Norman Opposes Closing of Firehouses at Staten Island Rally

STATEMENT OF NORMAN SIEGEL - December 13, 2008, at rally sponsored by the South Beach Civic Association

I am here today to say NO to the Mayor's plan to close firehouses. Although our City is facing a legitimate budget problem, we cannot and must not solve the projected budget deficit by creating a potential hazard to the public safety of any New Yorker. The closing of firehouses creates a potential danger to residents of New York City.

If it takes a fire engine a few more minutes or seconds to get to a fire or to reach a heart attack victim, those few minutes or seconds could be a matter of life or death. We cannot and must not put any New Yorker's life at risk because of necessary budget cuts.

The Mayor and City Council must begin to prioritize budget cuts. It's foolhardy to impose a 7% cut across the board. Leadership requires an agency by agency and program by program analysis. And public safety must be one of our top priority values when considering what to cut and how much to cut. Public safety cuts should be spared as much as possible.

So, Mr. Mayor and Ms. Speaker — go back to the drawing board and rethink the budget cuts. Rethink cutting public safety items like the NYFD and the NYPD. Rethink the closing of firehouses.

To all New Yorkers, we must be united in speaking up loud and clear on this crucial matter. Today's proposed cuts can be the beginning of a painful downsizing of government services. We must make the Mayor and Speaker and all City Council members understand that closing firehouses is simply unacceptable. Together, we can prevail on this matter. Together, we can be a model for other communities facing similar budget cuts. Together, we do not have to accept the closing of firehouses.

KEEP THE FIREHOUSES OPEN !!!