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Home My WebLink About09/16/2008 05 Audience Participation.,r RANDOM TESTING OF PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES In the last labor contract negotiated between the City of Yakima and the Yakima Police Patrolman's Association (the Police Union), the Union took the position that random drug testing of police officers violated the officers' right to privacy under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This is an interesting argument, given that the U.S. Supreme Court (and many other courts) have ruled that the "... safety interests of the public outweighed the worker's right to privacy for individuals involved in `public safety' activities ", such as policemen, firefighters, railway workers and truckers. Since the courts have created this exception to the Fourth Amendment right to privacy, many police departments (including New York, Houston, Detroit and Honolulu) require random drug testing as a condition of employment. Many private commercial trucking, busing, hospital and other public safety and service entities require drug testing as well. These entities find it prudent to protect their personnel, the public and their organizations against irresponsible employees. With the Union contract due to expire in December of this year, it would be an excellent time to renegotiate this part of the contract and put the City of Yakima in charge of this very important condition of employment. The local media has reported numerous times that Chief Granato has requested this tool only to have it denied because of this contract provision. There are already some standards in place as conditions of employment for these important positions, such as height, weight and mental requirements, and adding drug testing to the list will only benefit public safety. We, as citizens of Yakima, proudly support our professional Yakima police personnel, but expect these employees, who are charged with providing the safety of its citizens, not be impaired while making vital decisions involving the public welfare. Accordingly, it seems imperative that random drug testing be as important as regular physical exams, proficiency testing in firearms use and so forth. We believe that local citizens should put pressure on the police union and City officials to address this critical need in the forthcoming contract negotiations. If you agree, please speak up by emailing the following persons: The City of Yakima — www.ci.yakima.wa.us — Attn. Manager Dick Lais: Chief Granato — www.ci.yakima.wa.us /services police, with a copy to our organization — www.saveouramericanrights.com. Resp `ttffully S b Max Golladay S.O.A.R Inc. Secretary Choy / ieerrlo,nr +,I � f=2 Tih Roa , d A � Sober FlIders M .0. Who We Are Founded in 1994 0 Largest Clean & Sober Motorcycle Club in the nation We are actively involved in state and community action ti 1 who... • We encourage membership in motorcycle rider organizations like ABATE and AMA • We promote a positive clean and i sober motorcycle club image N:,:..„.")::'? 4 • We raise funds for our own purposes and for other charitable causes r A Motorcycle Awareness Campaign I • Community • Share the Road Supported Signs E , Campaign • Bumper Stickers • Labor Day • Poker Run Weekend • Bracelets ,ITT ' , • Effort to promote • Banners unity among riders and • Billboards FK awareness in the • Clear Channel .,.m community Radio Ads o-:: 2 . Why Our Efforts Work . • Signs remind • Signs remind motorists of the motorcyclists to frailty of be aware and motorcyclists use caution • They remind • We encourage motorist to look motorcycle not only for cars safety, training, ' „ . , p , and trucks but and practice ;$ bikes as well among all riders all year long 2008 Sponsors All Seasons Heating & Air Odyssey Body Piercing & Tattoo A -1 School of Driving Olympic Fruit ASAP Metal Fabricators Owen's Cycle Associated Freight Powerhouse Grill I Color Tile (Carpet Plus) PSI Transportation Delorie Johnson Red Rooster Done Rite Construction Ron's Coin & Book Doug Suter Co. Speed Motorsports A Empty Pockets Repair Stoneman & Jewels — Idaho p„ N Famous Burgers & Teriyaki Sunwest Limo i ' b „ Java Heaven Teamsters . t rs Knobel's Electric Trick Shoppe Custom Paint . e x : ,. Looney's Custom Cycle Majestic Stone & Tile Warninger Chiropractic Miller Glass Yakima Glass t - ' A Yakima Valley HOG Chapter 3 Sign Locations Share the Road Sign Locations Per City of Yakima Public Works • N. 1st Street - North of East R St. • W. Powerhouse Rd. — W. of Fred Meyers • N. 16th Ave — North of River Road • Yakima Ave — East of Union St. • S 1st St. — South of Washington Ave t : V Y > • Nob Hill Blvd — West of 15th St. ,:„.,.,-.0,4i.,...,-:. • Washington Ave — East of 16th Ave. - • S 72nd Ave — South of Gregory PI. a.a Summitview Ave — East of 84th Ave r 444 4, Moving Forward i • Signs to be placed this fall as the sign crews' schedule allows • Smaller signs will be replaced by larger signs in the spring , F-1 • We hope the signs can be a k ' 4, .,,'. permanent addition • We welcome ideas for next years campaign 4 • SE R.F.F. S. R. 4 Many have begun riding to save money on gas. • Some have started because it looks fun. Sober Riders ride because our club saves lives. ,„ We want to thank the community for w . their support. 5