I decided I had to put this out there because no matter what you think of the Saratoga Springs Fire Department, my son Atticus loves them.

Every day he comes with me into Saratoga Springs via Lake Avenue, he invariably starts to get excited at about Circular Street.

"Fire! Fire! Fire! Truck! Truck! Truck! Beep! Beep!"

Friday night when my wife and he picked me up from work, I decided that I'd let him get a closer look.

He was excited to say the least (see below).



The firefighters were not only accomodating and welcoming, but Firefighter Bull (I didn't ask his first name and only know his last because that's what his shirt said) said he would have offered a tour of the station if there wasn't construction going on. Then, while my son was beaming about being so near the firetruck ("Beep! Fire! Fire! Red! Truck!"), Bull opened the door and invited me to put him in the driver's seat.



Now, I feel like I should state here that I never said "Hey, I'm from The Saratogian" or anything like that. I was just a guy off the street with an excited little boy in my hands as far as he was concerned. He took out the hose for my son to see, let him get up in the driver's seat and was more inviting than I could have asked for.

I didn't stop for a story, I stopped because it would make Atticus's day/week and instead it made his month/year.

He's not quite two and has an age-appropriate attention span that generally lasts as long as something is in front of him, but he wouldn't stop shouting the whole way home ("Fire! Vroom! Drive!").

So I just wanted to give a public (as public as my blog can get, I guess) "Thank You" to the SSFD. You made my son as happy as I've ever seen him.

Well, looks like public safety employees will be drug tested after all, "in the very near future," according to Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen in Tuesday night's City Council meeting.

That is different from where he was on the issue last week when he said he was not in favor of the tests. At the City Council meeting, though, Mathiesen said he still didn't think it was necessary, but "if it would make the community at large would feel safer" for having drug tests, he would look into it.

That comes after comments online and elsewhere against his position (probably from people who get drug tested at their own jobs and don't carry guns or drive at high rates of speed).

The commissioner said he would be evaluating how to implement random drug testing in the Saratoga Springs Police Department, because both the chief and the union said they were in favor of the idea.

As Police Benevolent Association President Paul Veitch said “I believe there should be a drug-testing policy because I don’t want someone with a narcotics problem working next to me," particularly when they are carrying guns.

"I haven't had anyone come up to me and say they were happy about that article in the paper," Accounts Commissioner John Franck said to Mathiesen at the City Council meeting. He was referring to my recent article regarding the public safety commissioner's stance on random drug testing. "I don't think anyone is going to be with you on this."

Of course all of the people at the table said they did not believe there is a drug problem in the department. "But if that is the case they shouldn't have a problem with it," Franck said.

Mathiesen reiterated his stance that the system in place works. That is, when the officers of the departments see a problem, they address it.

He didn't specifically name Justin Moran, but he said "I saw how well the department worked with the other situation." Being the only drug case in recent history in the department, I have to figure it was that (also based on previous comments he made in the story I already linked to). "I knew the background," he said. "I knew how effectively it was taken care of."

Franck pointed out that he had to submit to a drug test when he was hired at his accounting firm and that people at Walmart are drug tested.

"That doesn't make it ok, just because Walmart does it," Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan said. She advised caution because of false-positive tests that could end a person's career.

"We don't want to kill anyone either," Franck said.

Mayor Scott Johnson also agreed with Franck (someone mark it down on the calender) about the need for drug testing. He said when firefighters are racing to the scene in their 20 ton (fire trucks range from 15 to 30 tons, I read) truck, "they are basically driving weapons."

When Franck kept citing Mathiesen's comments in The Saratogian's article, Mathiesen seemed to want to back away from it, saying something about how Franck should know not everything in the newspaper is accurately quoted. Of course, he didn't deny anything in the newspaper.

He said "I was asked if I supported random drug testing," something he said he does not. He said he was surprised by the question. "My reaction was 'What about cost? What about methods?'"

Mathiesen said he still doesn't support it, but "If the community feels otherwise we can look at it."

Well, looks like public safety employees will be drug tested after all, "in the very near future," according to Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen in Tuesday night's City Council meeting.

The commissioner said he would be evaluating how to implement random drug testing in the Saratoga Springs Police Department, because both the chief and the union said they were in favor of the idea.

As Police Benevolent Association President Paul Veitch said “I believe there should be a drug-testing policy because I don’t want someone with a narcotics problem working next to me," particularly when they are carrying guns.

"I haven't had anyone come up to me and say they were happy about that article in the paper," Accounts Commissioner John Franck said to Mathiesen at the City Council meeting. He was referring to my recent article regarding the public safety commissioner's stance on random drug testing. "I don't think anyone is going to be with you on this."

