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emily morrow / special to the sun
Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010 | 2:01 a.m.
Steve Sisolak
Tom Collins
Sun Archives
- Henderson City Council approves new ambulance service (2-3-2010)
- Clark County priorities panel meeting in Las Vegas (12-16-2009)
- ‘Longevity pay’ costs millions in county (12-10-2009)
- System fails to catch contractor’s family tie with county (11-21-2009)
- Firefighters have perks to give back, if they wanted to (4-29-2009)
- Shortfall looms large as fire union holds out (4-23-2009)
- It pays EMTs to do I's and cross T's (4-22-2009)
- No concessions yet from firefighters (4-12-2009)
For as much money as county firefighters make, Clark County commissioners are now being asked by one of them to send business prospects to the mortuary he co-owns.
Firefighter Christopher Blackburn and his business partner want their La Paloma Funeral and Cremation Services to be added to the six mortuaries that rotate taking bodies from the coroner’s office when the family of the deceased has no preference where to send the corpse.
Accepting a body from the coroner does not, in and of itself, make money for a mortuary. The family can ask that the body be transferred to another mortuary to handle services or funeral arrangements.
But the family may decide to do business with the mortuary that has the body.
The Nevada Ethics Commission doesn’t have a problem with Blackburn’s mortuary getting bodies from the coroner’s office.
Commissioners Steve Sisolak and Tom Collins do have a problem with it, though.
“It appears to be a conflict, unless (La Paloma) is the only funeral home in town,” Collins wrote in an e-mail.
“I just don’t think it’s right,” Sisolak said. “If you work in the police department, should you be the owners of a company that processes traffic tickets? You get into the question of an arms-length transaction.”
If the mortuary business is so important to Blackburn, “then he should resign as a fireman,” Sisolak added. “This is going to impact other mortuaries.”
According to county records, Blackburn, who has been with the department since 1993, earned $194,238 in total compensation in 2009, including a base pay of $96,765 and $51,156 in overtime.
Neither Blackburn nor the other owner of the mortuary could be reached for comment. A woman who answered the phone said La Paloma has been in business four years.
Last year, seven mortuaries in the rotation handled 2,306 of the more than 13,000 deaths reported in Clark County. Six mortuaries are currently in the rotation.
Sisolak said he could only laugh that, after a year of trying to get the firefighters union to offer meaningful salary concessions to help the county with its budget crisis, the county is being asked to help a firefighter do potentially more business on the side.
Besides, Sisolak said, the county should not help its employees take potential business from private industry.
The issue is on the commission’s Tuesday agenda.
The Ethics Commission concluded that Blackburn is not prohibited from entering into a contract with Clark County just because he is a public employee.
He’s in the clear, the commission reasoned, because the contract is not competitively bid, the number of mortuaries is limited and La Paloma has no influence over who gets the contract.
County staff agreed with the commission on those points but waved a caution flag because Blackburn was allowed to work with the county on terms of the contract, as other mortuary owners have on previous contracts.
The case is reminiscent of when commissioners noticed in November that a county employee was listed as a member of a local architectural firm that was to be awarded a contract to design two fire stations. In that case, the architect was also in a rotation of architectural firms and the project was not competitively bid. The commission, citing the conflict, did not give the $200,000 contract to the firm.
On the other hand, the Henderson City Council a week ago licensed a private ambulance company started by three Henderson Fire Department employees. The new service would be used exclusively for nonemergency transports.
Some peoples kids. Dude stop screwing the people twice over. Hope they throw that lazy bum out the door.
Hey, firefighters....can you spare us a dime?
Reid, jr allowed this mess of out-of-control union contracts under his watch.
And he wants to be the freaking governor?????????
the rotation of mortuaries has worked for many, many years and should remain. just because this fireman wants to change it, the answer from the county officials should be a resounding "NO!"
Just because he works for the government should not preclude him from owning and operating a business. Since he does not make the decision as to whether a body goes to his mortuary, nor does the decision guarantee his mortuary will make money from it (and therefore losing money), then he should be able to continue and be part of the process. Since when, in America, are we precluded from making money in a legitimate business? Ask the Commissioners what businesses they own that do business with the County or any other government entity. If he made only $20,000 a year, this would not be even discussed, would it???? I am really, really tired of envious, gimme-yours- because-I-don't-have-mine people whining about people who are able to make money. I don't have this fireman's resources, and I certainly applaud his initiative to make money. My vote is for him.
It is a matter of conflict of interest.
Let's say the guy at the county who is in charge of buying computer equipment also owns a business that sells computer equipment.
I think the conflict of interest is a lesser degree here.
I do not think the fire fighter has the power to pick which mortguary a body goes to.
