason to do this stunt.

Branden,

Let’s see, you included a comment about the “anti-government crowd” in your response, and no one had taken that turn yet.

You also intimate that without this exact type of activity, you would be all for raising taxes to give money to the “beneficiaries”.

The reason you don’t see Micron employee’s on the clock soliciting donations is because management knows that specific activity would be held accountable to the stockholders (taxpayers), do you get it now.

Your initial comment and subsequent response is so blatantly righteous it’s pathetic.

The reason you got beat in your last election is because you don’t LISTEN to your constituents. You see, I shouldn’t have to run for office to get my wishes realized. I simply call my Councilperson, or legislator, and let them know how I want them to vote. The public servant, hearing from many others, realizes he/she is there to carry out our wishes, follows suit.

See how that works.

I repeat, typical liberal Democrat spin job.

Brandon is correct. I know who is fighting for the middle class and who isn’t.

Cyclops,

As mentioned in an earlier post, Branden got beat in his last election attempt. He holds no elected office.

You are, in effect, correct, he only fights for himself, or, his future election.

However, as his constituency voted him out of office, I can only surmise that it must have been because they didn’t feel he was “fighting for them”.

Amazing the way that works, isn’t it.

Branden just doesn’t get it. Probably never will from the tone in his posts.