Marine fights on two fronts: Insurgents in Iraq and city layoffs
at home
10/02/06
Article by: G.I. GO Staff writer James Fanous
U.S. Marine Reservist Carlos Gonzalez had two things on his mind this past week: fighting for his country in
Iraq and possibly preparing to fight for his job as a firefighter in Perth Amboy, NJ. However, recent
developments have Gonzalez feeling a bit more comfortable with his job security.
Gonzalez’s job was scheduled to be one of 12 fellow firefighters slated to be cut due to a proposed $68 million
dollar budget introduced last week by the City Council. Gonzalez, who is ranked fifth on the layoff list, is
scheduled to return to Perth Amboy at the end of October.
“It saddens me to know the city can terminate his position,” said Gonzalez's sister Egnita Santana of Avenel.
“This is ridiculous that after serving our country and fighting a war that he will be coming home to fight for
his job.”
Although the Gonzalez family was fearful for Carlos’s job, members of the G.I. GO Fund attended the City
Council meeting concerning the cuts with a petition of over 200 signatures in support of Gonzalez. The
signatures came from concerned citizens who felt it to be shameful to fire someone while fighting in the war.
“It just doesn’t make any sense,” said Fanous. “How is it fair for a soldier to come home after spending a year
dodging bullets and fighting for this country, only to return home with no job and no income? I think everyone
would agree that Mr. Gonzalez has been through enough from his time in Iraq to be handed a pink slip.”
As G.I. GO President Jack Fanous presented the petition to the council, he said that it must be the position of
the council not only to protect Gonzalez’s job but go further and honor his work in Iraq.
"When this country was in World War One,” said G.I. GO VP Alexander Manis, “everything here at home
came to a stop to support the war effort. Factories all over the country shifted their own manufacturing to
make guns and other supplies for our soldiers overseas. Luckily today this country’s might allows us not to be
in a situation where things like this are needed. But I cannot believe that in almost 60 years we went from
stopping our whole existence to help these guys to even considering laying him off like anyone else. This man
needs to be given the type of respect that this country was giving its soldiers 60 years ago.”
Two days after the council meeting, Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas introduced legislation that would prevent
Gonzalez from being laid off. Vas said he plans to present a bill next week calling for the state Department of
Personnel to offer exemptions for layoffs and demotions for any permanent local, county or state public
employee who is on active duty.
“I think it's the right thing to do,” said Vas, who was surprised to learn that the existing state rules and
regulations don't protect active duty soldiers.
While department rules give preference to veterans for hirings and promotions, no exemptions are offered to
active duty soldiers like Gonzalez. If the bill is introduced next week, Vas hopes it could be approved quickly
and signed by Nov. 15 when the layoffs are expected to be implemented, so Gonzalez's job could be spared.
“Hopefully this can get done soon,” said President Fanous. “We have a long road ahead of us, and this is only
the beginning. G.I. GO and the Mayor need to get together and start working on the best ways to get this bill
passed in time for Carlos’s return in October.”
Fanous also added that this case is vital to our soldiers who are looking for reassurance that they will be taken
care of when they come home.
“It won’t be easy, but nothing worth doing ever is,” said Fanous.
at home
10/02/06
Article by: G.I. GO Staff writer James Fanous
U.S. Marine Reservist Carlos Gonzalez had two things on his mind this past week: fighting for his country in
Iraq and possibly preparing to fight for his job as a firefighter in Perth Amboy, NJ. However, recent
developments have Gonzalez feeling a bit more comfortable with his job security.
Gonzalez’s job was scheduled to be one of 12 fellow firefighters slated to be cut due to a proposed $68 million
dollar budget introduced last week by the City Council. Gonzalez, who is ranked fifth on the layoff list, is
scheduled to return to Perth Amboy at the end of October.
“It saddens me to know the city can terminate his position,” said Gonzalez's sister Egnita Santana of Avenel.
“This is ridiculous that after serving our country and fighting a war that he will be coming home to fight for
his job.”
Although the Gonzalez family was fearful for Carlos’s job, members of the G.I. GO Fund attended the City
Council meeting concerning the cuts with a petition of over 200 signatures in support of Gonzalez. The
signatures came from concerned citizens who felt it to be shameful to fire someone while fighting in the war.
“It just doesn’t make any sense,” said Fanous. “How is it fair for a soldier to come home after spending a year
dodging bullets and fighting for this country, only to return home with no job and no income? I think everyone
would agree that Mr. Gonzalez has been through enough from his time in Iraq to be handed a pink slip.”
As G.I. GO President Jack Fanous presented the petition to the council, he said that it must be the position of
the council not only to protect Gonzalez’s job but go further and honor his work in Iraq.
"When this country was in World War One,” said G.I. GO VP Alexander Manis, “everything here at home
came to a stop to support the war effort. Factories all over the country shifted their own manufacturing to
make guns and other supplies for our soldiers overseas. Luckily today this country’s might allows us not to be
in a situation where things like this are needed. But I cannot believe that in almost 60 years we went from
stopping our whole existence to help these guys to even considering laying him off like anyone else. This man
needs to be given the type of respect that this country was giving its soldiers 60 years ago.”
Two days after the council meeting, Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas introduced legislation that would prevent
Gonzalez from being laid off. Vas said he plans to present a bill next week calling for the state Department of
Personnel to offer exemptions for layoffs and demotions for any permanent local, county or state public
employee who is on active duty.
“I think it's the right thing to do,” said Vas, who was surprised to learn that the existing state rules and
regulations don't protect active duty soldiers.
While department rules give preference to veterans for hirings and promotions, no exemptions are offered to
active duty soldiers like Gonzalez. If the bill is introduced next week, Vas hopes it could be approved quickly
and signed by Nov. 15 when the layoffs are expected to be implemented, so Gonzalez's job could be spared.
“Hopefully this can get done soon,” said President Fanous. “We have a long road ahead of us, and this is only
the beginning. G.I. GO and the Mayor need to get together and start working on the best ways to get this bill
passed in time for Carlos’s return in October.”
Fanous also added that this case is vital to our soldiers who are looking for reassurance that they will be taken
care of when they come home.
“It won’t be easy, but nothing worth doing ever is,” said Fanous.
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