Dana...Have you not yet figured out that the city doesn't want to hear the truth or to have the truth published? It is very sad that we live in a goverment that allows these types of behaviors to go on. Anything you say, truth or not, they will turn it around to make you look like a troublemaker. The good part however, is we the taxpayers that pay & elect them into their positions have a few weeks left and if we really want change in our local goverment, we have to politic and fight for it and let them know these types of unethical behaviors and their lack of integrity will not be tolerated. If all of you blogging can take the time to blog, take the same amount of time and vote for change, because without it, we will continue to tell them it is alright for them to continue their dirty politics and that we are just going to sit back and take it. The fact is, your're right, the journal seems to be publishing half one sided stories. We haven't seen any responses from the individuals whose "pasts" have been blasted all over the front page of the journal... If the RCDJ cannot show us all the information, instead of what they would like "us" the citizens to know, then perhaps we should unsubscribe and refuse to give them our monies either... It is sad that one is punished for standing up & attempting to be fair & honest, however, WE PAY THE SALARIES AND ALLOW THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO OBVIOUSLY HAVE NO INTEGRITY WHATSOEVER, TO CHEAT AND LIE ON A DAILY BASIS AND SPEND OUR TAX DOLLARS, NOT WORKING FOR US THE PEOPLE TO MAKE THINGS BETTER, BUT TRYING TO TRACE AND COVER THEIR BACKSIDES AND PROTECT THIER FAMILIES AND THEIR WELL BEINGS! If we the taxpayers don't look our for us, it's being proven, they aren't looking after our well beings and needs either!!! Everyone, please vote for change!

joh.... In my letter I said "These guys were not trying to start trouble with the city, they were only asking for what they rightfully earned." There it is in the very first paragraph, so I think I know what this was originally about!

As for the chief, his reaction was uncalled for, and the city officials who turned a blind eye were wrong as well! You say the chief had nothing to do with it, but didn't the chief make the threats upon hearing about grievances filed, or should I say the grievances they tried to file ABOUT THE PAY!

The point I was making about the Northside volunteer charged with attempted advances with a minor is very simple. I was pointing out that a man who hasn't broken the law is on the front page every other week because of a witch hunt against him. Why is that? My guess is because he had the courage to stand up for what is right! In standing up for what is right, he had to go against some very dirty players who will obviously stop at nothing to keep people "in line".

As for me raising the roof if it were my house, are you seriously telling me that one off duty firefighter caused the entire department to be late?

So, joh... you can call my letter rumor, gossip or whatever you'd like to call it, but I didn't write anything that wasn't the TRUTH!

The firefighter charged with the attempted advances with a minor was Northside Fire Department not Rockingham Fire Department, right? I don't know what is truth or lies anymore when it comes to these fire department stories! So for those involved I know you have to be confused.

I think if everybody is going to fight dirty they should put all of their past on the line instead of picking and choosing what they want people to know about the other one. Tell the whole story and not bits and pieces.

dana,, please! the original lawsuit was about overtime pay. now you spout off about the fire chief, he had nothing to do with the original lawsuit. they knew what they were going to be paid and how. now they want to change the deal. whether gardner beats up someone or another firefighter has been charged with attempted advances on a minor has nothing to do with rockingham firefighters suing the city. by the way we are the city! if the firefighter was visiting his mother, or going to a fair in fayetteville, he knew he would be out of town and there was "NO" way he could have gotten back in an emergency. Bet you would have raised the roof if it had been your house on fire and they didn't make it on time..we all have rules to go by when we accept a job with an employer. if you want to spew about what you are concerned with write a letter to the editor. news is news, gossip is rumor, but the truth is still the truth.

And that is why I don't vote for the people running for reelection who have no integrity!

Bo... and others... none of this is about me! It's about standing up for what is right! It's about the dirty games people play when you dare stand up for what is right! Do you think that brush fire would have been a front page story had Mr. Barber just accepted the mistreatment of the RFD firefighters? NO! His salary and honesty would never have been brought into question had he just remained silent and let the powers that be continue to act in a corrupt manner!

I don't know about you all, but I see something fundamentally wrong with a system which mistreats and slanders the most heroic people on earth! You see, firefighters don't have the clout and power policemen get, so they don't go into the business of protecting and saving lives for that! They become firefighters for one reason, and that is to help their fellow man! We know now, it's certainly not for the money of it either.

Each and every citizen should be standing up for these guys right now! I promise you, if you were trapped in a burning building, or injured and trapped in a car accident, they wouldn't stop and ask how much you make or who you support!

And let's not forget the reality of the situation, these guys tried to handle all of this out of court.... only to be threatened for doing so! I admire each and every one of them who stood up to the system! I admire each and every one of them for what they do, because I don't know a lot of people who are really gung ho about rushing into a burning building!

The line between right and wrong shouldn't be so blurred with political garbage!

I'd feel very sorry for the county residents if you ran and won anything Dana. I surely would'nt trust you and I know you are a democritical and I don't trust democriticals!

I don't know why they always put me in as a Hamlet resident, I live in Rockingham. No, I have no intention of running for public office; that is not what God called me to do!

For someone always posting as anonymous, you sure do have a lot to say.... I'm thinking you probably wouldn't have nearly as many snarky comments if you had to put your real name on your posts!

Youre right hamletresident,but dont stop there, consider Raleigh and Washington,DC. Im totally disgusted with the lot. Thats why I dont vote for incumbents.

Sauls....you're not seriously thinking about running for public office are you ? (as some nut on the blog board suggested) LOL

But then again.....maybe you'd like your "integrity" spread all over the newspaper ROFL !!

It sounds like the city of Rockingham has the same problems that the city of Hamlet has. People in city government with no integrity!