Next Meeting

ERASE's Next meeting will be on September 2nd from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. @ the Rec. Center.

In light of last night's information The Spook believes there should be a judicial inquiry into the Mayor's, Police Chief and Fire Chief's handling of the alleged D.U.I. stop. Furthermore, an inquiry into Chief Rubin's damaged Fire Department Vehicle is clearly called for.

Attention!!! Attention!!!!

The Spook's phone has been ringing off of the hook with new and interesting news. At one time Chief Rubin was quoted saying "We (firefighters) need to be responsible for our actions on and off of the clock." Well it has been alleged that yesterday morning at approximately 2:30 a.m. on V St N.W., this same Chief was stopped on suspicion of D.U.I.. He was stopped in the 3rd District by Officer Dino Mc Fadden and allegedly the officer called his Sergeant, then Police Chief Lanier and Mayor Adrian Fenty. It is then alleged that Officer. Mc Fadden was ordered to let him go. This can be verified by the Mayor's and Police Chief's government phone records.

This is definitely an interesting development in light of brother Firefighter Burr's termination for "supposed" misconduct. You tell me if there is a double standard???

More news came in tonight.

Again it is alleged that Chief Rubin's vehicle (with apparatus) has more than $10,000 worth of damage to it. There are no reports about an accident concerning Chief Rubin and his truck. The Apparatus Deputy Fire Chief who keeps a record of all damaged vehicles and their maintenance records has no record of the Truck being serviced at "Criswell's Chevolet", again this information is alleged. This can be verified by running the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).

Stay Tuned and Stay Informed

The Spook


PS.
All information in this post is alleged and subject to change.

Mark Burr's Story Updated

My name is Mark Burr and I am a former Firefighter with the D.C. Fire and E.M.S. Department. I witnessed a violent attack on two of my co-workers and was asked to lie about this incident by two of my commanding officers. I refused to lie and have suffered through harassment, threats to my career, and even great humiliation. I have witnessed one man by the name of Lt. Lehan strike fear in the hearts of many because of who he is affiliated with. With that in mind he has performed some of the most unprofessional actions in the department without any penalty. This is the same man who was after my position because I am not afraid to defend myself and did not comply to sustain his lie or program.

I have been recently processed for termination with no option to resign from the D.C. Fire and E.M.S. Department. The grounds for my termination are under the false accusation of drug use late last year during my annual physical. My rights as a citizen and government employee were violated by the D.C. Fire and E.M.S. Dept. for them to accomplish this goal. I have not received a fair trial nor was given any assistance by Local 36 union besides initiating a grievance arguing the execution of Bulletin 5 and its validity.

The Fire Department has sanctioned my removal without being able to prove me at fault. The transcripts speak for themselves. My medical records were not investigated and all testing documentation were not provided by the D.C. Fire and E.M.S. Department to validate their claim. I am seeking justice in my cause and for my fellow co-workers who have been wronged by this corrupt system. Attached to this email is my story. I hope you will read and decide for yourself. Feel free to respond; your thoughts and future actions are appreciated.

The Following form is provided as part of E.R.A.S.E.'s campaign to correct the union - from A Courageous FIre Fighter

Date: / /

Attention: Daniel Dugan

President of the Local 36 Union

THIS LETTER EXPRESSES EXPLANATION OF NOTIFICATION

TO CHALLENGE THE FULL PAYMENT OF UNION DUES TO THE

LOCAL 36 [FIREFIGHTER’S] UNION.

PRESENTLY, I _______________________ AM AN ACTIVE UNION DUES PAYER.

I HEREBY, REGISTER DIS-SATISFACTION WITH THE SERVICE PROVIDED TO MINORITY BLACK FIREFIGHTERS.

CURRENTLY, THERE IS A GREAT DISPARITY IN RACIAL REFLECTION OF UNION BOARD MEMBERS. THIS RACIAL IMBALANCE HAS CONSEQUENTLY HAD A NEGATIVE BEARING ON THE URGENCY AND WILLINGNESS TO PROVIDE MINORITY MEMBERS WITH THE ADEQUATE ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION NEEDED TO ADDRESS SUCH MATTERS AS:

OPEN DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES; PUNITIVE DISCIPLINARY INJUSTICES; UNRESOLVED GRIEVANCES; AND, ENSURING THE BASIC PROTECTION OF MEMBER’S UNION AND CIVIL RIGHTS, IN RESPONSE TO THE VIOLATION OF ANY PART OF THE LABOR AGREEMENT(S).

IN GENERAL, IT HAS BEEN ALLEGED AND OBSERVED, THAT THE PRESENT MEMBERSHIP BOARD ACT MOSTLY IN FAVOR OF THE NEGOTIATING FIRE OFFICIALS [NON-SUPPORTERS], RATHER THAN ON BEHALF OF IT’S PAID SUPPORTER’S. THIS HAS BECOME AN OBVIOUS CONFLICT OF INTEREST, FURTHER POSITIONING THE POSTURE FOR BIASNESS WHEN THERE IS A DUTY TO ACT ON BEHALF OF MEMBERSHIP. THE LOYALTY OF THE UNION TO ITS SUPPORTERS HAS BECOME FRAGMENTED AND MISPLACED.

HENCE, I AM REQUESTING WITHDRAWAL OF MY MEMBERSHIP, AND THE FULL PAYMENT OF DUES; I CONTEST THE FULL SUPPORT OF A “UNION” THAT IS PARTIAL AND INDIFFERENT IN ITS DESIRES TO FULLY SUPPORT ME.

SUBMITTED BY:

_________________________________

Signature

_______________________________

Assignment/Battalion/Platoon

_________________________________

Print Name

CC: INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS (IAFF) HEADQUARTERS

1750 NEW YORK AVENUE ~ WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006 – 5395 SUITE 300

PHONE: 202-737-8484 FAX: 202-737-8418

This was drafted in the absence of an official form from the IAFF and Provided as a Courtesy by the Spook and Spookettes. We are certain that there must be one, but concerned fire fighters should who want to take this action as part of their attempt to have a union that re presents them can use this form, as an example or as an actual form until we get an official one. We don't need to change the union; we just need to change the executive board, by people who care about this city and the firefighters.

In the spirit of the bus boycott in the civil rights era,
We shall overcome!
Justice for All Firefighters!

Channel 5 to cover DCFD Recruits

You may have noted that they were not on tonight, Monday, August 4th, but they will be. Sorry, we can't tell you when!! Just keep an eye out, and be sure we will tell you as soon as we know!! [If you find out before you see it here, be sure to alert us by emailing erase-racism@hotmail.com.]

Thanks!
The SPOOK

ALERT!! ALERT!!! ALERT!!!

Tonight, this Monday, August 4th at 10:00 pm, the DCFD recruits will be featured on Channel 5!!! Call friends, supporters, family, all you can reach and ask them to watch!

ALSO, Correction and apologies to anyone who listened out for Captain Vanessa Coleman this morning on WPFW, we got that date wrong - she will be on that same segment on WPFW-FM radio, 89.3 on your dial, this Wednesday, August 6th on Metro Watch with Gloria Minott.

Check Out WPFW-FM Radio 89.3 FM, Monday, 8.4.08, 9:35 a.m. sharp...

And hear one of DC's Finest, DCFD Captain Vanessa Coleman talking with Gloria Minott on WPFW's Metro Watch segment!