EASTPOINTE, Mich.
--
Every year around this time, on-duty firefighters collect thousands of dollars in donations to buy Christmas gifts for the less fortunate.
But just two days before their annual Goodfellows Newspaper sale, the city manager issued a startling notice forbidding the department to solicit donations while on the clock.
The manager said city workers should not be collecting donations on the taxpayers dime.
Sometimes, the only times one of our firefighters is able to contribute and stand out and collect might be their time during their duty shift, said Eastepointe Firefighter Mark Tomas.
Firefighter William Sabelle goes on to say, We have a lot of families that we take care of and to lose that much money we wouldnt have been able to take care of those families at all.
The fire department turned to the city council, which then voted to continue on with tradition, but thats only for this year. What happens next year is yet to be determined.
A final determination for next year will not be made until were able to do a survey of surrounding communities and weve been able to talk further on the issue, said Eastpointe Mayor Pro Tem Veronica Klinefelt.
Copyright 2009 by ClickOnDetroit.com.
All rights reserved. This material may
not be published, broadcast, rewritten
or redistributed.