I had a family member pass away and used La Paloma. They were a fraction of the price and provided twice the personal service than these other hugely overpriced funeral homes offer.
Just so the public is aware, the 3 big funeral homes in Las Vegas are all owned by huge conglomerations out of Texas. Palm and Affordable was recently sold to SCI, the worlds largest funeral home corporation, Bunker is owned by Carriage House, the second largest funeral home corporation and Davis and Thomas & Jones just sold out to Legacy, another large funeral home corporation out of Texas. Maybe we should post their executive's salaries then decide if we should send another big corporation our local funeral business.
This firefighter has been a local of Las Vegas for (at least) 17 years and had the courage to open a funeral home to compete with these huge companies that walk on to the rotation without any public strife yet a local, with obvious dedication to our community, opens a private business to compete with them and he is then placed under scrutiny? From what I understand, Christopher isn't even an employee of the company and the other owner, another long-time local, runs the company.
We should stand and support the firefighter and his business partner for what they're doing and send all our local business their way and kick the big corporations gouging families at their time of need off the rotation.
Ignoring the controversy of firefighter pay & overtime, since the firefighter cannot influence to which mortuary the body goes, it seems ony fair for his business to be treated the same as any other mortuary business in the county. Commissioners appear to be trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill.
Are their employees union? Would they be Ok if one of those employees was making $54,000 in OT. No they would be out of business. I'll bet they don't pay their employees outrageous overtime, benefits and retirement. And with all the complaining of how overworked these firefighters are, where do they find any energy to own or operate a business?
Comment removed by moderator. Comment included name-calling.
Just at face value Blackburn and his company should keep an arms length from county business. It sure does not help the publics perception when the firefighters union refuses to take cuts like everyone else in tough times.
Of course Blackburn should have had a partner do the bidding for him or reincorporated. How do you think ex county commissioners got the sweet heart deals for the concessions at the airport without the publics knowledge?
so, let me get this straight. firefighters, who average over $200K per year in income, have enough extra time on their hands to work for architecture firms, and run ambulance and mortuary companies?
they are not only over paid, but we don't make them work enough hours for that pay if they have all this free time on their hands to work additional jobs.
firefighters, you better step up to the plate and take a reduction like everyone else, if you every want the citizens of this city to support more stations and hires in the future.
right now, you all look like greedy politicians. and you know how much we like those in nevada.
I don't see what the big deal is. Shame on Joe Schoenmann for exploiting a hot button topic to push his article. The firefighter has a legitimate job with the county and also owns a legitimate business that he wants to have success with. There is no conflict of interest!! Unless you're saying this fireman will let a person die instead of saving him because this mortuary is next on the rotation. But that is not true. Joe Schoenmann wrote a smear article for no reason other than to make the firefighter look bad and make all you sheep grab your pitch-forks.
To MSH1:
The matter is a story due to the fact that the Nevada Commission on Ethics weighed in. And though you do not agree, some duly elected officials of the county do, in fact, believe it may constitute a conflict of interest. Thanks for your input.
I say its a conflict of interest.... he needs to choose .. stay a fire fighter or remain a business owner.
Letmespeak;
Just because you're a FF earning 2 bills from CC, does not mean he has, in your words, "obvious dedication to our community". If he had such dedication, he and his fellow FF's wouldn't be silent on raping the taxpayers!
I do not believe county employees should also have contracts with the county. Period. It has nothing to do with him being a firefighter.
Maybevegas...I am not a firefighter.
You think that Mr. Blackburn had anything to do with the money he's paid by the county? If you have a beef with the pay that the County is paying to the firefighters, you need to take that up with the Fireman's Union and the County negotiators and quite possibly, the County Commissioners that you and I voted in.
I'm tired of people complaining about the CCFD salaries. Hey cooch and wrangler want a firefighters salary, go join CCFD and you can make the same salary. No one is stopping you. Anyone complaining here can start their own business. Is this guy the first person to have a job and start his own business on the side? As long as he is on the job when he is suppose to be and what he does on his own time isn't illegal, he should be able to do whatever he wants, including running is own business. Where is the conflict of interest. They are not the only funeral home. The article said that the funeral homes just pick up the bodies and the families can take their business to anyone. There has to be at least 6) other funeral homes that a family can chose. The ethics commission says there isn't a conflict. But two members commissioners say there is a conflict. Are these the same commissioners that steamrolled a higher bid that is going to cost the city more money for road paving and the courts had to rule that what they did was wrong? Maybe you should ask Sisolak and Collins about that. I think there is more to their reasons for preventing this fireman from getting on the rotation. The Sun should investigate real reason they don't want this business involved. If the funeral homes are on a rotation where is the conflict?
