Letter to the Editor

Restructuring the Pageland Rescue Squad
won’t solve problems

If you want the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth concerning Pageland Rescue Squad, I will bring it straight to you.
Restructuring/rebuilding PRS will not solve the internal problems that plagues this organization. A constant split in the rescue squad has existed since 1964 and it always pits one group against the other.
The only difference in 1964 and 2007 is 43 years and a different group of individuals.
Team work does not exist within. What does exist is a constant power struggle and a constant stream of competition amongst certain members that leads to whining, gripping, moaning, and groaning about each other, and, what everyone is or is not doing. It’s like playing tug of war.
For quite some time now the squad’s bylaws have not been followed in any way shape or form. If the problem is at the top, the bottom or in-between, there are still bylaws to be followed. When a member responds to calls or comes to a meeting reaking of alcohol a bylaw has been violated. A bylaw has been violated when squad members date or live together unmarried. Attendance at business meeting and training meetings have been violated because they fail to attend. Members have not lived up to their response to the monthly calls they are required to answer. And random drug testing has not been enforced. And, you have some members who think that they can do what they want, when they want and how they want, and, that the bylaws don’t apply to them at all. Defacement of someone else’s property is misconduct. So, you see every member of this organization has violated the bylaws in one way or another.
Now, as far as the legality of a previous meeting. The answer is NO!!!!! The meetings are open to the general public, and, their voice can be heard. But, the general public cannot make motions. The general public cannot vote. This includes individuals who represent the town, county, or local businesses. The Town of Pageland does not have any oversight over Pageland Rescue Squad, nor does Chesterfield County, and, both should be concerned with their own problems instead of playing deal or no deal with matters that are none of their business. Non squad members cannot make motions nor vote and Charter members who have shown no interest in the squad in 25 years should find a hobby to occupy their time. So, this meeting and the election of new officers was about as illegal as it could be. The board of directors are the folks who govern this organization, not outsiders. The real board of directors are the ones who were in office before all this nonsense took place.
Stop beating a dead horse to death with whether the previous captain is guilty or not guilty of forgery. All matters concerning her suspension were not discussed by the total board of directors. The total board of directors consist of five active squad members, and, only two members of the board made the decision concerning her fate. The same two appointed her successor, which turned out to be one of them. Neither issue was brought before the remaining board members nor the squad for a vote, and, that is a violation of the bylaws no matter how you look at it. No matter who you are, you are innocent until proven guilty. If she did do anything wrong, she ain’t the only one.
As far as previous members being wrongfully dismissed. This issue is the only one where bylaws have been correctly followed. Two members were permanently dismissed and three others were transferred to Life Membership. They were notified in writing and personally handed their grievance letter, or mailed as a certified letter. The bylaws state that members who have grievances filed against them have 30 days to schedule a meeting with the board of directors and discuss their matter. Meetings were not scheduled with the secretary, who handles all grievances, so therefore, at the end of their time frame, the board of directors upheld their decision, and, at the next business meeting it was brought to the active members present, and, the members present approved the minutes of this meeting by majority vote. All business matters must be approved by 2/3 majority vote. That is a 2/3 majority of members present, not of the total membership. Because of the difficulty in getting total membership to attend business meetings, it was approved at a business meeting in June 2005 that 2/3 of the active members present would be the majority vote. This change stood as stated in the minutes of that meeting.
Do not judge or fault one person for the demise of this rescue squad, because everyone that is a member of this organization is responsible for the destruction.
Proverbs 16:5 says Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces none will go unpunished.
I was an active member/secretary/Basic EMT of Pageland Rescue Squad for 4 years.
And, when GOD is not your number one priority, and where there is no trust, commitment, dedication, loyalty and hard work within there should be no organization.

Bobbie Laney,
Pageland