Of course all of the people at the table said they did not believe there is a drug problem in the department. "But if that is the case they shouldn't have a problem with it," Franck said.

Mathiesen reiterated his stance that the system in place works. That is, when the officers of the departments see a problem, they address it.

He didn't specifically name Justin Moran, but he said "I saw how well the department worked with the other situation." Being the only drug case in recent history in the department, I have to figure it was that (also based on previous comments he made in the story I already linked to). "I knew the background," he said. "I knew how effectively it was taken care of."

Franck pointed out that he had to submit to a drug test when he was hired at his accounting firm and that people at Walmart are drug tested.

"That doesn't make it ok, just because Walmart does it," Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan said. She advised caution because of false-positive tests that could end a person's career.

"We don't want to kill anyone either," Franck said.

Mayor Scott Johnson also agreed with Franck (someone mark it down on the calender) about the need for drug testing. He said when firefighters are racing to the scene in their 20 ton (fire trucks range from 15 to 30 tons, I read) truck, "they are basically driving weapons."

When Franck kept citing Mathiesen's comments in The Saratogian's article, Mathiesen seemed to want to back away from it, saying something about how Franck should know not everything in the newspaper is accurately quoted. Of course, he didn't deny anything in the newspaper.

He said "I was asked if I supported random drug testing," something he said he does not. He said he was surprised by the question. "My reaction was 'What about cost? What about methods?'"

Mathiesen said he still doesn't support it, but "If the community feels otherwise we can look at it."

I don't know how many people noticed the small update on the firefighter accused of smoking crack that ran on page 2A in the paper, but it's below if you want to read up.

The reason I draw attention to it is because of what the commissioner said about drug testing in the public safety department.

He said "I don't think it would be good for morale" for the members of the police and fire departments to be drug tested.

I know when police officers are hired, they go through rigorous background checks which, if I am not mistaken, does involve a drug test and even a polygraph test, but according to both Chief Williams and Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen, there is no drug testing policy whatsoever at the Fire Department.

“This was an isolated incident,” Mathiesen said. The commissioner said he doesn’t think drug testing would be good for the department’s morale.

Mathiesen said there was no indication that Moran ever used crack while working.

He said he believes random drug testing should only be used on “a case-by-case basis” or when an employee has demonstrated they have a history of drug abuse, but he would not comment specifically on Moran’s case or whether the drug abuse allegations against him warrant future drug testing. Otherwise, Mathiesen said he doesn’t believe drug testing is appropriate.

Commenting on The Saratogian story should have been closed (it was an oversight) because it is a crime story, but anyone can feel free to comment on this blog about it because already this morning people had a lot to say about it.

Of course, instead of talking about the accused (which is what we're trying to avoid by limiting commenting), everyone commented about the lack of drug testing.

I feel that I buried the lead on this story because no one commented about the firefighter, which was the impetus for writing the story in the first place. I only asked about the policy because I thought it should be included.

Who knew I would hear there isn't one?

It seems strange (crazy) to me that there is no drug testing policy for the SSPD or FD.

There is a drug testing policy for Walmart, and those people rarely drive a 20 ton truck at high rates of speed and don't have much on-the-job access to drugs, unlike the PD and FD, who administer drugs as paramedics. Not to mention I would guess the stress levels are probably higher in public safety (though my blood pressure does climb when I walk through the doors at Walmart).

Mathiesen pointed out as a dentist he too can write prescriptions for anything and all of the drugs at the FD are carefully monitored, but it still seems like good practice to test.

"If there is a problem," he said there should be testing. "I think that is a tool to be used on a case-by-case basis ... there is no indication at all that he was using on the job."

Of course, a drug test would prove that for sure.

I talked to someone from the State Police and they have a random drug testing policy. I'm still waiting to hear back from the Saratoga County Sheriff's Department about it.

I'm talking to Chief Chris Cole later today about something totally unrelated and I'll ask him about his feelings on the issue.

To me, it seems to be a liability issue they would be good to avoid. Test the employees (obviously I would assume 99.9999 percent of the time there would not be an issue) and that way you avoid issues like the alleged one here.

Full story below, feel free to comment on the blog because you won't be able to comment on the story on The Saratogian's website.

By LUCIAN McCARTY
lmccarty@saratogian.com
Twitter.com/SaratogianCDesk

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Disciplinary action is still pending for the Saratoga Springs firefighter who was arrested for crack possession last week.

