Drill Teams Cost Too Much To Run

[Running Out of Money]

I think its' about time to start to take good long look at Fire Departments who have drill teams and how they are funded.

[Unregistered$$$$$$]

The MAJORITY of FD racing drill teams are funded by TAXPAYER DOLLARS!

[SHHHHHHHHHHH]

The MAJORITY of FD racing drill teams are funded by TAXPAYER DOLLARS!


SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHH


They are "recruitment vehicles". And they $9 a gallon to run them is just an expense..

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[SHHHHHHHHHHH]

The MAJORITY of FD racing drill teams are funded by TAXPAYER DOLLARS!


SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHH


They are "recruitment vehicles". And the $9 a gallon to run them is just an expense..

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Pissed Taxpayer]

How much of my tax dollars go to pay for play toys's for the firemen to " train"with?

[goldmember88]

How much of my tax dollars go to pay for play toys's for the firemen to " train"with?

Go down to your local FD and find out... Your Board of Fire Commissioners have a public meeting every month. Address your questions there.

[Unregisteredyeahright]

Go down to your local FD and find out... Your Board of Fire Commissioners have a public meeting every month. Address your questions there.

And your Commissioners will promptly stonewall or ignore you. Come on, you talk like these guys are straight forward.

Getting Information from your department or your Commissioners is like pulling teeth.

[GoldMemberClub]

And your Commissioners will promptly stonewall or ignore you. Come on, you talk like these guys are straight forward.

Getting Information from your department or your Commissioners is like pulling teeth.

Executive Session. You can leave the room now.

[No Vroom vroom]

Executive Session. You can leave the room now.


We have a BINGO!!!!!

[A volly in Northport]

How much of my tax dollars go to pay for play toys's for the firemen to " train"with?

If you think the race car is expensive, just wait until we form a union, demand police-class pay & benefits and a pension after 20 years for service. You'll quickly realize that a race car for the VOLUNTEERS to tinker with between calls is a better deal for you.

Enjoy it while you can.

[goldmember88]

We have a BINGO!!!!!

Again, its called a FOIL request. Can get any information you desire. Also, the Board of Fire Commissioners can only go into executive session for certain things (membership, disipline, etc). Questions from the public is not one of them. Instead of asking questions personally, you can write the Board your questions, and they will answer them.

[Cant justify waste]

If you think the race car is expensive, just wait until we form a union, demand police-class pay & benefits and a pension after 20 years for service. You'll quickly realize that a race car for the VOLUNTEERS to tinker with between calls is a better deal for you.

Enjoy it while you can.

Yes, we know our taxes may rise. But you can't pick and choose your calls when your paycheck depends on it.

So save the defense of race cars. Economy is tough for everyone. I'm sure some districts will hold off on a K12 saw or a few other tools because the economy is tough, but have money for racing.

Don't need tax dollars wasted foolishly, be it in the schools, water or fire districts.

And racing toys are a waste.

Does Northport have a board, or do you get your money through the village?

Ask the village for 2 racing toys, and a tractor trailer to carry them.

Good Luck.

[Unregisteredtools]

I still have yet to see any district reject firefighting equipment in favor of racing equipment

[infavor]

I still have yet to see any district reject firefighting equipment in favor of racing equipment

The district just has higher fire district taxes to pay for the drill team and its associated racing vehicles. Nothing comes for free.

[lbltjag]

Again, its called a FOIL request. Can get any information you desire. Also, the Board of Fire Commissioners can only go into executive session for certain things (membership, disipline, etc). Questions from the public is not one of them. Instead of asking questions personally, you can write the Board your questions, and they will answer them.

I've got a question for you Goldmember, have you ever FOIL'ed anything from any governmental agency?

If you had, you'd know that they release only the most innocuous records. Anything that they feel would reflect poorly upon them is denied. They'll cite some ridiculous and improper basis for their denial.

The way the law is set up at present, there is no disincentive for those that wish to thumb their nose at the FOIL laws.

If an agency refuses to comply, the onus is upon the party making the request to go to court and have the court order the documents to be produced. Yes, you will have your legal fees reimbursed if you prevail, but you still have to finance that fight.

