After interviewing with the Professional Fire Fighters Local 2919 officers a month ago, and after numerous emails and voice mails to find out if Tony Anderson had been endorsed (because he had been putting up signs that he WAS endorsed long before the official announcement was made yesterday) I finally received an answer with a phone call yesterday and an email today. See email below:
—– Original Message —– From: John Gallup To: ccp2seatac@forschler.org ; mtkseatac2009@earthlink.net ; pamlf@comcast.net Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 5:17 AM Subject: Fire Fighter Endorsements
The SeaTac Fire Fighters have made their endorsements for the 2009 elections. We appreciate all the candidates meeting with us and we were glad to see so much excitement regarding the election. Regardless of the outcome, the Fire Fighters look forward to working with those elected.We have endorsed;
Tony Anderson, Barry Ladenburg and Jonathan Standridge.
Good luck to all the candidates.
John Gallup
253-370-3080
MY REPLY TO JOHN GALLUP:
Thank you John. I imagine this email is the endorsement notification ‘letter’ you told me last night on the phone that you would be sending to candidates? I appreciate you stating that “ Regardless of the outcome, the Fire Fighters look forward to working with those elected.” I feel the same way.
Regardless of the (election) outcome, I look forward to the fire fighters promoting an educational program in the community at large and in the schools. From what I observed just from working with victims of the Emerald Place Apartments fire, I would say that much needed life saving fire safety education is currently lacking in SeaTac. Best place to start is with the children in the schools. I will promote this in SeaTac.
Regardless of the (election) outcome, as a citizen, I urge the professional fire fighters to stick to the job they are paid by the taxpayers to do– fire fighting and emergency response–and leave SeaTac city politics to the people who live in SeaTac, pay taxes here and have a vote here. I will promote this in SeaTac.
Regardless of the (election) outcome, when/if our fire districts become regionalized, departments will share equipment (aside from our current mutual aide agreements) and the taxpayers really won’t need to fund a ladder truck in SeaTac. In addition, multi story buildings should be equipped with sprinkler systems which would go a very long way to keeping occupants safe, sans a ladder truck. I will promote this in SeaTac.
Regardless of the (election) outcome, I believe in transparency in all areas of city government, including fire station cost over runs and the State Auditor’s report on the building of the new fire station. I will promote that in SeaTac.
Many citizens, including myself, think of Fire Fighters as heros for the job they do for us. They do a great job as employees of our fine City, but I don’t think they should be meddling in our City politics. The Fire fighters, except for one or two, do not live in SeaTac and cannot vote here.
They are Union represented, well paid, have a brand new rescue boat to use at Angle Lake, a brand new, earthquake proof fire station on 170th, and I guess I understand why they would want to endorse candidates who agree with the Fire Fighters that they should have a new ladder truck also.
The Fire Fighters are convinced that having an elected Mayor will have a negative impact on them. If their want list is legitimate, I can’t see how an elected Mayor would keep them from having what they need anymore than a City Manager would.
Personally I’m not bothered by not being endorsed by the Fire Fighters. At least no one will have to wonder what kind of a deal I made to pick up an endorsement.
State auditors findings – new SeaTac fire station http://www.sao.wa.gov/AuditReports/AuditReportFiles/ar1002282.pdf http://www.sao.wa.gov/findings/1002282.pdf http://www.sao.wa.gov/AuditReports/AuditReportFiles/ar1002283.pdf
SeaTac Budget – 2009 http://www.ci.seatac.wa.us/edocument/2009budget.pdf
Regards,
Pam Fernald
Candidate – SeaTac City Council Pos. 6
Visit my campaign site at:
http://blog.electfernald2009.org/welcome/