“That is still being evaluated,” Saratoga Springs Fire Chief Robert Williams said. He would not comment further because it is a personnel issue.

Justin Moran, 31, of Leonard Road, a firefighter with the Saratoga Springs Fire Department for six years, was arrested Feb. 9 along with his live-in girlfriend, Janel Sweet, 30, following a Saratoga Springs Police Department investigation. They were charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony, criminal possession of hypodermic needles, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of a child, all misdemeanors.

Neither the Saratoga Springs Fire Department nor Police Department test their employees for drugs, and Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen said he doesn’t think they should.

“This was an isolated incident,” Mathiesen said. The commissioner said he doesn’t think drug testing would be good for the department’s morale.

Mathiesen said there was no indication that Moran ever used crack while working.

He said he believes random drug testing should only be used on “a case-by-case basis” or when an employee has demonstrated they have a history of drug abuse, but he would not comment specifically on Moran’s case or whether the drug abuse allegations against him warrant future drug testing. Otherwise, Mathiesen said he doesn’t believe drug testing is appropriate.

According to court documents, Moran and Sweet were in possession of more than half a gram of crack cocaine, crack pipes and hypodermic needles at their residence.

They were charged with endangering the welfare of a child because their two young children were in the home and, according to police, they “left numerous used hypodermic needles around the house,” all of which were within reach of the children.

Court documents show that when police were searching the house, both Moran and Sweet made admissions to police about the drugs.

“You’re wasting your time. What you’re looking for is not here,” Sweet told Saratoga Springs Police Lt. John Catone. “We use it and smoke it as fast as we get it.”

Police said they found crack, though, on a paper plate in the stairwell of the basement, along with crack pipes.

Investigators also said Moran told them, “I take full responsibility for what was found in my house. I do use drugs and I have been dealing with depression.” He then allegedly told them, “I feel awful about all of this.”

Both were out on bail the next day after being held on $15,000 cash or $30,000 bail bond and are due back in Saratoga Springs City Court March 15.

Remember the days when I used to blog? For those of you who don't, I think I'm with you-- it seems like a lifetime ago.

Believe you-me, it's not because I don't like to blog. Indeed, it's a lot easier than writing a story — unfortunately, lately if I want to blog that would mean a story does not get written.

For those who don't know, we've been down a reporter ever since Suzanna Lourie left us. Add to that another reporter's January schedule which seems to have more vacation days than working days and you get an equation that equals a dead blog (and an unprecedented amount of overtime at The Saratogian).

What is particularly terrible about that situation, is there has been a lot to blog about.

For instance, I started a blog post (which will appear at the bottom of this blog post) two weeks ago and didn't finish it. In fact, I stopped in the middle of a sentence. I don't remember why. Undoubtedly I had to run off to a meeting, accident, fire, scandal, investigate an anonymous tip, etc.

But I want to ensure the world wide web out there, I will return to cyberspace with a vengeance whenever my workload slows enough to allow it.

But here, to at least give the loyal dozen or so people who still check in on the blog from time to time a little something to read, here is a two-week old blog I finally found time to finish.

11:39 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17. City Hall.
Mayor Scott Johnson sat in his desk, loosened his tie and said "If I heard it once I heard it 1,000 times about the need for transparency in government. Is that what happened here tonight?"

Johnson seemed to be the last person in the City Council chambers earlier that night to know that the vote was coming on assigning the Fire Department to take over ambulance transport service in the city.

"I haven't decided that yet," the mayor said moments before the vote. "Am I the alone here in terms of not understanding this was going to be the vote this evening? We have a lot of unresolved issues that have been raised even tonight."

After a pregnant silence, Accounts Commissioner John Franck responded. "It was my understanding, going into tonight, that it wasn't a definite answer that we were going to vote on this this evening, but after the workshop I feel that the votes are there and that isn't going to change.

Franck said "I think everyone has some unanswered questions," but voted for the measure provided there was a "sunset clause" that would require the City Council to vote to continue with the program after a two-year trial period.

And despite the mayor's opposition to the plan, (here's where I stopped) the council passed the fire department's takeover of EMS service at a vote that came after deadline (11 p.m. — our print story said the vote was coming).

Mathiesen, days later, responded to Johnson's claims. "There was nothing opaque about the vote," he said. He pointed out it had been on the agenda. It wasn't a late add.

However, I will point out that in a conversation the day before with Deputy Commissioner Eileen Finneran, she said the vote was "just to get the ball rolling," on the fire department taking EMS over.

"The ball is rolling," Johnson said. "In fact the ball is gone."