The agencies that are subject to the FOIL have that advantage. They know that if they stonewall you, it will take a Herculean effort on your part to force them to release the information sought. As I have stated many times here and elsewhere, the light of day is not the friend of the volunteer fire service. Only the most committed possess the fortitude and resources to peel away the BS and get to the truth about the way their department or district operates.

I'm going to read into Goldmember's tag and say that he/she is a former or current Chief or Commissioner.

Either way, your posts demonstrate a complete lack of real world experience in the realm of government accountability. Try FOIL'ing something some time. If you fail to dot your "i", your request will be denied. If the request is not on an approved request form, it'll be denied. If you fail to set forth with sufficient specificity what it is you're looking for, your request will be denied.

The FOIL laws, by themselves, are a joke. The manner in which BOFC's conduct their meetings is equally evasive. For Goldmember to simply say "go to a meeting" in response to the frustration expressed by those here is equivalent to him sticking his middle finger up at them.

That's hardly the way any taxpayer financed entity should be treating those that finance their operations.

[Brian of Northport]

Yes, we know our taxes may rise. But you can't pick and choose your calls when your paycheck depends on it.

So save the defense of race cars. Economy is tough for everyone. I'm sure some districts will hold off on a K12 saw or a few other tools because the economy is tough, but have money for racing.

Don't need tax dollars wasted foolishly, be it in the schools, water or fire districts.

And racing toys are a waste.

Does Northport have a board, or do you get your money through the village?

Ask the village for 2 racing toys, and a tractor trailer to carry them.

Good Luck.

I don't disagree. I was never really defending the race cars. My department hasn't had a car in years and I don't think it's missed.

[FST]

Volunteers save the taxpayers much more than it costs to fund the teams and other incentives that keep people coming back. But the controversy of having the teams might not be worth the benefits. People don't understand what it would cost to go paid. But they do question spending money on the teams.

[Summertime]

With gas heading towards $5 per gallon let's see what's more impotant to the drill teams, their own fun and games or keeping the taxpayers happy.

Actually both county drill team assocaitons should lead the way and cancel the 2008 season.

We better realize soon that we voluteer to fight fires. In days of low taxes and reasonable gas and other expenses the Public didn't mind if we amused ourselves in return for what we did for free, but now it's just to damn expensive.

Don't give them another chance to bash us, stick to old fashion this summer.

[joski]

Its Time For Paid Firemen.......not Vollie Cry Babies Who Want To Race ......only An Asshole Would Believe That The Drill Team As Anything To Do With Training When Was The Last Time Your Brought The Buckets To A Fire.....25 Year Vollie

[Unregistered0986421]

If you take a drill team budget and devide it by the number of households that contribute taxes including businesses etc. You are talking about one maybe 2 dollars per house hold.

So if you dont like the dollars or two that the drill team uses to run their program get out from behind your computer and volunteer in your local department. help recruit new members and contribute to your community. If you do that you will recieve a tax break on your taxes to off set the drill teams spending.

By the way I volunteer and am a former drill team member. I said former because my new deptartment doesn't have any racing teams be it old fashion or motorized.

Oh by the way this $9 a gallon gas some spoke about, our drill team only used about 20 gallons all season in two trucks so stop stirring sh1t about gas. You are bitching about $180.00 how cheap do you sound now!

[out by the pond fishing]

With gas heading towards $5 per gallon let's see what's more impotant to the drill teams, their own fun and games or keeping the taxpayers happy.

Actually both county drill team assocaitons should lead the way and cancel the 2008 season.

We better realize soon that we voluteer to fight fires. In days of low taxes and reasonable gas and other expenses the Public didn't mind if we amused ourselves in return for what we did for free, but now it's just to damn expensive.

Don't give them another chance to bash us, stick to old fashion this summer.

my departments drill trucks, oh sorry, the correct taxpayer deceiving name is called hose tender, run on aircraft fuel, and it is alot higher then 5.00 a gallon. Then you forget to figure in the costs of all the beer, burgers and steaks these clowns get from the department. The drill team is a waste of taxpayer dollars. Inflated insurance costs. Trips upstate, and maybe a hotel room being damaged up. All these expeses add up. I forgot the small costs of rebuilding 440's, 427's, all those big block racing engines. THe last one tagged our department for over 30 grand.

