Commending Buddy Kirsits Public Services Career

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RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, CONGRATULATING AL `BUDDY" KIRSITS FOR AN EXEMPLARY PUBLIC SERVICE CAREER OF 32 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE ON THE SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT AND 12 YEARS OF IMPECCABLE SERVICE ON THE SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL Ng;eoA the South Bend Common Council is extremely proud to publicly honor Al "Buddy" Kirsits, who will long be remembered for setting the bar at the highest level on the South Bend Fire Department where he tirelessly served for the past thirty -two (32) years — having been official sworn in on November 27, 1979 and following a family tradition of dedicated fire service which began with Buddy's father and grandfather; and GX" the Common Council is also proud to acknowledge that Buddy served for twelve (12) years on the South Bend Common Council as a Council Member at Large where he championed for the rights of city residents and always brought a keen public safety perspective to discussions and deliberations; and (5)0 there are countless stories which reflect Buddy's true commitment to public service; his unrelenting pursuit of excellence; and his compassion for always going that extra mile - with one of the best examples being when Buddy met an ambulance at St. Joe Hospital well after midnight which had traveled non- stop from Tennessee one cold & snowy night, and after this special patient was admitted, took the Tennessee firefighters and paramedics on a tour of Fire Station No. 2 where Buddy served as Battalion Chief and a tour of Notre Dame fire services which will always be remembered by them and a family with very grateful hearts; /i7" the Council knows that Buddy probably has many keen and insightful comments about his decision to exercise his rights under the State of Indiana's "PLOP" program (partial lump sum option payment) which may work their way into comments on retirement; and 630", the Council notes that the June 28, 2012 article in the South Bend Tribune entitled "Longtime Firefighter Hanging Up His Helmet" did not mention that reliable sources have confirmed that the bandages on Buddy's right arm shown in the Tribune's picture were in fact from recent carpal tunnel surgery which Buddy had to relieve pressure on the median nerve which supplies feeling and movement to parts of the hand and often leads to numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle damage in the hand and fingers - - -a common problem of anglers — especially those who study the foraging habits of fish in Minnesota and Donnell Lake. r � . r r. .�r �.i r r Vr r Vr r r Vn r .r rr .�� . r r r r • • Section I. On behalf of the citizens of the City of South Bend, Indiana, the Common Council is pleased to publicly honor AL `BUDDY" KIRSITS for a great public service career with the City of South Bend. Section II. The Common Council thanks Buddy for his service, his humor and his passion to always do the right thing; and knows that Jonathan Kirsits who was sworn in on April 13, 2011 will follow in his Dad's footsteps. May the fish always be biting for you Buddy; and may you, Mary, Jonathan, Kyle, and Hanna continue to have great and memorable moments together which are ^ed wi much love and O. Section III. This Resolution shall be in full force c Valerie Schey, 3r District . Dieter, At Gavin Fe ic, At Large its adoption by the Council