Public Backs Firefighters in Dispute With St. Helena Winery Owner
A wealthy St. Helena winery owner is getting a lesson in the public's support for first responders.
After writing an opinion article claiming that "overpaid" firefighters receive "high salaries for doing very little," Dario Sattui found himself the target of a boycott and the trigger of an outpouring of support for first responders.
"“While we, of course, support the public’s right to speak their opinion, this particular author is outright slanderous against our profession, our wages/benefits, and our members,” Santa Rosa Firefighters Local 1401 political director Tim Aboudara wrote in a Facebook post.
A Facebook page -- Public Safety Boycott V. Sattui Winery and Castello di Amoros -- has drawn nearly 3,500 followers less than a week after being established. The vast majority of those posting have sided with firefighters, with many calling the vitner's comments "flippant, arrogant, disgraceful and disrespectful." Postings were similarly weighted in support of firefighters at the vintner's own Facebook site.
"We may be able to choose whether or not to purchase his winery's products," wrote Aboudara, "but when he (and his loved ones) find themselves in a moment of need, our brothers and sisters will proudly, professionally and humbly answer the call ...."