Purcell Voters to Decide Firefighter Contract Dispute Today

PURCELL, Oklahoma -- They've tried talk, they tried arbitration, they went to court--and nothing was ever finally decided between the city of Purcell and its firefighters.

Tuesday, Purcell voters will decide whether they prefer the city's contract or the firefighters'.

Purcell firefighters didn't want this vote to happen. They went to court to block it. They lost, so now on the eve of the vote, they're doing all they can to persuade voters to approve their contract offer.

"Over the entire weekend we've been passing out flyers, going door-to-door," firefighter Joe Heck said. "We've had numerous other fire departments come down and help us; they also knocked on doors, passed out flyers."

During the noon hour Monday, they concentrated on Main Street.

"I'm going to vote for the firefighters because they do a really good job, and they need our support," Purcell resident Tracey Shurman said.

Moving on to Wal-Mart, the firefighters found more support for their side.

"Sounds like we're running shorthanded at the first station most of the time," Purcell resident Jimmy Jackson said. "And you gotta have firemen, you know, if we're ever in trouble, if something happens."

Support is far from unanimous. The editor of the Purcell Register wrote that firefighters are already paid well enough.

And City Council member Todd Clouse took out an ad claiming the firefighters were only concerned about their own welfare, not the city's welfare.

"It's disheartening to know that members of our city council don't support us more than they have," Heck said.

Tuesday, the firefighters will find out how much support they have, when Purcell voters have the last word.

Since the city of Purcell approved the vote, it will pay all the costs of the election.

More on News9.com:

- Election May Not Decide Purcell Contract Dispute
- Purcell Firefighters Negotiate Contracts