[Unregistered655677]

my departments drill trucks, oh sorry, the correct taxpayer deceiving name is called hose tender, run on aircraft fuel, and it is alot higher then 5.00 a gallon. Then you forget to figure in the costs of all the beer, burgers and steaks these clowns get from the department. The drill team is a waste of taxpayer dollars. Inflated insurance costs. Trips upstate, and maybe a hotel room being damaged up. All these expeses add up. I forgot the small costs of rebuilding 440's, 427's, all those big block racing engines. THe last one tagged our department for over 30 grand.
get a f***ing life, join because you sound like your jelous, or maybe out of shape. And by the way what do you do for the department, carry the good book on your shoulders to screw a member(s) from what they deserve. Your really a jackass.

[what I do]

get a f***ing life, join because you sound like your jelous, or maybe out of shape. And by the way what do you do for the department, carry the good book on your shoulders to screw a member(s) from what they deserve. Your really a jackass.


What I do for my department?

I get up for the bs 3am calls, while you are snuggled in bed, after a tough night of bashing and drinking.

I go to the drills at the fire academy, while you sit on your ass and see what you can get from the department for free.

I find ways to help my department, you find ways to "buck the system", so you can get your losap award.

I vollie my time for other companies and show up to help at other funvtions, while you sit on your ass and pray they fail.

I welcome change for the better, you welcome only what benifits your stupid lazy cheese eating ass.

I drink soda and water, you drink beer

I sleep with your wife, you drink beer.

I can use all the facitlites and activities the department has to offer, you can't because your low on points.

I went to that call last night, you sit with the other losers who did not and nit pick and dissect what everyone else did wrong.

I live in reality, your whole worl is based on beer and bullshit!

Summary

You are a leach, asshole and a loser who does nothing but support a group of people who are the most self centered around.

Take one hard and high >

[DAMN!]

Damn, and I thought I was the only one who had this types in my house.

[Unregistered6969696969]

If you think the race car is expensive, just wait until we form a union, demand police-class pay & benefits and a pension after 20 years for service. You'll quickly realize that a race car for the VOLUNTEERS to tinker with between calls is a better deal for you.

Enjoy it while you can.


Most of you retard vollies wouldnt make the grade anyway....better off hiring real firefighters, thru civil service screening, close 3/4s of the firehouses, buy trucks and equipment in bulk, and build a real fire service! And....Maybe we could get an ambulance to a scene in under 6 mins!!!!
Thats the way to save money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Unregisterednoway]

If you take a drill team budget and devide it by the number of households that contribute taxes including businesses etc. You are talking about one maybe 2 dollars per house hold.

So if you dont like the dollars or two that the drill team uses to run their program get out from behind your computer and volunteer in your local department. help recruit new members and contribute to your community. If you do that you will recieve a tax break on your taxes to off set the drill teams spending.

By the way I volunteer and am a former drill team member. I said former because my new deptartment doesn't have any racing teams be it old fashion or motorized.

Oh by the way this $9 a gallon gas some spoke about, our drill team only used about 20 gallons all season in two trucks so stop stirring sh1t about gas. You are bitching about $180.00 how cheap do you sound now!

Guess what....I still would give an emphatic "NO" to a drill team even if it cost only 2 dollars per household in my community. I still do not understand the need for a Volunteer agency to have a "drag" racing team! I would rather see the money spent on training for the real firefighters of a department. The ones who have camaraderie with each other... not the boy's club of a drill team. To me there is no realistic purpose to it. That 180 bucks..guess what? We just paid for training for 2 new EMT's. And as far as volunteering, I do. I am a firefighter and an EMT and ride for both. I have 2 children also in the dept. with me. So my family gives plenty of time to volunteering. And no I was never turned down for a spot on a team. We haven't had one since the early 70's because they finally realized what a waste it was before I got into this dept.

