A letter submitted to Patch by Mike Kasperski of the Lemont Firemen's Association.
LEMONT, IL — This is a letter to the editor submitted by Mike Kasperski of the Lemont Firemen's Association:
In response to a Facebook post in Everything Lemont on March 22 concerning myself and the Lemont Firemen’s Association.
The Firemen’s Association was established in 1896 as a non-profit to raise funds to purchase everything the fire department needed, such as fire trucks, an ambulance, diving equipment, radios, hoses, gear, etc. This was accomplished by holding various fundraisers.
The Lemont Firemen’s Association operated as the fire department's source of revenue through the mid 70s, until the Fire Department became a Fire Protection District and was eligible for tax funding.
In 1938 the Association purchased the 1938 Pirsch Engine you currently see at Lemont events. In the late 1970s the district put this engine up for surplus and the Association purchased the engine again. Today the Association maintains this truck and participates in Lemont parades and festivals, works along with the Lemont Historical Society and holds an annual food drive supporting Lemont Bethany Church.
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Association members are still giving back. Some of which have been members since the early 70s and worked with firefighters from decades before. We consist of retired Lemont volunteers, then paid on call, then employees of Lemont Fire. A Union member approached the Association regarding joining. He was informed that being a member may make his work atmosphere difficult because there was an instance when one of the union members helped the Association and was ridiculed for doing so. No one has been turned away, except the current Chief, due to his lack of truthfulness in communicating between the Union and the Association. When the union was established in the early 1990s, all union members quit the Association.
The Association meetings follow Roberts Rules of Order. Several years ago, a list of all members and board members and a copy of the Association By-Laws was given to the district during my 22 years as a Trustee. The Association has been told the current administration has misplaced these documents.
To explain the claim that “the Association costs the fire district thousands of dollars and benefits nobody…”
? A Foreign Fire Insurance Tax, collected by the Illinois Municipal League, was originally paid to the district. Funds for Association jackets, hats and shirts, etc. were funded by this tax which is to be used for the maintenance, use and benefit of the fire department. The International Fire Union lobbied for the union to receive the tax distribution. The distribution is approximately $45,000 - $50,000 per year. The Association requested $3,000 of this tax from the union, but the requests were continually denied. Then one of the previous Chiefs helped us by putting a $5,000 line item in the district budget, but it wasn’t always used. This has since been removed.
? The Firemen’s Association funds come from two fundraisers held per year: a 50/50 raffle and Super Bowl squares. Several years ago, the Association received $250 a couple of times from the Mayor’s Golf outing, but this hasn’t happened for many years. Two businesses have given monetary donations because of our helping them year around. This just covers the expense of the garage and truck.
? Your union receives the large annual distribution of the Foreign Fire Insurance Tax and sends a mass mailing for a Beat the Heat raffle. I commend your union for participating in the Fire Buddy Program even though the presentations are made by union members that are on duty and using a department engine or truck. The Association has offered to bring the antique truck to these presentations, but the union never took us up on the offer.
? Sparing details, the negligence of district employees has caused the district many thousands of dollars for building and truck repairs, and losing expensive equipment.
It’s true that there isn’t an affiliation between the Association and the District, as well as the Union. To confirm, I spoke to the Union President a couple months back and was assured that the Union didn’t want anything to do with the Association and/or Antique engine.
There was a time when the Association needed funds to maintain the engine. At the time, the district attorney Bob Trevarthen and Chief Terry Droogan suggested both entities be on the title to accomplish this, and the title was to be returned when the Association became solvent, which it now is. For some time the Association has requested the title be returned to them, but the current Chief refused because he stated that it’s the only way for him to control the antique truck.
Yes, I recently moved out of Lemont as well as a couple of other Association members. This pales in comparison to your 50+ union members having only two reside in the district.
At no time do the Association members use the garage as a clubhouse or drinking establishment, as you accused.
The Association isn’t a threat to anyone, our goal is to participate in Lemont community events and maintain the history of the department for the benefit and enjoyment of all Lemont residents. The Association at no time has said anything derogatory against the Fire Protection District or the Fire Fighters Local 3966.
It’s no secret that the Association backs one of the current candidates running for Fire District Trustee, without any monetary contributions. The Union has budgeted $10,000 to back the candidate of their choice.
You have not only embarrassed yourself, but you have defamed the Lemont Fire Protection District, Fire Fighters Local 3966 and the Lemont Firemen’s Association. It’s with great regret that this response was necessary.
Mike Kasperski of the Lemont Firemen's Association