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Fair Government Is The Real Issue For Firefighters

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By JIM NORMAN

Published: February 25, 2008

Hillsborough County has a strong and dedicated group of firefighters.

They have long protected our community. And in these times of economic stress, it is reasonable to allow them the same opportunity to work part-time jobs - take on extra hours to better provide for their families, as city firefighters. I believe they absolutely deserve that opportunity.

But the recent debate at the Tampa Sports Authority over whether all work at the stadium should be done by city firefighters or shared by city and county firefighters is symbolic of a larger debate going on in this community: Do we stay with the old way of doing things? Or do we recognize the sea of change going on around us and push ourselves into a new way of thinking?

Having heard loud and clear the voice of our electorate that government has become too expensive and that the people want and need some relief, I am firmly in the camp of the latter.

As our county continues to grow - nearly two-thirds of our citizens live in the county - and another 400,000 are still expected - it is critical to look at new and better ways to do business, share resources and represent all citizens. Let me share my perspective on creating fairness for all of our citizens.

First, I do not view the stadium work (or other issues) as a "city versus county" issue. The vitality and well-being of the city of Tampa and its citizens are important to us all. The district boundaries of several county commissioners literally include Tampa neighborhoods, and all of us share pride in the history, beauty and energy of Tampa.

Second, the changing demographics of this community, and thus, the changing tax base, mandates that we do things differently than when Tampa was Tampa and the county was the county and rarely did the two need to meet. Today, the city routinely requests assistance from the county on projects located within the city but considered assets of the entire county.

We have seen numerous instances of this interdependence recently: roof repairs for the Tampa Convention Center, maintenance and renovations for Raymond James Stadium and the St. Pete Times Forum, seed capital for the Moffitt/Merck proposal - and each time the county has stepped to the plate.

If these are truly community assets that just happen to be located in the city, why treat their governance, staffing or contracting otherwise?

In these tough economic times, we will see more of this in the future, and I believe now is the time to find and agree upon a long-term protocol that will work for most - if not all - such matters. Both the city and the county need a process which will provide stability and certainty for budgeting, planning and tax forecasting and one that benefits all of our citizens.

While the county taxpayer underwrites two-thirds of the shortfalls in the operating budget at Raymond James Stadium, only city firefighters are permitted to work during games.

This is just one small example of situations I have seen that should be rethought and revised to provide for balance. I believe there is a fair and equitable resolution to the issue: splitting the work opportunities between the city and county firefighters.

Simply stating, as the Tribune did, that it hasn't been done before ("Jim Norman's Disappointing Focus," Our Opinion, Feb. 20), or casting aspersions on my intentions are not compelling arguments against fundamental fairness to our firefighters or to the county as a whole.

Let's stop looking behind every rock for a motive and start asking what is fair. What makes good public policy? What makes good business and economic sense? And, what is the right thing to do for the people of this community?

Jim Norman is a Hillsborough County commissioner.

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