How can anyone paying the bills be satisfied that it's routine for a what is essentially a PART TIME blue collar job to pay $200,000!!
i'm applying to be a fireman...where else can i make $ 200,000 dollars sitting around the fire house watching big screen t.v. while eating new york steak dinners every day on the taxpayer's dime?
firemen think they're heros...i think they're ripping off the public...what a laugh.
every election they're whining for more money.
if you don't give them more money they imply that they won't be able to put out the fires.
when's the last time you saw a fire?
ha,ha,ha.
"Sgt Rock What an idiot you are. Firefighters have had a union longer than you have had a brain. Only a nit wit like you would make such a statement about Reid Jr. letting the union contracts get out of control on his watch. Are you familiar with arbitration? "
Thanks Homer
You just prove that Reid, Jr. is clueless, powerless and can't be an effective leader who can deal with big problems.
He just throws his hands in the air and says, "It's to big for me."
He should not be governor.
He'll be working at the mortuary in instead of playing cards and eating steak dinners at the fire house on the clock.
Sorry, couldn't resist.
I'm surprised this is front page news. Serious Schoenmann and the Sun? Get real. I used to work for one of the big mortuaries in town. If you think this Blackburn can pull one over on the coroner he has another thing coming. Mike Murphy, the coroner, is cut from the same cloth as the Herrera /kenney/ kincaid/Gates clan. In fact I think the real story is why they would push to keep this funeral home off? Murphy rules with an iron fist, I've seen it first hand! According to this article Blackburn had some influence on the contract. Doubt it. Murphy was as closed minded as they come. The contract for the funeral home is nothing but a one sided contract that only benefits the coroner. In fact, many people don't know the funeral homes actually pay the coroner to be on the rotation!
Besides, was he not cleared by the ethic board? Does Murphy think he's brighter then the ethics board?
Hey, don't all the county commissioners have other jobs as well? So what if the guy is a hard worker. What he does in his own time is irrelevant to the county and the rotation.
I happen to know Mr. Blackburn and I am furious with all of your evil comments. This is an amazing human being who volunteers his time when he's not working to church, families in need, and his community. And, yes, he is a partner at La Paloma, but he does not "work" there. I am a teacher; does that mean I can't open a daycare or tutoring center and staff it with other people? Isn't that the American dream to own your own business, be your own boss?
No one likes a firefighter or cop until you really need one. These are truly thankless jobs. Who are you to put a value on human life and property?
All emotion aside, however, this whole thing is utterly riduculous. Do you really believe he has some say over where the bodies of the deceased should be taken? Our county commissioners are corrupt and rarely have our concerns on their mind. They are mainly concerned with lining their own pockets, not making Las Vegas a better place to live and work.
Leave Mr. Blackburn alone. In my eyes, he is a hero. Ask some of the victims of accidents or fires that he has helped as well. Maybe then you wouldn't have much to say about his income. Attack the inept politicians all you want.
Or better yet, get off your couches and run for office and make a difference in this world! At the very least, stop whining and volunteer your services somewhere like a school or church or homeless shelter!
Conflict of interests? I don't know. What I do know is that as civil servants, CC firefighters make WAY too much money--ask any firefighter from any other municipality around the country. It's practically criminal.
Darkenwald--spoken like a true groupie, bravo!
There isn't a conflict of interest. It must be nice to have the free time to run another business. I know a few firefighters that have businesses since their job gives them a lot of free time.
If he starts pushing people back into the burning buildings, than there will be a problem.
Frankly I hope someone in County government grows a pair, and send these over paid public servants packing. Enough is enough. Reagan did it with the airline controllers, lets do it in county government. Everyone who lives in the county is getting fleeced by these union firefighters, and we simply cannot afford it. I know there are some that say oh the economy will return and then everyone will forget about these over paid public "workers". Wrong, its going to take many years for the Southern Nevada economy to turn around. Its time to act.
This article is not about how much Mr. Blackburn makes. Do the research then write your own article about that. If you want to talk about salaries, do you think Clark County teachers are overpaid too? You want to talk trash about County employees - you better get your facts straight and do your research.
Whether he makes $20,000 a year or $200,000 a year; works 24 hours a day or 8 hours a day, and, the ethics committee has stated that there is NOT a conflict of interest; then why can't he start his own business?????? Don't we live in America?
Also, Machie, I'm proud to be a "groupie." Mr. Blackburn helped my son to make a good choice instead of a bad one that will affect the rest of his life. He didn't have to get involved, but he did. I will be eternally grateful to Mr. Blackburn.
