It has been 17 years and 272 days since the city’s pledge to build the West Branch Library.
Today, September 30, 2015, former Glendale Fire Chief Mark Burdick pulled a packet from the Glendale City Clerk’s office with the intent of running for the position of Mayor of Glendale in 2016. Burdick will, obviously, receive a majority of support in terms of campaign funding and manpower from the fire unions. As we have witnessed in the past, the fire unions will operate just a hair’s breadth inside campaign laws. Mayor Weiers is going to have a fight on his hands to retain his seat this coming election.
The Glendale Fire Department, kicking and screaming all the way, has finally implemented the use of a unit staffed with 2 persons, a paramedic and an emergency medical technician (EMT) to answer non-life threatening medical calls. It’s about time and the department is to be congratulated for implementing this test program. After all, it’s been in use in Mesa and Chandler for several years and is a proven system. It’s the first step in the elimination of the use of an engine or ladder answering medical calls…and is long overdue.
Also today, September 30, 2015, Glendale announced the hiring of Terry Garrison as its new fire chief. Here is the link: http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale/2015/09/29/glendale-fire-department-names-houston-head-departments-new-fire-chief/73045786/ .
The first question that comes to mind is why would he deliberately demote himself? From the third largest fire department in the country to a much smaller department in Glendale? Apparently Mr. Garrison has been Fire Chief in Houston for the past 3 years and during that entire time his wife continued to live in the Phoenix Metro area. In his resignation letter his reason for leaving Houston is to assist in the care of an infant grandchild with a chronic condition. Many wonder if he will be the man to resist the continual pressure of the fire union power grab. We will find out shortly, won’t we?
© Joyce Clark, 2015
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Glendale Fire News Indeed:
Burdick pulls a Mayor packet and press release sent out by Frisoni.
We have a new Fire Chief that was with City of Phoenix then Texas.
Another disaster for Glendale. It’a time to get fire employees @ ex fire staff out of City politics. They have a one track mind & in most cases it is not on what is best for the City.
Can you imagine the amount of Fire Union funds that will be pumped into this election?
While I understand your deep seated personal unhappiness with the fire union I don’t understand why you need to blast someone you know nothing about. I think if you look at the article you found your information on about Mr. Garrison you will find it is over 2 years old. At the time that article was written his grandchild’s treatments were being done in Phoenix and there was not that level of care at Houston’s Children’s Hospital. From what I read they were able to arrange treatment at the hospital in Houston and that allowed him to continue with the position of Chief. I would hope we would not ever question ones dedication to family and to providing the absolute best treatment and resources to make our families lives better. As far as the comment about “why would he deliberately demote himself?”. Maybe he doesn’t think Glendale is a demotion. Maybe he would like to come back to the area he was raised. Maybe he made a personal decision about his employment and family life that works in the best interest of his family. Maybe he has some great assets that he can share with Glendale.
I am sorry but I think it is unfair to already crucify the man because he chose to become Glendale’s next fire chief. And as far as his being with Phoenix and then Texas, I wonder how many of your blog readers have been employed for almost 40 years and have remained with the same employer? Movement is not always bad. Let’s wait and see with Mr. Garrison how he will impact the fire department and the city before we label him.
Your blog is very informative but please be sure of the details.
Wondering, I don’t believe I crucified Mr. Garrison. I, did in fact, say that the reason for his return to Arizona was to assist in caring for an ill grandchild. That, I think, explains his willingness to move to a much smaller fire department. The 64 dollar question is, will he be his own man or will he be co-opted by the fire union?
I believe there should be a minimum of 3 years break from resigning or retiring from the city of Glendale before you are able to run for ANY city council seat. Call it a cooling off period, it just makes sense. Mr. Burdick is WRONG for Glendale, the only thing he is good for Glendale is their Fire Department and Union.
I think we need to give Mr. Garrison a chance, I don’t think that you crucified him at all Joyce. At this point none of us know what is going to happen with him as fire chief. One can hope he follows the rules and plays nice with other city departments and with the council as a whole.