Taking councilors to task

To the editor:

I wish to address the constituents at the Derry town hall who voted not to renew the contract for the firefighters in Derry. The people I am talking about are Kevin Coyle, Beverly Ferrante, Janet Fairbanks and Brent Carney. How can the four of you decide the fate of the brave firefighters who go out and risk their lives for people like you and me? Can you sleep well at night knowing you deprived these fine, hard-working people who everyday put their lives on the line? The families that do not know if when they leave the house they will be coming back home.

I think they should get everything they want in the contract. Do you four vote "No" when your raises are due? I think not. The property taxes go up every year and some of us cannot afford to live in Derry, but you four who get your contracts or pay raises every year or two do not have to worry about that. You know the firefighters cannot strike so you also know you have them over a barrel.

Are there people in Derry who would agree with me? These firefighters risk their life to save us first and even try to our save animals; why should they not have a pay raise and better benefits? I bet all of you in the town hall have good benefits. In fact I know you do, because I know several people who work in the town hall.

If other Derry News readers agree with me at all, please write in to the Derry News and maybe we can have a town hearing in which we can all participate and voice our opinions. Let's not leave the firefighters' lives and contracts or the jobs they do daily in the hands of four people. I think it is outrageous to say the least. If any of you Derry people have had to have the Fire Department there for a house fire or whatever would you like to know they are appreciated by all the people not just a chosen few.

Kathy King

Derry