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Special City Council Meeting <br />August 27, 2001 <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />the City. He presented the two resolutions, saying that one was from the <br />City of Sulphur Springs which had not been implemented, and one is just <br />a model resolution if the city wanted to consider using it as an example. <br /> <br />Glen Martin, Principal of North Lamar High School, came forward <br />advising that they had implemented this program last year because they <br />saw a need to develop character in their students. He said they felt they <br />could instill more character in all of their students as well as themselves. <br />Mr. Martin told the City Council that they have done character training <br />with the same organization as Mr. Perry. He said you are talking about <br />character motivation to do what is right, whatever the cost. Every person <br />has the opportunity to build on his or her character by working towards <br />qualities such as truthfulness, patience, and loyalty. Mr. Martin advised <br />that daily decisions are based on these qualities and a person using these <br />qualities will experience practical and lasting rewards. <br /> <br />Mayor Pfiester thanked the gentlemen for their testimony and expressed <br />a desire for the City of Paris to implement this program for its employees. <br /> <br />Bret Halbert, representing the Paris Professional Firefighters Association, <br />appeared before the City Council telling them that every year at budget <br />time there are challenges to save money while spending, or spending money <br />while saving. Mr. Halbert said one of the things they have studied and <br />looked at as far as a saving to the city, is the issue of bringing all of their <br />staff up to EMT basic training. Chief Grooms put the cost of bringing the <br />entire department up to that level to about $80,000.00, and he was quoted <br />in the Paris News as saying that some of the men were running backward <br />to keep from having to be certified as EMT's. He said there are some <br />concerns, put forward mostly by men who are very close to retirement and <br />do not believe the city would be getting their money's worth by training <br />them as EMT's. Mr. Halbert said there are about 18 men in the Fire <br />Department that are not trained as an EMT, which means there are <br />almast40 that are trained. He pointed out that there is one fireman that <br /> <br /> <br />