Feb. 27, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)booper (anonymous)

Once again Mr. Giles feels the need to alienate the union from the department. The problem is Mr. Giles, the department is union strong and for you to think that you can come between that, you are mistaken. It's unfortunate that you are putting all of your time and effort into trying to derail the morale of our firefighters. They are brothers and sisters and you either need to learn to deal with that or move on. They have to be strong together, you are asking these men and women to be ready to help our fellow citizens and put their lives on the line when they hear that call, how dare you think you are above their morale and the need for it.

Feb. 27, 2008 at 5:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)kiknbknks (anonymous)

I am a good ole country boy, born and raised close to Topeka. I live in a small town and have a family. I am also a vol.firefighter in my town. This hole deal here is not right at all. I think this because when Fred Phelps and his gang are out picketing are they on city property to. If so then they should not be able to hold there signs because there ofend people and is not good for the city as a whole. The signs that this men and his people hold or display on city property should be contoled mesages. So what is that saying for your city? That it is ok to display sings of Phelpses nature, and not something that is tastful and suporting our local unions and firemen and women.
So ask yourself what would you suport?
I would say anything that has to with America, and the heros that it is all about, would not be something that we would need to be controled. Would you? I say let them fly both flags as long as the U.S flag is on the top. FLY THOSE FLAGS AND BE PROUD OF WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO. This is America!

Feb. 28, 2008 at 12:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)GIJOE (anonymous)

Here we go again. I look forward to the new t-shirt you guys where to the next city council meeting. I will have some cheese there next time to go with your wine!

Feb. 28, 2008 at 12:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)shirleydog (anonymous)

Why was it necessary to list 4 cities that did not allow union flags to be flown at their fire stations? Did the author of this story contact only these cities, or was every other city in the state polled as well and just not included? It appears that these 4 cities were included merely because they support the bias that the media seems to continually show against the issues that the Local 83 has brought to light? Please try to be more objective in what is included in stories.

Feb. 28, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)oldmayor (anonymous)

The only issues the union has brought to light is they are a bunch of whiners who want to run things their way. There is LABOR and there is MANAGEMENT. You can't have it both ways. Do the work, that's what you get paid for and that's what people want you to do, not try to manage it your way. Your good old boy system is dead.

And Sylvia Ortiz needs to put a sock in it- how many of her relatives are on the fire department?

Feb. 29, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)booper (anonymous)

GI Joe and Oldmayor, do you know exactly why these men and women are unhappy? OR are you following all of the media stories that seem to only tell one side of their many complaints?! Do you work in a job that requires you to put your own personal safety on the line? Yes, I am fully aware that these men and women chose this field and they are happy to do so. However, if you had a leader who was unaware of what happens when you actually fight a fire, a leader who thinks its not okay for these people who work side-by-side for 24-hours to have any kind of comraderie, then I think you'd have some issues too. Not everyone who is displeased with Mr. Giles is a whiner, some of them are heroes, some of them are people who just want to be able to enjoy the job they love so much without all of the bs. So you can keep your cheese and keep stuffing it in your ears if all you're going to listen to is the one-side.

Mar. 3, 2008 at 1:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)GIJOE (anonymous)

you no what boper. there not the only ones that have jobs with the bs in this world. this started out when Giles was given the Chiefs job instead of one of the good old boys. dont give me your bs. i do work in a job that carries a lot more stress than what they do. they are in a house for 24 hours in the same city there family lives in. i am gone at a year or more at a time. your right it is what we choose to do in life. i chose to fight for my country. volunteer firefighters are more professional than the ones that are actually getting paid to do the same job. i do hear it from both sides. the only one that is crying about things is the union side. so your cheese will still be there at the city council meeting. i am looking forward to the new t-shirts. have a great day boper.