Only In Newfoundland…We Hope
Henry here. This morning’s CBC News had a story about “a dispute that could make for an episode from The Dukes of Hazard.”
The article reads: “The fire chief of a rural Newfoundland community resigned from his duties after Point Leamington’s mayor put an end to what firefighters have been doing for decades - drinking beer in the fire hall.”
Firefighters in the town of some 600 people have been selling and drinking alcohol at the station for about 30 years.
The article continues: “It was widely known among townsfolk that the fire hall doubled as an official bar, even though firefighters knew selling liquor without a license was illegal.”
Richard Murphy, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Chiefs said: “I can’t believe this has gone to the extent that is has gone now. …It makes everybody look like clowns.”
Elliott (the Mayor) said that he decided to take up his position after several cases when firefighters responded to calls drunk.
Oh, the problems running an efficient fire department! Perhaps we have to assume that alcohol and work are too much integrated in some communities. Perhaps the old motto isn’t just about work place order: “There is a place for everything and everything in its place.”