Ward 2 councilman issues statement after Tuesday meeting

An estimated crowd of 50 family members and supporters jammed Fulton City Hall Tuesday night as controversy over firefighter's pay continued.  Prior to the meeting, one supporter, Abby Gamblin, said they would keep coming back until the Fulton City Council addressed the issue.
An estimated crowd of 50 family members and supporters jammed Fulton City Hall Tuesday night as controversy over firefighter's pay continued. Prior to the meeting, one supporter, Abby Gamblin, said they would keep coming back until the Fulton City Council addressed the issue.

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AP/A- Sayles

In a prepared statement received by the Fulton Sun late Tuesday night following the Fulton City Council's Sept. 8 meeting, Ward 2 Councilman Lowe Cannell said "I love to see folks come out and support our firefighters. Now that they have made their point, which they have loud and clear, I would like to see them support their other brotherhood, the City of Fulton workers. As a council, we have identified that we have some disparity in what we pay our employees as compared to other communities our size. We have brought the Firefighters' minimum wage up to the rest of our employees' and that's a start.

"We have a long ways to go still, and I can tell you for a fact that we will be looking at this with a very keen eye over the next few months. In my years on the Council, we have never seen the likes of this and it has had a profound effect on me. And I think all of Us. We hear you. We support you."

Cannell continued his statement with, "That said, we also have to be responsible to our constituents to try and look at this issue on a broader scale. It may take more time than any of us would like, in order to see what changes need to be made. Not only in the Fire Department, but in all of our departments, but change can happen. Just keep in mind that we are all part of a family that serves this community in many different ways. It takes all of us working together for a common goal."