Firefighter urges voters to support Amendment 2

To the editor:

I am a firefighter in Cape Girardeau, and I would like to ask your readers for their support on Amendment 2. The amendment to the Missouri Constitution would give firefighters a voice in the decisions that affect not only our lives, but your readers' lives as well. In Missouri, we want to be able to negotiate with our employers about working conditions, safety equipment, wages and benefits. Amendment 2 would give us that right.

Amendment 2 also guarantees no strikes. Firefighters feel so strongly about public safety that we want to write no strikes into the Missouri Constitution with this amendment.

Another thing the public needs to know is that there will not be a tax increase if Amendment 2 passes. The local governments will remain in charge of fire department budgets.

We believe we deserve the same rights as other workers. Your local fire department will always be there for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All we are asking is that you be there for us. Vote yes on Amendment 2 on Nov. 5.

JEFFERY S. CRITES

Firefighter

Cape Girardeau Fire Department

Cape Girardeau