Te Canadian Champion, Fniday August 8, 1997 - 7 Fi.vrfighters pleased with tone of initial meeting Jhe Champion After only one meeting with the Town of Milton, morale among Multon's volunteer firetighters is reportedly on the rise Doug Craven, chairman of the Association of Milton Volunteer Firefighters, say members [e!l pleased following a recent gather- ing with Town officiais. "We had a really good discussion with (director of corporate services) Mr. (Jim) McQueen and chief administrative officer Mr. (David) Hipgrave," he said Tuesday. The parties met July 23 alter st month's outciy by volunteer firefighters, who say they've endured hardship and emotional trauma as a resuit of demoralizing acta by the department over the last 10 years. One bonie of contention was the tiring of longlime volunteer firefighter Rick Rivett. The association placed an advertisement in this newspaper declaring their opposition to the tiring and pre- JOIN HANDS IN A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP. GIVE To UsC FPRO4rAM$ IN AFRICA ANP ASSA. Plose make pour pledge ta USC by calling 1 -800-5656-USC 56 Spirits Street onate KIP5SOI ( 613) 234-6821/FAX (613) 234-6842 \ swaoad6@web.net Friday. August 8 In-Town & Rural Biway (P) Kelly Miller Bras Circus (Milton Optimist Club) Sears 0822 (P) Riural Onl A&P Loblaws M&M Meat Shops Weekend August 9-10 I-Twn Onl A&P Connections/Erin Milis Town Centre I.DA. Drug Store Loblaws M&M Meat Shops Sears 0831 (P) *Dam RDSERVICE Raitr&Fuel Tank Repairs Atuminum Welding Silver Soldering 400 MOROBEL DR., UNIT 4 MILTON~ * NEM CONSPIRACY _THEORY AA Nightlya 700 &9:15 Violence Sunday Matines at 2:00 pin AA] SPAWN violence- Net Nighty at700 &9:15 for childeon Sunday Matines at 2:00 pni MEN UN BLACK PGMghtly all7:0 & 9:15 Sunday Mainee at2:00 pm REMEMBER$4,25 TEDY tL tAIE E TS 42 sented a 50 signature petihion to the Town expressing their dis- pleasure on a numnber o) issues. However, after a recent meeting between the two parties, asso- ciation members now feel the Town realizes there's a morale problem involving more than a few people and is prepared 10 take their concemrs seriously, Mr. Craven said. He said he couldn't reveal details of discussions at the July 23 meeting because of an agreement reached between the two par- ties. The Town asked the firetighters not 10 discuss meeting pro- ceedings publîcly and they complied, he said. 'Because it (the meeting) was so productive, I'm going to respect their wishes." The gathering also included fuli-time tirefighters, Fire Chief Harold Penson and a representative from the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office. Mr. Hipgrave, who called the meeting, was on holidays this past week and couldn't be reached for comment. Mr MeQueen refuiscd <o ptihliclt,ý dlîscu 055 aspect of the gaihening in ligtît o) Ihe agreemnent. t have no comment. It was a staff meeting. It was flot to be described later on," he said. However, Mayor Gord Krantz, who didn't attend, said Mr. Hipgrave told him the gathering went well. "He was pleased with the way it evolved," the mayor said. Town counicil shot down the tirefighters' cal! - in their petition - for an investigation into the operation of the Milton Fire Department, deciding that a master plan already in the works for the department would suffice. It also took mbt consideration that Mr. Hipgrave and others planned to meet with firefighters in an attempt to sort out their concemai. The petition, signed by volunteer firetighters and their wives, accuses the Town of discriminating in its management practices and allowing staff numbers 10 deteriorate 10 an unsafe level. -9 HNEBR '9 MUTN ' T '97TOW CA