Jim Not Vocal on Fire Jobs

My investigation into "Omaha Confidential" has taken a new turn.

First I found out that Mayoral hopeful Jim Vokal told the Chamber of Commerce he'd save, "...3 million dollars from staffing changes within the fire department. A reduction in staffing will be expected once I take office."

But after my story, Vokal wrote a letter to the Firefighters Union, saying he wanted to quote "clarify" my story; that he told the Chamber he "did not support any staffing reductions."

So today I called Vokal to try and shed some light on this apparent contradiction.

 I asked Vokal for an interview but he told me he's, "Not doing any interviews on this subject."

In the meantime I'm told that over 600 members of the Fire Union received Vokal's letter promising no cuts in manpower, and some in the rank and file are worried Vokal could cut jobs.

But the head of the firefighters union, Darren Bates, who's up for re-election in the next month or so, tells me he's confident Vokal will not cut firefighters.

And Vokal's campaign manager insists Vokal is not trying to have it both ways. 

I asked Fire Chief Mike McDonnell about Vokal's comments and McDonnel told me he'd like to see Vokal's cost cutting plan.

According to McDonnell there's no way to cut three million dollars from the fire budget, without cutting some three dozen firefighters.

Questions/Comments joe@action3news.com