East Point axes 2 fire stations, 100 jobs

Officials estimated 65 firefighters will be fired. Another 35 city employees in other departments also stand to lose their jobs as the city tries to address an $8 million budget shortfall. The vote to close the fire stations was 7-1 with Marcel Reed opposed. The difficult decision leaves the city of 41,000 residents with three fire stations. East Point expects to save more than $3 million with Tuesday's cuts. "We did not want to close fire stations," said Mayor Joe Macon. "But we had to. Some of you are not going to like it. ... Unfortunately, some good people are going to get hurt." Just the idea of closing fire stations, sent anxiety through the city. Hundreds of residents crowded into a special meeting at Paul West Middle School. The approximately 40 uniformed firemen who attended the meeting did not want to speak... [read full story]