Tennis Pros Or Firefighters?

Mobile Economy City of Gulf Shores may hire tennis pros a week after announcing layoffs.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Tue, December 16, 2008 - 10:15 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, December 16, 2008 - 10:52 pm CST

News Five has learned that after laying off 21 employees last week, the City of Gulf Shores may hire tennis pros.
Among the layoffs were three firefighters.
But the city council is looking at ways to get a tennis program started at the new Gulf Shores Tennis Complex.
Among the ideas council members are discussing: hiring one or two tennis pros to teach and also help maintain the complex.
Gulf Shores City Council member Philip Harris said, "I think its something we need to do. You can't let a facility sit dormant and deteriorate."
Members of a council committee have been looking at what other cities pay tennis pros.
Harris said, "Some of the other models we've looked at were (paying) $15,000 to $20,000 per year and there were city services provided to the program. Then, they (the tennis pros) were allowed to the use the courts for additional lesson time. They would maintain most of that money from their lessons."
When asked if he thought it was worth paying tennis pros when the city was laying off firefighters, Harris said, "Over the last few years, the growth we've been experiencing, especially after Hurricane Ivan, put great demands on a lot of our city departments. And in anticipation of building new fire stations, and the growth out in the area down Fort Morgan, we were anticipating additional fire stations. Over the last two years, we've hired over an additional 24 firefighters, trying to get ahead of the curve. Now, the economy has made a turn and the developments have gone on hold and now we're overstaffed in some departments."
We asked some people in Gulf Shores whether they thought tennis pros should be hired while firefighters are laid off.
Kim Pennington of Gulf Shores, "Absolutely not. What are they going to do when the tourism season is in full swing and we need those firefighters."
David Beviacqua of Gulf Shores said, "I don't know the economic situation of the city. You have to trust your leaders or vote them out of office."
Vickie Prewitt of Gulf Shores said, "I think that the firefighters should be the priority. It would be wonderful if we could do both, but if we have to choose one or the other, the firefighters should get the money."
Councilman Harris said the firefighter layoffs were necessary regardless of what the council decides about the tennis pros.
Harris expects a council committee to have a recommendation in the next thirty days.

WKRG.com » News Stream » Alabama

Video
Photo

Embed:

WKRG.com Related

News –› Alabama

News –› Gulf Shores

News –› Mobile

Discuss this in the forum

Email to a Friend

Printer Friendly

Download Video

Snake Says:

Wed, Jan 07, 2009 at 10:13 am

I am a Professional Firefighter in Albertville and cannot beleive what the council is considering! My family has vacatined at Gulf Shores for 11 years but this year we will go to Destin where they have their priorities in order!
I wonder how many kick backs the council members will get from this rediculous action. Tell the council members to post the number of the tennis club to call when his house catches fire, maybe then he will reevaluate things!

cork Says:

Fri, Dec 19, 2008 at 9:47 am

Lay off’s are really hard for everyone. It frightens us to know that we could be next. What many people do not understand is that Gulf Shores had more firefighters than what was required and your safety has always come first in GS. I too, am saddened that we have to resort to layoffs. Do understand that the budget for the tennis program has nothing to do with fire protection grants from the state. It’s not your city Councilmen or your Mayor but the people to blame for all this mess is the greedy banks and executives that have sucked this country dry especially the average American citizen who works hard for their money and has to pay for their extravagant expenditures and now the American people have to loose what they have because of their greed. God Bless America.

laha45 Says:

Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 12:11 pm

Glad to see I am not the only one who sees a problem… ok ya’ll which is more important????... saving lives or hitting a ball across a net.. Also good to know our tax dollars are going for those cute little outfits the tennis pros will wear, instead of some more turnout clothes for the firefighters.. Give me a break!!

Snake Hunter Says:

Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 10:26 am

Let the Tennis facility sit,untill the economy turns around.Fire fighters are much more important to a community during a disaster like Hurricane or Tornado’s.What is a tennis pro going to do????????????.Just Common sense.

RNuts Says:

Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 7:41 am

I have a solution. Send the three laid off fire fighters to a tennis camp for training and then let them be the new tennis pro’s and part time firemen.

myopinion Says:

Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 5:41 am

Well, how many people can afford to take tennis lessons these days? None! That is ridiculous. Just another moon pie situation.