The Sycamore Fire department is working with city officials to revise an agreement. Hopefully this agreement grants the firefighters’ only wish of not losing their jobs. The city has suggested a 2 percent increase in pay; the only problem is, if this pay increase is taken, the expense will be at someone’s job.

City officials proposed a pay increase for Firefighters Local 3046 of the International Association of Firefighters for the 2009-2010 year (which starts May 1). Previously, an increase of 3.75 percent was brought forward, but this would put the department over its $2.4 million budget, requiring two firefighters to be laid off, according to city officials.

The members of the Sycamore City Council had a meeting discussing the pay increase for the firefighters but City Manager Bill Nicklas said the union has not accepted or rejected the city’s offer.

“I believe the city should honor the original agreement made with the Sycamore Firefighter department,” said Sycamore resident Jody Jones.

Wherever we look these days, everyone is talking about how they need to cut back. Money does not grow on trees and our economy is realizing that fast and hard.

“We hope to resolve these differences soon,” said Nicklas. “March 2 is our next scheduled meeting, and I believe we will have come to a conclusion when that day comes.”

Some are saying that the firefighters should be happy with the option of a 2 percent increase in pay. Yes, something is better than nothing. But no one can say the job that firefighters perform is worth any amount on a paycheck. Ask yourself what you would like to be paid in exchange for the threat of losing your life.

“We have had lots of meetings and hopefully we can come to a common ground by the next meeting,” said Dan Marcinkowski, President of Firefighters Local 3046. “We would like to get back to our firefighter priorities as soon as we can.”

Public safety is the worst place to cut back. The citizens of Sycamore should be appalled at the fact that the firefighters are now the ones carrying the money constraint baggage along with the job to save the lives of citizens. If money is such a problem all over our country, I ask the politicians who are working for my country: take 2 percent out of your paycheck every month. Then let’s see who still has the ability to work, spend and survive while our country’s mistakes are paid off.

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