City chief says mayor owes him an apology
Uniontown Fire Chief Myron Nypaver told Mayor James Sileo that he better have large paddy wagon ready on Christmas Eve this year if he intends to follow through with his threat to arrest firefighters who participate in an annual charity fundraiser. Speaking on behalf of about 20 firefighters and paramedics who attended Tuesday’s council meeting, Nypaver said the mayor owed them an apology for appearing on HSTV’s News 19 after this year’s boot drive and threatening to have them arrested.
Sileo did apologize, but explained that he received complaints from people who were told prior to the fire department’s fundraiser that soliciting donations from people in vehicles on public streets would no longer be tolerated.
He said he too took part in the fundraiser in the early 1990s when he was a councilman and the public safety director.
For at least the last 36 years, firefighters and paramedics have gathered along city streets for an hour on the day before Christmas to ask motorists to donate money to the Salvation Army. The drive raised about $5,500 last Christmas.
The problem with last year’s boot drive was that it occurred after the city sent letters to schools and veteran and religious organizations telling them that soliciting donations from the occupants of vehicles on roads is a violation of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code and city police will enforce it.
Solicitor Daniel Webster told the emergency personnel that the primary intention of the letters that Sileo sent was to stop children and teens from raising money that way because it is too dangerous for them.
He suggested that council meet with the fire department to come up with a way to safely carry on the charitable tradition.
Standing before the mayor, Nypaver said he considers it a privilege to lead the best emergency service department in the country and that he was “appalled” that he threatened to have them arrested.
They ring bells and ask for donations from motorists for an hour, but Nypaver said he was never told it was against the law.
He said volunteer members of the fire department leave work when the fire alarm sounds and “I think they’re owned an apology.”
Vowing to continue the tradition this year, Nypaver said, “You’ll have to get a big paddy wagon.”
Sileo said 12 women called him and complained that the fire department was allowed to do it, but nobody else was.
“I’ll take the blame,” Sileo said.
Webster said the practice does violate the motor vehicle code, but recommended meeting to find an alternative way to raise money.
Sileo said his first priority was the safety of school kids who used to walk between vehicles stopped at traffic lights at intersections and ask for money.
He said if a kid would have gotten killed during such a fundraiser, “the first call comes to the mayor’s office,” and he thought the fire department knew he was cracking down on that type of fundraising.
City Councilman Gary Crozier, the current public safety director and a volunteer fireman, said he has participated in the fundraiser for the last 36 years, except for last year, and promised to join in this year.
“If they’re going to arrest you, I’ll go in all of your places,” Crozier said to an ovation from the emergency personnel.
He said the Salvation Army brings hot coffee to firefighters when they are battling fires in the winter.
Nypaver brought a plaque that the Salvation Army presented the department for being its top fundraiser in 2004. He said the department has won the award many times before.