A woman steps into the public light by starting a petition to save Dade City's Fire Department.
By CHASE SQUIRES
Published August 15, 2003
DADE CITY - Debra Williamson says she can fight City Hall.
The Dade City mom took to the streets Thursday, launching a petition drive she hopes will force the city to reconsider saving the Fire Department.
Facing a $1.4-million budget shortfall, the City Commission voted 3-2 Tuesday night to pay Pasco County to provide services and dissolve the city department.
But Williamson, a 43-year-old stay-at-home mother of two, said the fight's not over, and the people will have another say. "I'm not willing to give up. Once we start dismantling our fire department, we start dismantling our city."
Fire Chief Bob Cabot said he and his department are cheered by the show of support and said people who want to save the department should sign the petition.
"Until there is a contract that both entities agree on, you never know how it's going to turn out," Cabot said. "It's not over until it's over."
City Commissioner Bill Dennis, one of two commissioners who voted Tuesday against dissolving the city department, said Wednesday that he didn't feel the issue was settled at the meeting.
"I still think it was a mistake," he said.
Williamson's petition calls for the City Commission to reconsider its vote and to push back the start of the new fiscal year until Nov. 30.
City Attorney Karla Owens said state law requires that all cities and counties begin their fiscal years Oct. 1 and they are not allowed to move that date.
Williamson said something can be done just by freezing all expenses at current levels and holding that pattern for two extra months. That would give commissioners and city employees more time to deal with the budget, she said.
"This didn't come up overnight; it's not going to go away overnight," she said.
Williamson said she has been active in parent-teacher associations and youth sports leagues, but this is her first public foray into city politics.
Petitions will be available at Badcock & More Home Furnishings, 14009 Seventh St., and Dade City Glass Co., 14604 Seventh St.
Williamson said she's determined to make an impact.
"If I have to go door to door, I'll go door to door," she said.
