Tell Us Your November Election Stories
CLICK HERE TO SEND US YOUR LOCAL ELECTION STORIES
When it comes to fighting for the issues that make a difference for first responders, all politics is local.
Many CPF locals are actively engaged in exercising their rights to participate in the political process, through grassroots organizing and focused political action. Our philosophy has always been simple ... we stand with those who stand up for first responders, their families and the citizens we serve.
If you are a CPF local affiliate that has been active in politics, we want to hear about your contest. Send us your triumphs, travails, strategies and stories from the trail.
We will spotlight your good work for the benefit of your brothers and sisters on this web site and in an upcoming edition of The California Professional Firefighter.
CLICK HERE TO SEND US YOUR LOCAL ELECTION STORIES
STORIES FROM THE FIELD ... NOVEMBER 2008 ELECTION
San Luis Obispo Firefighters, Local 3523 - "Our City Council race was hotly contested between four individuals. One of the seats was up for re-election and incumbent Paul Brown was seeking a second term. Paul was previously supported by Local 3523. However, he became very outspoken about public safety and more importantly, binding arbitration. Local 3523 ran our normal walk and drop program with the help of the CPF Print and Design Shop and blasted the radio airwaves with political ads for our candidates. By the end of election night, Local 3523 managed to get both of our endorsed Council candidates elected and in the same swoop take out an incumbent Councilmember. It made it very clear to everyone in our city that that Local 3523 is the most powerful union in the region. It also sent a clear message that we can put you into office, but if you oppose us, we can and will take you out. - Erik Baskin, President
Berkeley Firefighters Association, Local 1227 - Berkeley was successful with Measure GG by a landslide at 71.26 percent. I had a meeting scheduled with the city on November 5th that had an agenda of either fire station closures/personnel reductions OR how and when our new funding will be realized and available. I am SO pleased that it's the latter!" - David Sprague-Livingston, President
San Jose Fire Fighters, Local 230 - "We had two city council seats up for election and our candidates Rose Herrera and Ash Kalra were successful. We also spent $60,000 on a comprehensive mail program for two phone tax measures, Measures J and K. The measures passed, which will bring in an additional $60 million for the city. That was money that was going to go away. Now we get to keep it and it passed by over 70 percent. We ran the table. It was the first time in a long time that every candidate and every issue that we backed was hugely successful." - Mark Skeen, Vice President
