ELYRIA — Eight more firefighters received layoff notices on Friday, bringing the total of employees let go this year to 18.

Fire Chief Richard Benton spoke to firefighters involved in the layoffs, according to an assistant to Elyria Safety-Service Director Chris Eichenlaub.

The layoffs bring manpower to 42 — 38 firefighters and four administrative personnel — the fire chief, fire marshal, training officer and fire prevention officer.

Dean Marks, an Elyria firefighter and president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 474, said it was a tough day for everyone involved.

“It’s kind of ironic on Labor Day week guys are getting their layoff notices,” Marks said.

Some veterans are in this round of layoffs, Marks said. The firefighters who are losing their jobs have been with the city three to 10 years, he said.

In a touching move of solidarity, some of the firefighters who will be laid off volunteered to help collect funds in the annual firefighters’ boot drive for Muscular Dystrophy — Jerry’s Kids, Marks said. The boot collection is being taken at both Wal-Marts in Elyria.

Elyria Mayor Bill Grace said he was not pleased with the loss of firefighters but said the city is in a tight spot.

He said he has spoken to a number of citizens and chances don’t appear good that a 0.5 income tax increase will pass in November.

“The prevailing view is they’re not willing to support the tax,” Grace said.

Residents often believe cutbacks can be made until they are affected themselves with a fire at their home or a crime that needs police attention, Grace said.

Dwindling income tax revenue — the city is taking in about 10 percent less revenue than in 2008 — has forced the city to make more than
$3 million in cuts.

Besides the layoffs at the fire department, city officials plan to close the city jail — at least temporarily.

Plus, Fire Chief Rich Benton said last week that he was in the process of moving his office and the Fire Prevention Bureau from the East Broad Street fire station to the Cedar Street station downtown so the East Broad Street facility can be closed — perhaps permanently.

Meanwhile, Marks said no decision has been made on whether firefighters will campaign for passage of the 0.5 percent income tax increase.

“I doubt it — they haven’t asked,” Marks said of the city administration and levy committee. “Obviously, we would consider everything.”

If firefighters did support the levy, they would want some assurances that new revenue would support the department, Marks said.

Marks said the union has been keeping tabs on the 10 firefighters laid off earlier this year. Three have found new jobs — one went to the Middleburg Heights Fire Department and one went to the Sandusky Fire Department, while Molly Adkins got a job as a firefighter in Tennessee.

Contact Cindy Leise at 329-7245 or cleise@chroniclet.com.

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