[emtclass]

Newsflash guy: EMT class is $600-800 now, not $90

[wake up jerk off]

Guess what....I still would give an emphatic "NO" to a drill team even if it cost only 2 dollars per household in my community. I still do not understand the need for a Volunteer agency to have a "drag" racing team! I would rather see the money spent on training for the real firefighters of a department. The ones who have camaraderie with each other... not the boy's club of a drill team. To me there is no realistic purpose to it. That 180 bucks..guess what? We just paid for training for 2 new EMT's. And as far as volunteering, I do. I am a firefighter and an EMT and ride for both. I have 2 children also in the dept. with me. So my family gives plenty of time to volunteering. And no I was never turned down for a spot on a team. We haven't had one since the early 70's because they finally realized what a waste it was before I got into this dept.

in case you have your fat head in your ass, your mother's ass, dog's ass, we ae in the beginning stages of a recession. while 180 dollars seems like peanuts for you, two things to consider. Did you or do you pay the 180 out of your own pocket. People that are making real life choices as to whether to pay their liloc bill or put food on the table, could give a rat's fucking ass about thinking 180 dollars is petty. I think it is time you move out of the family trailer.

[Unregisteredkno]

Newsflash guy: EMT class is $600-800 now, not $90

Newsflash....75 for Vollies. Check the sheet.

[Unregisteredduh]

in case you have your fat head in your ass, your mother's ass, dog's ass, we ae in the beginning stages of a recession. while 180 dollars seems like peanuts for you, two things to consider. Did you or do you pay the 180 out of your own pocket. People that are making real life choices as to whether to pay their liloc bill or put food on the table, could give a rat's fucking ass about thinking 180 dollars is petty. I think it is time you move out of the family trailer.


Hey bonehead...reread what I wrote I think we are saying the same thing. 180 dollars is 180 dollars too much to give for a race team. Like I said ...in these times it could train 2 EMT's

[Summertime]

get a f***ing life, join because you sound like your jelous, or maybe out of shape. And by the way what do you do for the department, carry the good book on your shoulders to screw a member(s) from what they deserve. Your really a jackass.

What I do is at over 20 uears in I still have an active percentage, serve on committees, serve in offce, go to training, help train the probies, drive, go to work details and listen to BS from butt pirate like you.

You want the end of the Vollies? If you do keep pissing away money on Motorized Teams. Like the other guy said easily over $24k per year. Taxpayers, who are the reason we're here can't afford it. They don't munf us having some simple things as a way of saying thanks, but not wasting money on motorized drill teams.

So listen if you dick is that small that you have to compensate for your lack of size by running motorized maybe you should just bite the bullet, have that sex change operation you've been considering and change your name to Mary.

[Unregistered deserve]

get a f***ing life, join because you sound like your jelous, or maybe out of shape. And by the way what do you do for the department, carry the good book on your shoulders to screw a member(s) from what they deserve. Your really a jackass.

you volunteer you jackass, you don't deserve anything. that's your problem you guys think people owe you. no one forced you to join and no one will stop youi from leaving

[Unregistered86868 8]

Guy for whatever reasons the vollie departments drop motorized racing programs, it has to be dropped. We all know the costs asscoaited with it and this year with fuel pricing rising every day it's gonna be mad crazy. It's in the best interest of the departments and the taxpayers that we put an end to it voluntarily. Hey if we don't then the taxpayers and the towns and counties around NY will do it for us.

We're supposed to be volunteers, we can no longer hold onto racing teams as an R&R tool. Run old fashion, just as much competition and a fraction of the costs.

Bottom line is all the bad stuff that appears about us isn't all true, we know that. But the fact is there are a lot of things that need to be done better, smarter and cheaper.

Look I'm not talking down to anyone, but remember when we were kids and our parents would tell us to clean our rooms or they'd clean them for us. Well fellow FF's we're being told that now, but many of us don't hear it.

If we don't bring about change and clean things up the state and counties will step in and clean things up for us. Unfortunately the botom line is ultimately they'll screw it up also and it will cost a fortune in taxes, but if we don't make a real effort to reform and progress the volunteer service will soon be a thing of the past.

Not puttin down the motorized teams here, just stating the obvious.

[Still crazy 2]

We're out of our friggin minds if we think that the taxpayers are going to sit still while we piss away money on drill teams while gas costs a fortune and taxes are going up.

[goldmember88]

We're out of our friggin minds if we think that the taxpayers are going to sit still while we piss away money on drill teams while gas costs a fortune and taxes are going up.

