City increases pay for ambulance workers

You say that if the people from town would be more willing to work there would not be a need for out of towners. Well I know that they were being covered just fine it is that your chief changed and make the people that city hired full time to part time or she just got rid of them. Then you say how bad can she be she is trying for more pay. Well if yoiu noticed she started trying for more pay after she stopped all full time and some of her friends were already here. Maybe you should ask why there are so many of her friends getting paid at the same time to work the same hours. So I would say that you do not know what you are talking about or your just one of her friends.

I am moving!! And I don't think I am the one stirring the pot. I was just pointing out the facts as I seem them printed on this page. Maybe I was right about there being more to this problem. I must have hit a nerve!

Solution to your problem: MOVE!! And, take Shallow Minds/Shallow Hearts with you! Further, your ASSumptions about the caring, hardworking squad members is not accomplishing anything. You are a pot stirrer, and you do not know what you are talking about. Go back to your cave and live in the dark where your world is happy and problem-free.

First of all, in the article at the top of the page it states "... trying to attract people from out of town to come and help serve and COVER SOME OF THE DAY SHIFT HOURS" Why are we in need of people to cover day shift hours? Is it because the full time people refuse to work those hours or they call off on their scheduled shifts or there is not enough people on staff to cover the shift? I guess that is why they are trying to get people from out of town because the caring, hard working people here won't step up to the plate and take the hours. Next it states "Chief Deb West, who recommended that the Council approve the increases" Boy that sounds like a horrible boss who tries to get raises for her crew!!!! Why would the Chief fight to get raises for her staff if she wanted them out of there??? These comments don't make sense. I think there must be more to this problem than the Chief just trying to hire her friends.I am so embarrassed to live in this community.

Just wondering...how many of those out of towners do you think are actually planning on moving to Minonk? My guess...probably not many if any.

You have a very valid point. I'd like to know that as well. Ms. Jenkins and Ms. Attig took care of me (and my family) when needed, and they are very professional and made us very comfortable. It is a relief to see them come in the door when I call, instead of some of the others on the squad. I don't even know half of them, but the way they conduct themselves makes me shudder and feel very uncomfortable. The chief is very gruff and uncaring, and how she handles patients scares me to death. Just like we do at certain hospitals, we inquire about who is on duty during emergencies....and if we don't like what we hear, I won't call 911 but will take my family to Ms.Jenkins, or Ms. Attig's home instead. I get wonderful service from them. Somebody in authority better wake up and smell the coffee before our city loses these outstanding individuals to another town!

Now lets work on higher pay for police and we will be set!!

Just a little more food for thought on the topic... Everyone who knows Angela knows she is very outspoken and won't hesitate to say what is on her mind, this has been the case for the last 10 years and Angela herself will admit to it. The problem is that recently the things Angela has been outspoken about are things that some people would rather not be discussed (i.e., problems with the current Chief and city officials). Thus put 2 and 2 together and see what you come up with! To me it adds up to the Chief using any possible excuse to get rid of Angela before she recognized any other problems and spoke up about them.

I am so glad things are finally getting aired out in the open! I applaud everyone who has stepped forward and spoken their mind, regardless of what side they are on. To the person who stated that Angela couldn't have gotten terminated for no reason, I do have a comment. Angela was tried and convicted (metaphorically speaking) without ever being able to give her side of the story. The incident in question took place while she was off duty and not representing the EMT squad in any way. Within 5 days of this incident Angela received a notice that her EMT services were no longer needed, even though NO ONE had EVER asked or contacted her about the incident. So I ask, does this sound "fair" to you?

First of all, if you do not know how to spell do not post a comment! Second of all, Angela should be re-instated as an EMT on the volunteer squaud; Kimmel Jenkins should be re-instated as chief and have her hours back! I know BOTH of them and their families personally, and NEITHER of them were given a REASON for any of this, nor were they allowed to know of the complaints/complainers or defend themselves. This is a fact, check it out. Does anyone wonder if these issues have anything to do with why the former city administrator left/or was forced out?

Ok where do I start. Lets see we can start with Hale to the chief, you said they have been a laughing stock for along time but I bet that was not your thought when you needed them. Not to metion if they were so bad why did so many people in town have a fit when they heard that the squad might be done and we would be get covered by elpaso. Thats right people always fight for some that is a laughing stock. Then you said if they were so highly qualified there would not of been so many problems for so long. Ya your right I bet since your so smart you have never had any problems at your job and never will correct. Ok now that we are done living in a fairy tale land come back to planet earth where every job you go to is going to have problems. But are they little ones or ones that can get the city in trouble. If you are going to say good job to some one at least know why your doing it. Find out what is going on then make a judgement.

Next ambulance meeting is September 11 @6p.m. It is open to the Public,Go and see for yourselves what takes place before you start judging any of the Minonk EMT's...

Have "Pleased Resident" and "Hale to the Chief" ever needed to use the ambulance service? I have. I was well aware of the "problems" that the service was supposed to have had, but in my hour of need, I didn't think of that. I did, however, breathe a sigh of relief when I saw faces coming into my home that I see at the grocery store, or other shops in town. Someone may be trying desparately to improve the service, but maybe the changes that are being made are not the right ones. Angela took care of me, and did a wonderful job. I felt very relieved by her clear capabilities and great care. Shouldn't that be the basis of someone being allowed to serve our community? I know I will miss her greatly.

