Like many cities and towns in Massachusetts, my hometown of Brookline is facing serious financial problems that will probably result in the loss of an engine company and the reduction of 20 uniformed Firefighters from the fire department. A so called Efficiency Initiative Committee was formed last year to research where cuts in the Town's spending would be most effective. Not surprisingly their "findings" resulted in a recommendation to slice and dice the fire department, schools, DPW and other essential services. Yet the Town's upper management will continue to enjoy perks that the average rank and file employee will never benefit from. Also not surprising is that the Town will not reduce one upper manager in an effort to save money.
It is very easy to look at a piece of paper and recommend cuts but does the EIC have any clue as to the repercussions of the cuts? When a teacher, laborer, firefighter or police officer is eliminated will a member of the EIC volunteer to step in and fill their shoes when the Town faces a crisis? Will these same people who think we have more Firefighters than we need be the first to stand on their soapbox to complain about response times when their home has a fire or a loved one needs emergency medical attention and the first due engine is coming from across town? The answer to these questions is a definite "NO" to the first and "more than likely" to the second. In my opinion, the Efficiency Initiative Committee is nothing more than a group of ill informed people who's recommendations for service cuts if followed, will make services become INEFFICIENT.
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