And just in case that doesn't explain it; I also volunteer time at La Paloma and know the people who work there fairly well. This is a highly ethical company who does a great service to the underserved. Look at the comment by LetMeSpeak written at 7:42 am. I second everything that person said. So call me a groupie if you want. I agree with you.
darkenwald,
I volunteer and donate a lot of my time. I haven't seen a whole lot of firefighters stepping up and donating theirs. As a matter of fact, when they are asked to appear at community events, they want overtime!!! Maybe it would cut into gym time or personal business? Public opinion is turning on the firefighters and their actions are not helping to improve their image. It would be a conflict of interest if he is using his county connections to facilitate the approval, or is working on this, on taxpayer time. Have there been any other mortuaries denied the same priveledge? And, for all those who believe that these firefighters are such great human beings and heros...have any of them blown the whistle on the unethical overtime and retirement practices? I can guarantee they all all have been party to or have at least witnessed it. Here, let me answer for you, NO! They will never turn on a union brother
Comment removed by moderator. Comment included name-calling.
I could see the conflict if he was requesting a license for an ambulance service since he is a firefighter,but a Mortuary? nawwwww let him have his rotation on the list. You're comparing apples and oranges.
What free time to fireman have? Everyone acts like they are part time workers. I work 4 forty-hour weeks a month---so 160 hrs of work a month. Fireman work 10 days a month for 24 hrs. They are on duty 240 hrs a month. Yeah, I know they sleep and unwind at night but they are at work, answering calls at 3am and so on. You angry, bitter, small people need to find a more creative outlet for your complaints. Thats what you are---small.
I have to take ethics courses ever year. One of the main staements is: If it appears to be a conflict, It is unethiical. This appears that it could be a conflict and should be avoided.
You firefighters just don't get it. You talk amongst yourself trying to justify your actions and convincing each other it's right and ethical. Your own judgement and self worth to the community have become clouded, overinflated and distorted. The problem is that the rest of the citizens, business, local and national are experiencing trying financial times.I do not want, nor have I ever aspired to be a firefighter. Because I'm be critical of your pay achieved through questionable practices DOES NOT make me jealous of your job or as one firefighter put, small. What it does is it motivate growing numbers of people to elect officials who will end this fiasco.
$51k in overtime,huh? Where did he ever find the spare time to run his mortuary working all those hours for the County?? What a sham.......
man, these "firefighters" have it so easy. i see them all the time - working out at LVAC in their uniforms, presumably on the clock. what a racket.
Yeah, bam--here in L.A. I see them at Starbucks all the time. I doubt if they will ever make another movie like "Ladder 49" that shows these guys as heroes because nobody would believe it. They belong in a documentary like "American Casino".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VdqiUzKW...
Let him have his side business but cut his Bennies 25%. That's fair.
We are not heroes. Only play firefighters or "look at me" firefighters say that. Other people call us that. Who knows why. We do our job like all of you. We got into this career for the challenges and security that it offered. There was no overtime issues before 2002 if you would like to check. Not all of us are making the big money as you are lead to believe. Yes, there are a lot of us out there working 2/3 of the year literally to garner that much overtime. The county has offered it up for anyone who wants it because it is cheaper to the taxpayer. It has hurt our reputation and I don't like it. I would ask you the reader that if you were offered all the overtime you want right now would you take it? Or would you put up your hand and say "No!". It is a shame that this reporter has taken a shotgun approach and smeared the names of people who are not abusing the system and not making the big money. The people of Clark County should know all the facts not just a one sided portion that is being fed by politicians and County manangement. The fact is that Clark County is comparable to all the other Fire Departments on the west coast with regard to base salary and benefits, it's the overtime that ramps it up. I know your job is to spin but it would be nice if you stopped blasting 700 peoples names that you don't know because of the individuals who are at the top of the Salary list. No doubt there are some bad eggs in the bunch but this County has some incredibly professional hard working and dedicated firefighters that are doing their best to provide the taxpayer with whatever we have to give when you make that call. We don't get paid to just put out fires anymore. 90% of our calls are for emergency services (Heart attack, Vehicle accidents etc.). We have one of the highest call volumes in the nation. Station 18, Engine 18 and Rescue 18 are always in the top 5 busiest units in the nation. To tie this in to this particular article about Mr. Blackburn, was it a bad call to ask to be included into the rotation...absolutely. Does he have the right to..yes he does. No chest beating, we save lives ending for me. Just be aware that with three pushes on a button I will be there. No matter what your problem is I will help you.
Grandma - Speaking of vendettas....why are you consistently going after the author. what gives? Are you a firefighter?
Keep in mind that these firefighter are getting paid $50 per hour while they grocery shop, eat together at your local restaurant and work out together at LVAC.
Why is there so much overtime..and where is this, "study" that shows it is less expensive to the tax payer? Taking all that "overtime" amounting to 200k a year for a job that is funded by the tax payer is going to put up a red flag dude. People are fed up.