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Lee Browns Clintonian Legacy - Houston, Texas
The Houston Chronicle ^ | October 18, 2001 | John Williams

Posted on 10/18/2001 7:09:34 AM PDT by Alkhin

A call for action amid tears

Widow urges staff increase in eulogy for fallen firefighter

By ROMA KHANNA
Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle

As thousands mourned fallen fire Capt. Jay P. Jahnke, his widow used her eulogy Wednesday to urge city officials to staff Houston's firetrucks with more firefighters to prevent future deaths.

"The other day I asked Jay how they can continue to allow the department to ride short," Dawn Jahnke said through tears. "His response was simple: `Heck, I don't know. I guess someone is going to have to die before they get it.'

"So I appeal to you, the people have a voice and a voice can make a difference," she said.

Jahnke's plea was met with applause and a standing ovation from the more than 5,000 mourners, many uniformed firefighters, who filled Second Baptist Church.

Firefighters have criticized the Houston Fire Department's practice of staffing trucks with three firefighters instead of the recommended four.

Orlando Sanchez, one of two City Council members challenging Mayor Lee Brown in next month's election, has made firetruck staffing a key campaign issue.

After the funeral, Brown said he did not want to politicize Jahnke's death by commenting on his wife's remarks.

But a few hours later he announced a plan to increase staffing on firetrucks.

Jahnke, 40, died Saturday after he was trapped in a high-rise building fire at the Four-Leaf Towers at 5100 San Felipe.


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; News/Current Events
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To: Alkhin
Thing is, what is it in the mind of the voters who are voting for him??

Apparently, not much.

21 posted on 10/18/2001 8:00:56 AM PDT by wysiwyg
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To: john316
People outside TX don't realize how liberal the City of Houston has become. It is now #4 nationally, behind Chicago but ahead of Philadelphia. Now Harris County is still operationally conservative, and that offsets the 1.95 million Houstonians, the majority of whom are minority, poor, and liberal. Lee Brown is a hero to the downtrodden. It's something I can't understand because I don't understand human nature. Maybe the 17th century Swede named Oxenstjerna had it right when he said: "My son, as you grow older, you will be astonished to discover what imbeciles run the world!"
22 posted on 10/18/2001 8:03:39 AM PDT by Theodore R.
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To: Theodore R.
true...so true, but how can the -non-residents of Houston who travel and work there and patronize the businesses there ever have any influence??? We have multiple amounts of petroleum refineries and other plants, and Houston had morphed into less an oil town and more into an engineering town. It is difficult for me to go to any part of the city without seeing some major engineering complex. Hubby is an engineer, and we knew when he graduated, Houston was the place to go...and believe me, if the industry offered better rates anywhere else, we would NOT have moved to Houston. As it is, Houston has become more than what Harris County can define within its borders. Mom calls it the Blob that Ate East Texas....those in Kingwood are especially familiar with that concept...
23 posted on 10/18/2001 8:12:28 AM PDT by Alkhin
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To: Alkhin
Is this Lee "Out of Town" Brown, who served as Police Chief under Dinkins? What were Houstonians thinking (even the Dems)?
24 posted on 10/18/2001 8:51:18 AM PDT by Clemenza
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To: Alkhin
Bump for later. Wish I lived in Houston city limits so I could vote against this bum.
25 posted on 10/18/2001 9:41:44 AM PDT by anymouse
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To: Clemenza
Is this Lee "Out of Town" Brown, who served as Police Chief under Dinkins? What were Houstonians thinking (even the Dems)?

He was police chief here, police commissioner in NY, head of security for Atlanta olympics, and Clinton drug czar before returning to impose himself on us as mayor. And he's been soooo successful in those posts. YEAH, RIGHT...

I don't know what the people who vote for him are thinking...like I said above, not much, apparently. I voted against him twice and will do the same this time. He's an idiot being controlled by the previous mayor, "King" Bob Lanier, another liberal dim. Sometimes I swear I can see the strings. All that Brown can list as accomplishments are the huge favors for his benefactors: new ballpark, new football stadium, new basketball arena, $300 million (or more) 7-mile go-nowhere toy train, $1/2 million "welcome to houston" signs at the airport with his face on them...

26 posted on 10/18/2001 10:33:30 AM PDT by wysiwyg
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To: wysiwyg
BUMP
27 posted on 10/18/2001 12:10:41 PM PDT by Alkhin
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To: Alkhin
BUMP
28 posted on 10/18/2001 12:18:48 PM PDT by Alkhin
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To: Alkhin
..will ad my 2 cents later!

Bump!

But I'll tell you one thing, P.C. or not, this election will be split Black vs White!

29 posted on 10/18/2001 12:36:23 PM PDT by HoustonKevin
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To: Old Hickory
Brown saved Houston during the huge flood last summer, correct?

You must be joking.

During the flood, Leefy Brown (my radio disc jokey calls him that), told everyone not to assist people, don't help out, that's what the professionals were for.

He's an idiot. I can't wait to vote for Sanchez.

30 posted on 10/18/2001 12:41:55 PM PDT by RikaStrom
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To: Hop A Long Cassidy
Unfortunately, the cost for this large granite tombstomb with picture cost about $250,000 each. I understand from newspaper reports that there is no way to put the next mayor's picture in there -- to say "thanks" for visiting the airport.

I was wondering if we were going to be able to replace that photo. Dagnabbit!

He's also the mayor that spent 5,000 dollars to learn public speaking so that he could give a "State of the City" address. I think it was $5k.

31 posted on 10/18/2001 12:44:31 PM PDT by RikaStrom
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To: Alkhin
I don't know why the blacks would want to vote for him now. Many open sewers exist in the poorer neighborhoods that affect them, as well as fireplugs that don't work because of poor management in the Public Works Dept. Blacks' homes burn too. I wish you could vote and help us rid ourselves of two more years of Brown's failed policies and plans.
32 posted on 10/18/2001 5:17:18 PM PDT by top of the world ma
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To: wysiwyg
Debate on Channel 13 now! IMO, Sanchez is clearly the smartest of the three.
33 posted on 10/18/2001 5:19:21 PM PDT by top of the world ma
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To: top of the world ma
Sanchez is clearly the smartest of the three.

And Lee . P . Brown was clearly the most stupid person (out of over 700) in the room. I had to turn the debate off after about 10 minutes so that I didn't put a foot through my TV. Brown is just like his hero, Clinton: It's all about him. I did this and I did that and I have a plan for whatever. BARF!!!

34 posted on 10/19/2001 6:37:08 AM PDT by wysiwyg
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To: Hop A Long Cassidy
But there is a way to remove Brown's ugly mug from that ediface - dyn-o-mite!

The demolition of that abuse of tax dollars would be a good way to kick off the post-Brown Houston renaissance.

They could raise funds by auctioning off the honors to man the demolition plunger.

They could sell raffle tickets to attend the destruction of Brown 'legacy' and pay for at least a portion of the waste he has wrought on the city of Houston.

35 posted on 10/19/2001 1:06:33 PM PDT by anymouse
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