I think I have read The Spokesman-Review column The Slice perhaps once before I read the one on Sunday. A picture of a firefighter in full PPE caught my eye. I had to scan most of the article to get to the part about firefighters. Paul Turner, the author, had written about what he was thankful for. Here’s his thankfulness for us:
“Past or present employees of the Spokane Fire Department who are not an embarrassment: We all know it's just a few bad apples.”
Accordingly, I was moved to write this. I still haven’t sent it in as a letter to the editor. The SR doesn’t really have much space devoted to such things anymore. I doubt they would publish it:
Dear Editor,
I was heartened, as a firefighter, that Paul Turner, in November 23rd’s Slice, gave thanks for “Past or present employees of the Spokane Fire Department who are not an embarrassment: We all know it's just a few bad apples.”
Thank you, Paul.
We know that we are always under the Spokesman-Review’s worthy scrutiny, and as such, an incident that would not normally be newsworthy becomes newsworthy when a firefighter (past or present) is implicated.
That’s just the way it is.
I, in turn, would like to give thanks for all past, present and future Spokesman-Review employees who are not an embarrassment had their colleagues’ fall from grace been reported in the Spokesman-Review. We all know its just a few bad apples that we will never hear about.
I would like to extend a genuine “thank you” to the citizens of Spokane for the support of your fire department. Know that we are there for you – no matter what your emergency - 24/7. Have a safe and relaxing holiday season.
John Griffith
Local 29
Etc.
I would guess that any organization our size has about the same number of employees "in trouble." It just isn't newsworthy to report their screw-ups.
So while there are "bad apples" in every organization, so too the S-R, I would imagine, and you won't hear about most of them.
Maybe Mr. Turner was genuine in his thanks. It just seems odd to hear it from the S-R. What do you think?