So, you are "so sure" that there was "good reason" for Angela to be let go. Hmmm....was there? She wasn't the first, and I'm sure the former chief can attest to that fact. Still doesn't answer the question as to WHY nothing is being done about the fact that the chief is giving the hours to someone who is not as qualified (who does live out of town, but that isn't the issue) instead of giving them those hours to the most qualified and WILLING to work individual! The chief is looking out for her FRIENDS, and if an EMT questions her protocol then that person is basically SHOVED out the door, or let go. The chief must be held accountable too, and she has not been, because the administration is too busy trying to clean up other messes. Perhaps an alderman, or a concerned citizen should bring this issue up at the next meeting! As taxpayers, we deserve answers!

Maybe the question is behind the “highly qualified people” I have lived in Minonk for years and quite frankly the Minonk Ambulance Service has been a laughing stock for a long time to come. So I say “hale to the Chief” for taking on this mess we once called an ambulance service. Obviously if they were all “highly qualified” there wouldn’t have been so many problems for so many years. I say thank you for giving our ambulance service the dedication and professionalism that you have. I am sure it hasn’t been easy on her, but from this long time resident a big thank you and keep up the good work!

I think it is really interesting that people have negative comments when someone is trying desperately to improve the Ambulance service in our community. Some of the EMT's on this ambulance service are more interested in personal differences instead of the GOOD of this community. The city Council could have hired one of the original EMT's to run this service, but chose not too. I am sure there was GOOD reason for this. I also know that someone can not be terminated from a position with out due cause. So for Angela to be let go, there too must have been good reason. You can not just sit and listen to the negative. I believe the EMT's look wonderful in there uniforms and that great strides have been made to improve our ambulance service. A pat on the back to the Cheif and the City council for there support of Her.

I too am not a Minonk native, but this is my home now, and I care for this community deeply. I don't want people to not move to town, but I also don't want to see jobs given to people from out of town IN PLACE OF qualified people in town. I always thought that small towns meant caring for one another first. If that is the case, then keep the local jobs for local people as much as possible. In response to your questions about so many houses for sale, have you noticed that the squad's new chief's house is one of them?

my comments submitted about how the chief justifies cuts the hours of highly qualified,community residing, highest seniority members to only 18 for next schedule--yet mans the squad with her "friends" who are newly licensed and have no experience with over 30 hours were not printed?? Have I offended someone by writing the truth?? Fact of the matter is this: our local diehard EMT's are being pushed out the door for no GOOD reason! All of us have expressed great concern and complained when our jobs go overseas, yet when our own townsfolk are losing jobs RIGHT here in OUR community, we turn our backs and shrug our shoulders. This is sickening, and the SHAME lies with ALL of you who do not go to council meetings to inquire about this situation!

No, Shame on you! are you voluntering? sorry you feel the way you do, but until you personally deal with the Crap of this squad and know what goes on INSIDE KEEP YOUR MOUTH OF US! If you dont like it here move! it is that simple.

Are you all against anyone new coming to town? Are you all happy with everything leaving Minonk? Are you all happy with so many houses for sale? I have never seen a town so unwelcoming and how poorly new people are treated! I was not born and bred here. I now know why I got my house so cheap and why I'll never be able to sell it. Since I've been here, the pharmacy, hardware store, and antique mall have left or come and gone. Let’s keep chasing out of towners’ away and watch Minonk fizzle. I'm embarrassed to even tell people I live in Minonk! My kids’ say that they're running away from Minonk as soon as they're 18 (heard this from a lot of Minonk teens). So, you're also chasing away future Minonk citizens. If you have such a problem with this, back away from your computer and volunteer! I had a dream to live in a small town similar to my great grandparent...that dream has turned to disgust! So much for advertising Minonk as a great place to live and work! SHAME ON YOU!

Has it occured to anyone that some of Minonk's E.M.T.s can't get along with the new chief - whom, by the way, was originally from out of town. Why did the mayor hire an out of town person, that is an EMT-I, when I know for a fact that there were applications submitted by two (2!) of Minonk's EMS squad. One was the applications was submitted by the Chief that had been running the squad. One thing you won't find out is why Angela was let go, any matters dealing with city personnel is held in closed session. Therefore, Dave would be unable to find out the real (or truthful) reason.

I had the ambulance at my house a few weeks ago, I did Not know any of them. They were all out of towners! What is happening to our Community??? But yet according to Kona Taylors email (look at email section for August) We have licensed and available, Emt intermediates sitting at home wanting to be serving our community? Can anyone give me an explanation?? yet another concerned citizen...

what's the alleged incident that resulted in the loss of a local EMT??

I again refer you to Kona Taylor's e-mail. Why should we as taxpayers pad the pockets of out-of-towners, instead of helping pay for families to stay in our own community. The City Council wants to bring in new businesses, and focus on economic development, but don't want to take care of their own now. Again, a Concerned Citizen

TAKEN CARE OF PAY INCREASE FOR "OUT OF TOWNERS"? WHAT ABOUT OUR OWN COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO LIVE IN CITY LIMITS THAT SERVE ON THAT SAME SQUAD AND HAVE FOR YEARS?? ALSO WHAT ABOUT THE "LOCAL EMT'S" WHO ARE HAVING HOURS CUT SO NON-LOCALS CAN HAVE THAT TIME ON SCHEDULE? WHERE ARE THE OUT OF TOWNERS ON NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS?

Am I the only one that thinks it's funny that the city hired a new chief for the ambulance and now all the home town people are leaving or getting pushed out and more people from out of town are coming in. I know that I feel better when the person that comes to my house when I need help is someone I know. I also know there is alot more to what is going on here than mets the eye and I hope that Dave finds out and lets the city know. But you can not just count on Dave you need to go to the city meetings and find out for yourself. Dave does a great job keeping everyone up but he can not do it alone.Remember the alderman you put into office is there for you make your voice heard.

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