3rd party???? I believe you meant "you're", "you" and "you"....

[xmas wish list]

we got the shack
we got the motors redone
we got some new blood
we gets whatever we wants


what we cannot get is placing in a tourney!

[Unregistered13]

What about the teams and there are a lot more than you think, that raise their own money to support and fund their racing teams? You should educate yourselves a little better and not believe every team is run the same way based on a newspaper article you read or a rumor you heard.

[RUTHEMETS?]

we got the shack
we got the motors redone
we got some new blood
we gets whatever we wants


what we cannot get is placing in a tourney!

Ha Ha

[Unregistered1]

Does Patchogue (40 thieves) still have a drill team?

I do not see the race that they have near shorefront park listed. Or any race with them in it.

[yawn yawn]

What about the teams and there are a lot more than you think, that raise their own money to support and fund their racing teams? You should educate yourselves a little better and not believe every team is run the same way based on a newspaper article you read or a rumor you heard.

The petty amount the raise thru " fundraisers " is a drop in the piss bucket compared to the insurance, the fuel, the overwhelming rebuilding costs of the motors and trannies, and the countless insurance claims that are submitted, all funded on the tax dime.

Go lollygag someone else with your education bullshit. THe drill teams are a waste of monen, PERIOD! If this were the 50's and 60's, it would be acceptable. When people are struggle everyday, just to survive and have no savings. Maybe you should let go of your mother's nipples and get a mortgage, a wife, a pet, some billes, other then those hefty 12oz'ers you rack up after the big "drills".

[informant]

Patchogue does not have a team. They have been suspended for 3 years from the State Association and 5 years from the Suffolk County Association, for taking them them to court. From what I know, they took them to court because the Association made rule changes that would cost the taxpayer money and Patchogue felt it was wrong. I say call OSHA and have them enforce their Seat Belt law! How come firefighters are not allowed to ride the back step without a strap going to a fire, but these racing guys are allowed to ride the back step for recreation?

[Unregistered1]

Patchogue does not have a team. They have been suspended for 3 years from the State Association and 5 years from the Suffolk County Association, for taking them them to court. From what I know, they took them to court because the Association made rule changes that would cost the taxpayer money and Patchogue felt it was wrong. I say call OSHA and have them enforce their Seat Belt law! How come firefighters are not allowed to ride the back step without a strap going to a fire, but these racing guys are allowed to ride the back step for recreation?

Thank you.

I guess ??? Patchogue did not want to wear seatbelts?
I guess in 2011 they will be back, maybe.
I do not know if this is the right place to post this:
Could someone tell me if the Brookhaven Town Drill
at Selden/Ridge is similar to the one that they had in Patchogue. My son loved watching it in Patchogue and I would like to take him to one this summer.

[Unregistered754256]

The Brookhaven Town Drill will be the same events that were run at Patchogue. Do not get there late though since there will only be a handful of teams running.

[Unregistered1]

The Brookhaven Town Drill will be the same events that were run at Patchogue. Do not get there late though since there will only be a handful of teams running.

Thank you!

[VJFD BLOWS]

Go Corammmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!

Vjfd Blows

[1979]

Patchogue does not have a team. They have been suspended for 3 years from the State Association and 5 years from the Suffolk County Association, for taking them them to court. From what I know, they took them to court because the Association made rule changes that would cost the taxpayer money and Patchogue felt it was wrong. I say call OSHA and have them enforce their Seat Belt law! How come firefighters are not allowed to ride the back step without a strap going to a fire, but these racing guys are allowed to ride the back step for recreation?


Correction... Patchogue still has a racing team. And the 40 Thieves still exist. The "man" just has his thumb on them for the time being. They'll be back.

[offical's rules]

Patchogue does not have a team. They have been suspended for 3 years from the State Association and 5 years from the Suffolk County Association, for taking them them to court. From what I know, they took them to court because the Association made rule changes that would cost the taxpayer money and Patchogue felt it was wrong. I say call OSHA and have them enforce their Seat Belt law! How come firefighters are not allowed to ride the back step without a strap going to a fire, but these racing guys are allowed to ride the back step for recreation?



