To the editor:
As you might have read in the newspaper or seen on the local news, the Cape Coral Professional Fire Fighters Local 2424 of the IAFF and the City of Cape Coral have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement after more than two years of negotiations.
I would like to thank interim City Manager Steve Pohlman and Finance Director Vicki Bateman, as well as their supporting staff.
I would also like to thank the majority of our City Council for showing their support in ratifying the agreement between the City and the Cape Coral Professional Fire Fighters Local 2424. I am disappointed that two members could not agree to the agreement as it will save the City and taxpayers several million dollars over the next couple of years. However, that's in the past, and we must now move on.
The concessions contained within this agreement were a difficult decision for the fire fighters to accept. However, due to the tough economy of the past few years, the fire fighters felt it was in the best interest of the citizens of Cape Coral to accept these concessions. These concessions contained in this agreement come on top of voluntary pay freezes since 2008.
This agreement is the next step in getting our City back on track and it's also the beginning of the process of healing and moving our City forward. I've asked City Council that, in the future, they move cautiously with the City's budgets, especially when it comes to Public Safety. This job is dangerous, these brave men and women are exposed to harmful diseases and toxins every day, that is on top of the innocence each and every one of us loses from the things we see and do every day. We accept these things, however we ask that the City provide us with a fair compensation package and fund the benefits that have been agreed to when we entered into this profession.
Since taking on this new role as the President of the Cape Coral Professional Fire Fighters L2424, I've expressed to every member of this City Council that it is imperative we all work together in a positive manner to make this City better than it has ever been. This Council has many difficult decisions in front of them. They must make their decisions objectively and not base their votes on a philosophy or a special interest. Governing with fear cannot be accepted, and those that govern in that manner shall be held accountable for misleading the voters.
Cape Coral is a great City offering top-of-the-line services. Every department within this City is staffed with dedicated employees that want to make this City the best it can be. It is time that Cape Coral becomes united. It is in our best interest to strive for greatness! The potential is there; it is going to be up to the people to make a difference for the better. Go meet your neighbors, smile, wave, go to one of many great parks, or events the City holds, go out and make a difference. Doing good is contagious, and this City will only be as good as we the people can make it. Doing good will attract new residents and new business, which in turn will broaden the tax base and relieve us all to pay for the great services which we already receive. I thank you for the time you spent reading this, now put the paper down and go out and enjoy the beautiful City of Cape Coral, along with this great weather and sunshine! Be safe!
Respectfully,
Brendan Fonock
President of the Cape Coral
Professional Fire Fighters
