After 55 years of raising money for MDA Mayor Dan "The Grinch" Sullivan gives Anchorage firefighters the boot! Well actually, to be technical, he takes the boot away.

From ADN:

Mayor Dan Sullivan on Tuesday vetoed an Assembly-approved city ordinance that made it clear on-duty Anchorage firefighters could ethically take part in an annual charity fundraiser, the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Alaska's fill-the-boot campaign.

In his veto message, Sullivan said the ordinance results in an expectation that the Assembly or mayor will give permission to use municipal resources to one group but not another.

"It will create a competitive, pressure environment where private parties, including charitable nonprofits, will feel compelled to lobby Assembly member and the mayor," he said, and that raises questions about fairness.

Sullivan also referred to the ethics ordinance passed while he was an Assembly member, in 2007, saying the Assembly at that time decided the best policy was to prohibit use of on-duty personnel and equipment from being used for private purposes.

"As public officials we have an obligation to ensure that taxpayer dollars are only used for legitimate government purposes," he said.

The mayor said his administration will make its own revisions to clarify the ethics ordinance. He said use of city resources for events such as parades and festivals would still be allowed in most circumstances.

Assembly member Elvi Gray- Jackson, a main backer of allowing on-duty firefighters to continue with their traditional fundraising effort, said she would try to get the Assembly to override the veto. But that takes eight votes, and she's not sure eight of the 11 Assembly members will go along.

She noted Sullivan has used his veto power regularly, and said, "I can't believe he's continuing with his power trip."

Assembly chairman Dick Traini said he supports a veto override. "The public needs to have this, the kids who suffer from muscular dystrophy need this."

Okay a couple of things.  Firstly this is a very popular and effective method of gathering donations for MDA.  I have seen the firefighters running around at stoplights for years while holding out a boot for people to put money into, and watched as delighted commuters dug deep and handed over the cash with big smiles on their faces. The only concern  I have ever heard voiced is that one of the firemen might get hit by a car accidentally.  In 55 years it has never happened, but hey if it did they have plenty of trained emergency responders only a few feet away.

Secondly though these guys are technically on duty, the fundraising does NOT interfere with their ability to respond to an emergency.  They are suited up and ready to roll, probably even faster than if they were just sitting around the fire station cleaning their hoses.

Thirdly, if Sullivan's veto holds that will mean that Anchorage will be just about the only city in Alaska NOT participating this year.  How does that make us look to the rest of our community?

Fourthly, this has NOTHING to do with saving tax money,or showing fairness, and EVERYTHING to do with vindictiveness.  Sullivan is still pissed that the Firefighters Union did not endorse his candidacy and, just like his mentor Sarah Palin, he holds a grudge and punishes those who dare to slight him.

Of course like the coward that he is, that means Sullivan will target the children suffering with a debilitating disease to teach the firefighters a lesson. 

This guy is some piece of work isn't he?  I certainly hope that the citizens of Anchorage have learned their lesson and will use much better judgement in the future when we elect out city leaders.  Because, honestly, this is fucking embarrassing!