By Randi Weiner
The Journal News
WEST NYACK, N.Y. — The lawyer for the state Fire District Association said yesterday that driving the West Nyack firetruck to a politically charged rally on Saturday was “inappropriate” but that he did not know whether it was illegal.
“It’s definitely inappropriate,” said William N. Young, counsel for the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York. “It’s taking a political stand and the volunteer fire service has been apolitical, historically ... other than allowing our fire houses to be used as polling places.”
A representative from the state’s Comptroller’s Office was checking yesterday to see if any laws were violated when the members brought the truck to the protest. No decision was available by 5:30 p.m.
The issue arose Saturday, when West Nyack Volunteer Fire Department Chief George Drescher and 10 of the department’s volunteer firefighters arrived at the weekly demonstration on Route 59 at Middletown Road in Nanuet. For more than four years, protesters have stood at the intersection either calling for an end to the war in Iraq while supporters of the war hold their own demonstration.
Full Story: West Nyack firetruck at war rally called “inappropriate” by state fire district association lawyer