One truth is the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department is absolutely the best organization that I have ever had the pleasure of being associated with. I have always said, that the best thing I ever did, besides marrying my wife, and raising my family was to join this organization. Middlebury is lucky to have such a dedicated and caring group of people.
Another truth is that everything I have ever done as a member of the Department was for the benefit of my brother and sister firefighters and for the safety of Middlebury residents. That has always been the agenda.
The MVFD never got into politics. It was politics that drew in the MVFD. The door opened the moment when Mr. DeAngelis attempted to discredit Mr. St. John by filing an FOI request regarding documents Mr. St. John had signed when he was Chief, with Ph.D. following his signature. There was then a flood of attacks against the organization that continue even now.
The daily attacks on the MVFD, its Chief and Officers has been disgraceful. Lies and distortions, artificially generated to continue a bitter vendetta is detrimental to public safety. The attempt by outside forces to try to divide this Department is not in its best interests and hurts morale.
I was quoted in the paper several years ago saying, - “All I want to do is come down to the firehouse, jump on an engine and fight fires.” That holds true today. Last year I believe I attended more fire calls than anyone in the Department. Big deal. Its not because I had to. It was because I wanted to. I care about what happens to people.
The MVFD should stay out of politics. So stop drawing us in! Stop the attacks, the distortions, and the lies. Is the MVFD perfect? No its not. None of us are perfect, but we are doing the best job we know how to do. Firefighting is a noble attempt to try to bring some sort of stability in the face of utter chaos. I have been on the nozzle of some of the worse structure fires in Middlebury in the last 20 years. That is difficult enough. We don’t need to keep fighting fires started by the destructive rhetoric of those with political motivations.
This blog will go away when the distorted and shameful attacks on the MVFD cease.
James Redway
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7 comments:
Jim, thanks to you for all your dedication and hard work you have put into our department in the time I have been a member there. Whether people have agreed with you or not, you have always stayed true to your beliefs and principles, even in the face of attacks by others, and even knowing it could be detrimental to your own personal standing as an officer of the department. At least you will always be able to look in the mirror, and know that you tried to do what you felt was best for the MVFD, no matter what it might have cost you personally. All I can say is that I hope to see you continue to be an active part of the department, because people with your dedication are what make our department what it is, and always should be......The best damn fire department anywhere!!!
I agree totally. "Middlebury is lucky to have such a dedicated and caring group of people."
Thanks for providing the truth James. It is a crime that Eddie and his zombies are trying to ruin Middlebury.
Thanks Jim. This blog has given us an outlet to strike back at the forces of evil. The Kool Aid Krowd and flying monkeys will get whats due. Remember, cockroaches hate light...
Jim, I know I have said this numerous times, but I will say it again: I truely appreciate all of the hardwork that you do. It is crucial to this town that CORRECT information is brought forth to the community, and you have done this. I know the amount of time and effort you put into your writing, and the department should be grateful for everything you do. Most importantly you never ask for anything in return other than being able to ride fire trucks and put out fires.
We have an outstanding department and I hope we will continue to improve and grow stronger. I can honestly say I am proud to be a member, and I am happy to hear you will keep up the fight.
Thank you. I had an elequent appeal planned on the future of this blog but now it seems that is not necessary. As they say, History is what is written. Thank you for making sure OMP is not writting our towns history.
FD 72
Brother Firefighter,
You have been and continue to be an inspiration to us as a firefighter, an officer, a friend, and most recently as an unrelenting apologist for the MVFD.
To paraphrase Ronald Reagan, "Where do we find such men?".
Please do not speak in past tense. You have many days of fight left to you, and the department needs you more than ever. I see a time coming in the not so distant future when we shall receive a dispatch that simply reads ...."Jim is back".
SIC SEMPER TRYANNIS
If there was ever a reason to continue your blog, it is reflected in the following quote:
"It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn."
—George Washington, letter to the Legislature of Pennsylvania, September 5, 1789
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