To the editor:

The March 9 editorial headlined "Firefighters' lawsuit a slap at city's workers, taxpayers," is just another bunch of anti-union rubbish that I have become accustomed to finding in the Gloucester Daily Times.

The Gloucester Daily Times is the newspaper that published a large, front page, above the fold article, about a union firefighter who called out sick to attend a Jimmy Buffet concert. This is also the same newspaper that published a much smaller article on the bottom of Page 7 concerning the conviction of the Regas family, owners of Adelphia Cable, on embezzling $3 billion from Adelphia, our local cable provider at that time.

Three billion dollars. On Page 7? Some of that money came from Cape Ann cable subscribers.

The improper use of a day's sick leave by a union firefighter garnered front page, large type notice. And the theft of billions by the owners of Adelphia Cable was hidden in small print, on Page 7. But alas, this is a business-friendly newspaper.

I found out that Editor Ray Lamont has not spoken directly to union President Clinton Carroll concerning the Gloucester firefighters' lawsuit. I also learned that the firefighters are willing to talk to the mayor, but she won't talk to the firefighters.

How can problems be resolved when one side is not willing to talk? I guess one needs to file suit.

Quoting the GDT editorial, "And any remotely discerning resident should recognize Kirk doesn't want to cut Police, Fire or Public Works departments' spending — she and other city officials simply have no choice."

This is not true. The mayor has a choice. She can give the money to the Fire Department that was authorized for the Fire Department by City Council. I believe the amount is $100,000. This may open stations, and improve staffing through the end of the current fiscal year, while meaningful talks could be conducted. Withholding authorized money, is this legal?

The firefighters of the Gloucester Fire Department are not the lazy, greedy, selfish employees they are portrayed to be in this newspaper. They collectively use a smaller percentage of sick leave than any of the other departments in city government. Ever see this tidbit printed in the newspaper before?

Every once in a while a bad apple presents itself. It's human nature, not union nature. We shouldn't castigate a whole department due to the actions of a very small minority. And to be fair, I promise that I won't judge all journalists based upon the biased editorials of the Times.

Dana Salo

Leonard Street, Gloucester