Atomic City Talk

Thanks for the update, Chief! I'll be there.

So, who would have "arrested" the fire dept. for setting off the fireworks last year? The police were all in Scarboro. Is this town so small that a phone call wouldn't suffice so that everyone could have enjoyed the show?

The State Firemarshall's office could have issued a stop use order, issued a fine and such.

Now, the questions. Since the F.D. is charged with enforcing fire ordinances and such, do you really want a F.D. that will violate ordinances? That is kinda hypocritical right? The show should have been cancelled if all the necessary permits were not in place. How they failed to get those permits should be troubleshot and avoided again this year. Spilled milk, wipe it up, don't cry.

If you expect any thing positive to come out of David Beams' office you'll have a long wait, unless of course it will benefit him. The sorriest person ever to hold that job.

Thank you Mr. Jacket.

I took an oath to comply with federal, state and local law to the best of my ability when I was hired, and I was raised to obey the law.

I expect the codes enforced by this department to be obeyed even when the Fire Department is not looking, and I expect my people to obey the Charter, Ordinances, and other policies when no one is looking.

I expect those with whom I compete on the golf course to obey the rules when I am not looking.

And it is the right thing to do.

In addition, TCA, Tennessee Code Annotated for the uneducated, 68-104-207(a) specifies violations of the fireworks statutes may be punished by a civil penalty up to $2,500 or the first offense and up to $10,000 for the second offense.

The City's insurance carrier, with whom we have a fireworks display rider, specifies that the City has no insurance if the law is violated.

Further, I recall no July 5 newspapers or news broadcasts that do not detail some event where fireworks went awry killing and/or injuring people.[/u]

Welcome back, Chief. Always good to get the bottom line from you.

You're welcome Chief. I expect agencies to follow the law, including Judges making decisions in cases. What other citizens think is not cosequential at all. Your actions, though a disappointment to citizens, was responsible and the right thing to do to protect the Cities interest, (read all even those not in attendance). When the government violates a law it makes that government no better than the person the government has charged.

Glad to see you take your oath seriously. It is a credit to your department. I know that if I run that redlight with camera and get
in an accident that you guys will be there ASAP. Hope that never happens though.

I am happy to report that the State of Tennessee issued an "Outdoor Fireworks Display Operators" license to me on April 23, 2008, and I received it with the morning mail.

I expect to file application for a "display" permit for July 4, 2008, 10:00 p.m., this afternoon.

Great news, Chief! We'll gladly save the gas from a round-trip to Kingston and stay in Oak Ridge on the 4th!

The State of Tennessee has issued a permit for the fireworks display to be held at Melton Hill Park, 10:00 p.m., July 4, 2008.