Politics & Public Safety

So what do we have to do in order to get a good radio system in Gadsden County. As I understand it, it is coming. However, it has been coming along for over 5 years now and that is just not good enough. I have gotten to the point where when I work a scene, I need to speak to those personnel that are assigned and also to our communications center. That is easier said than done in most cases.

So I took to getting involved with our Board of County Commissioners and send them a letter based on a meeting they had. I do not think that I held back. Here is that letter.

To: Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners

From: James Roberts III of Mount Pleasant Rd, Quincy

Subject: Gadsden County Public Safety Radio System

 

My thanks to the commission for allowing me the opportunity to submit this for public comment during these difficult times as they relates to the Coronavirus pandemic.

I am writing this email to discuss the ongoing issues with our public safety radio system.  I listened to the special meeting this past week and was very disappointed at what I heard come from the commission as it relates to the priority of the radio system.  I am a volunteer firefighter in this county and it is troubling to me that we do not have an adequate communications system that supports us during incidents.  I can cite many incidents where I have not been able to communicate with our communications center and personnel that I have been on scene with.  The most recent incident where we were unable to communicate was during the initial phase of the tornado that went through the St Johns neighborhood.  I, as the incident commander, personally made several attempts to contact our communications center, via my handheld radio, to provide life safety information and to get assistance only to be met with “We are unable to understand due to static” or “you are cutting in and out.”  Additionally, trying to direct units where the help was needed was challenging due to the radio system not performing.  We would have to constantly use a cell phone (if we were able to get a signal) or meet face to face.

I understand that we are in the process of getting a radio system in place, but I also understand that it has taken many years to get here due to delays.  However, it is just a matter of time before something horrible happens and lives are lost because we are not able to communicate vital lifesaving information on an antiquated radio system.

By not taking action and pushing this item to a workshop during the special meeting this past week, you have essentially taken the position that the lives of your constituents do not matter and the lives of your first responders do not matter.  For Commissioner Taylor to comment that everything is OK because “no one has called” her is asinine and totally opposite of where this system is currently.

Yes equipment has been purchased with several pieces put in place such as the new dispatch consoles and new portable radios issued to some on the current system.  However, all of this put in place does not make the system better.  A new radio on an old system does not make the system better.  New dispatch consoles in a redesigned communications center on the old system does not make the system better.  The system will only be better when all of the equipment has been installed, new towers erected, new repeaters put in service, new infrastructure to protect these sites and new radio equipment is distributed to the personnel on the frontlines.  When all of this is completed and the system is online, the system should and I repeat…SHOULD be better.

For Commissioner Holt to want a side by side comparison of what needs to be done didn’t make sense to me.  The County agreed to complete items as part of the contract and the county must do their part and make it happen. Turnover or not…that is what you contracted and agreed to do.

My thanks to Commissioner Morgan the only commissioner who stood by the first responders of this community and pushed not to delay this process any more that what it has been delayed already.

While Chairman Viegbesie along with Commissioners Hinson, Holt and Taylor all said they didn’t want to delay the process, they did so with their vote. That is a problem for many of us first responders when the majority of the Commission does not support us and why many of us have lost faith in the Commission.

What will it take for you all to act, will it take a first responder to die for you all to take action, will it take one of your constituents to die for you all to take action!!!  I certainly hope not.  As public safety personnel, we need to be able to communicate effectively and have a system in place that allows us to do that.  Not just for us, but for those we serve, the citizens of Gadsden County. Unfortunately, right now, WE DO NOT have that system!!

Thank you all for your time and allowing me to submit my concerns to you about our public safety radio system.

 

James Roberts III

Getting Back

So in December of 2018 I was fortunate to get back involved with the Fire Department again. I am so privileged to have this opportunity even though I am much older than I was when I first got involved. Not many know, but I got my start as a Junior Firefighter at 14 years old and worked hard, made Lieutenant before the station closed in 1989. 

So now after many years of being out of the fire service, I am a part of a great bunch of firefighters and support staff with the Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department in Gadsden County. Recently, 3 of our firefighters were given some responsibility within the Department. I was one of the three andwas asked to oversee operations. I am very humbled and thankful for the opportunity.

Publishing a Website

So I am trying this website thing to see what it is like. It has been a little weird because I do not work on it much, but it's free and just curious if I will get any hits.

So if you get a few minutes and want to see a simple site - mine is it. Just keep in mind that it is work in progress and I do get a chance to work on it occasionally.

This is my little place on the Internet. Check it out - click the link below.

