November 2010

The officers of your association want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and a good start to the holiday season.

MEMBER REPORT;

Retired Lieutenant Frank Powell passed away on Saturday, November 13, 2010.

Levi Starling lost his wife of 62 years, Freda, on November 1, 2010. Pallbearers included Wilbur Cox, James Black and Tom King.

Neal McCormack is doing rehabilitation at home and is recovering well.

Albert Dowling had back surgery again on Friday, November 19.

We send our thoughts and prayers to our members and their families.

EVENTS:

Monthly Retired Firefighters Breakfast on Thursday, December 9, 2010.

General City Employees Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, 11, 2010 at 6:00 at the Shriner’s Auditorium.

There will be a wreath laying ceremony held at the National Cemetery on Lannie Road at 11:45 on Saturday, December 11, 2010. Our Local purchased 300 wreaths for this event.

The Red Knights annual Christmas Party will be held on December 11, 2010 beginning at 7:00 at Linda and Warren Treadwell’s house in Macclenny. The Red Knights will be riding in the Annual Holiday Lights Parade in Macclenny on Saturday, December 4, 2010.

On Monday, November 8, Local 122 hosted a dinner for retiring PFP President Bob Carver. Bob served as PFP President for 30 years. The JAXRFA made a good showing with numerous retiree’s present.

NEWS:

The new JAXRFA office is being renovated before we officially move in.  Joe Smith and his crew are doing an excellent job getting it ready.  The new office is in the old Woodlawn Baptist Church building.  Until renovations are completed send all mail to JAXRFA, 625 Stockton Street, Jacksonville, Florida   32204.

Our oldest living retiree is now Retired District Chief Harold Collins. Chief Collins was born on November 8, 1917 in Sandford, Florida. He began his career on May 1, 1950 and retired May 1, 1980. Chief Collins began at Station 11 and then was transferred to Station 9. Chief Collins was assigned to the Fire Prevention Bureau on special assignment while assigned to Station 9. During this time he also taught first aid at the training school. Chief Collins was then transferred to Station 16 (Airport) where he made Lieutenant and was assigned to the Fire Prevention Bureau once again. While in the bureau he made Captain and was assigned to Station 6. Upon promoting to the rate of District Chief (Fire 8) at station 24 and retired at that position.

Chief Collins now lives in Keystone Heights, Florida. His daughter Pat Taylor, (married to Walter Taylor’s son) takes care of him and his daily needs.
 

On Chief Collins’ birthday, Grady Sims, Eddie Foye, Danny Butcher and Wayne Doolittle presented him with a T-shirt and jacket recognizing him as the oldest living retiree.

Congratulations to Chief Charles Moreland in being appointed to the Position of Fire Chief by Mayor John Peyton. This appointment comes as Mr. Dan Klemen is assigned to be in charge of Mayor Peyton’s exit campaign.

Linda Treadwell retired from the Museum on September 24, 2010. On her last day on the job it was brought to her attention that the job for Museum Curator was advertised for a non-fire department person to run the Museum. The deadline for the advertising was also on September 24, 2010. It seems awfully strange that no fire department related persons knew about this job. Wayne Doolittle brought up the fact that there has been no active Fire Museum Advisory Board for the past 7 years, which is in direct violation of City Ordinance Title lll Chapter 31 Section 31.801. When Wayne asked about this he got little to no reaction from the administration. Wayne and Linda attended the City Council Rules Committee Meeting and Wayne was allowed to speak. The question was asked “Why has there been no Board.” It was the suggestion by the Rules Committee that the Director do no hiring until this matter could be looked into. It was within a day or so that Mr. Klemen hired an outsider. This young lady reported to work on Monday, November 8, and resigned on Wednesday November 10. Once again Wayne and Linda attended a Rules Committee Meeting at which Mr. Klemen was asked by the Rules Chair Lady, Denise Lee why a hiring took place. Mr. Klemen advised that it was a moot issue because the young lady had resigned.

There seems to be a push to give the Museum away or staff it with non-fire related people. It is the position of this association and its members that this position of Museum Curator should be someone who understands and has love and passion for our department and the fire service.
 

NOVEMBER MEMBER PROFILE:
Harmon “Sparky” Williams



Sparky was born on August 22, 1928 in Jacksonville. Sparky grew up on the eastside on Spearing Street. Contrary to popular believe Sparky did not get his nick name because of the Fire Department. When Sparky was growing up there was a man that used to sit out in front of a gas station close to his house and never worked. When his mother would get upset with Sparky not doing his chores she would tell him “Okay that is alright, grow up and be like old Sparky, see if I care.”
Sparky joined the Marines in 1946 where he was an expert marksman and was called upon when needed. When Sparky left the Marines 3 years later he married his sweetheart Bertha.
Sparky went back into the Marines in just 2 months after being married. He then came out of the Marines and joined the Fire Department in 1953.
Sparky’s first assignment was Engine 3. Sparky likes to tell the story of a boxer named “Champ” that use to sit out front of the station with the guys while they were smoking. When one of the neighborhood citizens would come walking by they would put a cigarette in Champs mouth and everyone thought it was funny that the firemen’s dog knew how to smoke.
One of the reasons that Sparky came on the fire department was because of his ability to play softball. Chief Red Sams announced that the fire department now had a pitcher.
After leaving Station 3 Sparky went to station 9 and then shortly after that was assigned to the Rescue Division. Sparky retired from the Rescue Division as a Lieutenant.
The Mayor of Jacksonville, Haydon Burns always had two fire department personnel assigned to his office. Chief Frank Kelley called Sparky in his office one day and asked if he would be interested in driving the Mayor. The other fireman assigned at that time was Tom Crawford. Sparky then moved to the Mayor’s office.
After retiring and coming back to the department Sparky spent his last 5 years as Museum Curator. During his time at the Museum, Sparky and Keith Wood completely restored the old 1902 Steam Pumper.
 

Sparky and Bertha have now been married 60 years. They have 3 children, a son and 2 daughters. They have 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.	Sparky was on the Morocco Shiners Motorcycle Escort. He is proud to tell you he never trailered his bike he always rode to wherever they were going.	Sparky cherishes his first issued helmet.