Patchogue was suspended from racing for cheating with their hoses. The officials used computers to time the water from the hydrant to the nozzle. For this arguement we will say that the water time out on the officals hose at 4.3 seconds. Patchogue's hoses where timed at under three seconds. The officals cut off the coupling and took the hose from patchogue. Since this was a second or third offence at cheating they were suspended from racing for three years. So, the moral here is that if you still want to race in NYS you cant cheat. Oh and as far as the seat belt law the drivers must wear their seat belt or else they are disquailified for the event in which the driver didn't wear his seat belt.

[Jack Sparrow]

Patchogue was suspended from racing for cheating with their hoses. The officials used computers to time the water from the hydrant to the nozzle. For this arguement we will say that the water time out on the officals hose at 4.3 seconds. Patchogue's hoses where timed at under three seconds. The officals cut off the coupling and took the hose from patchogue. Since this was a second or third offence at cheating they were suspended from racing for three years. So, the moral here is that if you still want to race in NYS you cant cheat. Oh and as far as the seat belt law the drivers must wear their seat belt or else they are disquailified for the event in which the driver didn't wear his seat belt.

Maybe you should get your facts straight before you turn the computer on, post nonsense, and then sound like and resemble a total moron.

Patchogue, or "us" in this case, was suspended for taking the NYVSFPDTCA to court over the "wheelie wheel" ruling. We "broke" rule 7.01E...which states: "Any team or department that goes outside of this association for any legal interpretation or ruling over the State Association will automatically be suspended for 3 years including the next 3 State Motorized and/or Old Fashioned Drills".

Please...next time.... do a little research.

[willin willie]

terrace has a shitty team. no experiance and NO leadership anymore

[lbltjag]

http://www.sthcs.org/Uploads/File/FASNYeconomicimpactstudy.pdf

[Unregisteredheyjag]

http://www.sthcs.org/Uploads/File/FASNYeconomicimpactstudy.pdf
i would love to be your digger on c ladder, I would let you mount and "roll off like I missed it", my bad, dirtbag...

[Schlonger]

terrace has a shitty team. no experiance and NO leadership anymore


Oh Yea

[Uninspired]

terrace has a shitty team. no experiance and NO leadership anymore

They are fun to watch!

[vgintheterrace?]

State of the art rides, same hose so bring in the people who know how to use it. They got some free time right now. Vanguard and Germantown, now that would be a hoot!

[unregistered010307]

just go back to old fashioned drill tournaments they are cheaper and still fun to watch and participate in

[UnregisteredBOOHOO]

Ya Ya Ya Waste Of Money, Waa, Wasting Taxpayer Money. Go On Foodstamps If You Can't Afford To Feed Your Kids.

[let me guess now]

just go back to old fashioned drill tournaments they are cheaper and still fun to watch and participate in

And have never been called back again, right?

[U Do Not Get It]

Guys for whatever reasons the vollie departments drop motorized racing programs, it has to be dropped. We all know the costs asscoaited with it and this year with fuel pricing rising every day it's gonna be mad crazy. It's in the best interest of the departments and the taxpayers that we put an end to it voluntarily. Hey if we don't then the taxpayers and the towns and counties around NY will do it for us.

We're supposed to be volunteers, we can no longer hold onto racing teams as an R&R tool. Run old fashion, just as much competition and a fraction of the costs.

Bottom line is all the bad stuff that appears about us isn't all true, we know that. But the fact is there are a lot of things that need to be done better, smarter and cheaper.

Look I'm not talking down to anyone, but remember when we were kids and our parents would tell us to clean our rooms or they'd clean them for us. Well fellow FF's we're being told that now, but many of us don't hear it.

If we don't bring about change and clean things up the state and counties will step in and clean things up for us. Unfortunately the botom line is ultimately they'll screw it up also and it will cost a fortune in taxes, but if we don't make a real effort to reform and progress the volunteer service will soon be a thing of the past.

Not puttin down the motorized teams here, just stating the obvious.

[Unregistered$$$]

Money is anything that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts.[1] The main uses of money are as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and a store of value.[2] Some authors explicitly require money to be a standard of deferred payment.[3]

The term "price system" is sometimes used to refer to methods using commodity valuation or money accounting systems.