Circle JR Ranch

Poster Child

Well there comes a time in one's life when you become a poster child for something. Just this last week, I became a poster child of how impactful politics can be.

It all started in the spring while attending a Sons of The American Legion meeting in Indianapolis. During this meeting our committee interviewed several qualified candidates for office and some not so qualified candidates for office. While the committee agreed on this, a discussion ensued on the implications that the committee could face for not choosing a specific candidate. A candidate who was less qualified than other candidates. However, this candidate apparently had the backing of a senior official in our parent organization The American Legion who, we were told, expressed that if he got his guy, he would leave our committee alone. Those that know me, know that I am not a politician and do not like the political games. They also know that I have a tendency to stand up for what I believe is right (right, wrong or indifferent). Well I did...I immediately said "F**K this guy and anyone else involved!!!" If the less qualified candidate is selected "They Win!!" I, along with a few others, got on our high horse for a little bit, rightfully so.

Well we took a vote and it was in favor of the less qualified candidate. Of course the selected candidate is brought up and congratulated and the ones not in favor of this person (including me) spoke our peace and left the room before he could arrive. Of course this led to another conversation the next day in the lobby of the hotel, a conversation that should have never been initiated by the individual that initiated it. That conversation wasn't pleasant and it was in a hotel lobby for everyone to see and hear.

Which leads me to this past week. During our convention in Minneapolis. I found out that the political machine pretty much rolled over top of me for my comments in the spring committee meeting. As a result, I found out through channels that I was removed from that committee by our parent organization. All because I stood up for what I believed was the right thing to do and because I stood up and spoke my peace in opposition of outside influences into the selections of good qualified candidates to lead our organization. Of course I did use that colorful metaphor that begins with and "F".

All said and done, I believe someone in the meeting went back and reported what had happened which resulted in my removal.

I have no regrets for what has happened and would do it again. Standing up for what is right is a good quality to have and my parents helped to instill that in my DNA. The bright side is that I have one less meeting to attend, but I now get more time to attend and participate in other meetings that will shape our future and look for good candidates that can take our organization to higher levels.

Leaders

I had a good week last week...a little weird...but a good experience.

For work I was in the panhandle at a summit that brought public safety officials from across the country together to learn about how agencies handled situations in Ferguson, Baltimore, Sanford and other locations of civil unrest in the country. This summit was more focused on Law Enforcement Activities, but really spans across the spectrum of Public Safety.

To get us kicked off was Former FSU Head Football Coach Bobby Bowden. Many know that I am not a big college football, but Coach Bowden is a really great speaker and he is not afraid to put it out there and I like that.

The one thing that all of the speakers have in common is that they all had great presentations about leadership. This summit was good for me to listen and learn a little something more on leadership. One can't learn enough.

I think that I am a pretty good leader...not perfect...not great...but pretty good. Teaching courses for the Sons give me a new outlook on leadership as I am trying to give instruction based on my experiences as a leader.

We all know that there are bad leaders out there and I am sure that we have all had one or more in our careers. I know that I have. Some think they need to bully their employees or threaten their employees. As unfortunate as it is, people like these are often in a position of power and they exert it negatively and it usually makes for a hostile environment to work in.

One of the things that I learned last week is that there are 3 virtues of a good leader. I was kind of taken back by this as but after giving some thought, reflecting on it and remembering some of the things that I teach, I agreed that these are key.

1. Compassionate
• A good leader needs to show compassion for their fellow man, employee, teammate and etc.
2. Integrity
• Yep - agree 100%. Without integrity it is my opinion you are done as a leader and not very credible.
3. Courage of Conviction
• A good leader should have the courage to stand up for what is right and what they believe in.
• Good, bad, or indifferent.

I do a lot of teaching for the Sons of The American Legion and most pertains to leadership. How effective I am - I do not know. However, based on evaluations I am doing better than average which is good for me...I think.

Douglas MacArthur said it right when he said "A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent." I know that I couldn't have said it any better and the really cool thing is that it is right in line with what I learned last week.

My Ranch

Well here I am again...That's right I am back handling things Around My Ranch.

In case you are wondering, my Ranch, is vast and pretty much spans everywhere I go and everything I do. There are times when I am in a good place and then there are times where I am not in a good place and I intend to speak about my time around the Ranch every so often.

People who know me, know that I am not bashful about putting things out there. So you will have to forgive me in advance, but anything I post is only my opinions and do not represent the view of any organizations or individuals.

So I hope that you will enjoy the things "Around My Ranch."