Update on Merit Matters activities

Things are going well. Since we began focusing on adding followers the numbers have grown very quickly. Thank you to those who have signed up and please keep spreading the word. Anyone can sign up- you don't have to be a firefighter to do so. Of course I also want to thank the fraternal groups who support us and would welcome the opportunity to address any group about Merit Matters.

The group has started to get attention in the media and this is crucial to getting our message out and refuting false information. The Chief-Leader newspaper has always been very fair but now we are also getting time on radio, TV and other newspapers like the Post. If anyone knows of a media outlet or personality who would like to report on Merit Matters please contact us or give them our website.

We will very soon be able to accept donations- all the legal requirements are in the process of being met and then, don't worry- we'll let you know where to send money!

We had a meeting in late January in Newark, NJ with 11 other cities to take the initial steps in forming a national group with the same goals as Merit Matters. Among the groups attending was the New Haven 20 and their attorney who, you will remember, won the very important Supreme Court case Ricci v DeStefano last summer. Also attending was the group from Philadelphia which was successful just this month in striking down the required quota hiring decree in that city (and this closely followed a similar decision in Clevelend just this past November). The decision against NYC and the FDNY last summer will most likely be appealed and if so will most likely be successful. If you live in the city contact your Council Member at 212-788-7100 and let them know you want the city to appeal. Another organizing meeting of this national group will take place in early March in Manhattan.

Spread the word!

Paul D. Mannix