Money includes both currency, particularly the many circulating currencies with legal tender status, and various forms of financial deposit accounts, such as demand deposits, savings accounts, and certificates of deposit. In modern economies, currency is the smallest component of the money supply.

Money is not the same as value, the latter being the basic element in economics. Money is central to the study of economics and forms its most cogent link to finance. The absence of money causes a market economy to be inefficient because it requires a coincidence of wants between traders, and an agreement that these needs are of equal value, before a barter exchange can occur. The use of money is thought to encourage trade and the division of labour.

The word "money" is believed to originate from a temple of Hera, located on Capitoline, one of Rome's seven hills. In the ancient world Hera was often associated with money. The temple of Juno Moneta at Rome was the place where the mint of Ancient Rome was located.[4]. "Juno" etymology may derives from the Etruscan goddess Uni (which means "the one", "unique", "unit", "union", "united") and "Moneta" either from the Latin word "monere" (remind, warn, or instruct) or the Greek word "moneres" (alone, unique).

[Unregistered$$$]

big$$$$

[UnregisteredOOOO]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Unregisteredspdrcr]

With all the scrutiny, cost of fuel and insurance.

It was entertaining and fun but it is time to pull the plug on racing.

[Unregisteredyawn]

Evidently you don't control anything, now do you????

[Stratocaster]

You people are hilarious.

First off, another racing season has just about come and gone. So you're not shutting anything down in 2008.

And, quite honestly, the way I see it, no one person's effort or group's effort will be able to put an end to firematic racing. Answer this, what politician is going to put his name on trying to end a 100 year old tradition in the volunteer fire service on Long Island, and risk losing the "volunteer vote"?? None, that's who. The volunteer service on Long Island, has more power than you think it does.

Secondly, in most every case, fire districts don't have to bring drill team budgets before a public vote. You essentially have no say. As pissed off as the public may be about drill team racing, the only recourse you have is to continually vote out the commissioners that support their drill teams, and hope you get one's voted in that can change things. That process could take 5 years or more. And again, no politician is going to spearhead any movement to get drill team racing stopped. It's too risky for their political career. Anyone who isn't aware that most everything here on LI is politically driven or controlled, lives with their head in the sand.

Even mighty Newsday tried to "blow the lid" off drill team racing. And what did that change? Nothing. The unaware public, read the articles, became informed about how much their fire districts were spending on drill teams, they shrugged their shoulders, and then went back to their suburban lifestyles.

Like so many other issues we face here on LI, it's just the way it is.

[Unregistered$!$!]

You people are hilarious.

First off, another racing season has just about come and gone. So you're not shutting anything down in 2008.

And, quite honestly, the way I see it, no one person's effort or group's effort will be able to put an end to firematic racing. Answer this, what politician is going to put his name on trying to end a 100 year old tradition in the volunteer fire service on Long Island, and risk losing the "volunteer vote"?? None, that's who. The volunteer service on Long Island, has more power than you think it does.

Secondly, in most every case, fire districts don't have to bring drill team budgets before a public vote. You essentially have no say. As pissed off as the public may be about drill team racing, the only recourse you have is to continually vote out the commissioners that support their drill teams, and hope you get one's voted in that can change things. That process could take 5 years or more. And again, no politician is going to spearhead any movement to get drill team racing stopped. It's too risky for their political career. Anyone who isn't aware that most everything here on LI is politically driven or controlled, lives with their head in the sand.

Even mighty Newsday tried to "blow the lid" off drill team racing. And what did that change? Nothing. The unaware public, read the articles, became informed about how much their fire districts were spending on drill teams, they shrugged their shoulders, and then went back to their suburban lifestyles.

Like so many other issues we face here on LI, it's just the way it is.

There is one little issue you did forget, when you do need the public's approval, you won't get it!

Examples: Lindenhurst's new firehouse, Setauket's, West Babylon's Land expansion

They all died at the hands of the taxpayer's, it is a shame for Lindenhurst, the Snails have all that racing equipment and building, but their main firehouse is something out of the horse and buggy days. You are the one with your head in the sand. Times are changing, there is more and more government oversight; will it happen quickly? No it will take some time but you can bet it will happen. That arrogance will eventually come back to bite you