Posted on 06/13/2006 5:36:03 PM PDT by Loyalist
The entire volunteer fire department in a Newfoundland town has resigned, following a new policy that forbids drinking alcohol in the local fire hall.
The Point Leamington fire hall had doubled for years as an unofficial bar for the community of about 700 on the island's northeast coast.
Fire Chief Fraser Stuckless said he complied with a town order this spring to stop selling booze to the public.
However, he said the force of a dozen firefighters should still be allowed to enjoy a drink on special occasions.
"The other fire departments, they do have alcohol . The alcohol is there for personal use for the firemen and, as far as I'm concerned, we should be allowed to do the same," said Stuckless.
However, Mayor Robert Elliott says past problems at the hall prompted the town council to take a firm position.
"The fire department has been told [on] many, many occasions, you can't sell beer. On many occasions they've never listened," Elliott said.
"This is the only solution we saw. Take it out, [and] then you can't sell what's not there."
Ruth Rideout said she and other residents are concerned about the possible loss of fire services, and why council is being so adamant on the issue.
"Is it that someone turned up drunk to a fire? We don't know. Or is it just that council wants to clean house? We don't know that either," she said.
"But I think as a town we're entitled to some answers."
The withdrawal will not leave Point Leamington altogether in the lurch. While the force will no longer do routine work from the fire hall, Stuckless said members will respond to emergency calls.
No firewater, no fire!
In the little town where I grew up the fire station was right across the alley from the bar. When there was a fire, the firemen all ran out the back door of the bar to the fire station, got in the trucks and went to watch somebody's house burn down. They saved a lot of basements.
Long as they have a designated driver, who cares?
I can't say I blame them. I understand that elbow bending is the number one Newf game.
Nora: Is that my drink over there?
Nick: What are you drinking?
Nora: Rye.
Nick: (He picks up the glass and slugs down its contents.) Yes. That's yours.
ROTFLMAO That's funny. :-)
Unless it's your basement they save.
I got to agree with these guys. If you don't make a stand now next it'll be tobacco, then deep fried foods before you know it they won't even be allowed sugar for their coffee.
Stop those canadian nannies now....before they become soccer moms & turn your life into their hobby.
Key word highlighted.
They just de-volunteered.
They weren't fired.
They weren't suspended.
They just forcefully announced that they didn't like a condition placed on their voluntarily community service. I like that.
Maybe some tetotalers will volunteeer to show up at the fires.
The only appropriate response to nanny state baloney.
Most of our volenteer firemen are not arrested for drunk driving, they are arrested for arson.
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