© 2011 by Jack D. Wilson
Photo courtesy of stock.xchng
You can review City of Prescott election finance reports online at the City of Prescott web site. If you go through the contributions, you will see a number from firefighter unions, but not the local firefighter union (United Yavapai Fire Fighters 3066). Are you scratching your head trying to figure out what that means? Well, here is the inside scoop.
Firefighter union political activism
Since I ran for office twice, I had a view that few citizens are afforded. I hope to make the process more transparent by sharing some of my knowledge. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is a union. The IAFF Local 3066 chapter president is J. P. Vicente, a City of Prescott firefighter. Here is a quote from the IAFF web site:
“Political action is critical to helping ensure that fire fighter-friendly candidates are elected to public office. Every year, new campaigns and elections are held at the local, state and federal level – giving IAFF locals the opportunity to get politically active and make a difference.”
Let us take a look at how this union gets involved and tries to influence the local Prescott election.
- The local firefighters union (UYFF Local 3066) holds a meetings to interview candidates regarding their support of the union. The key question is if you would support a contract with the union. The union actually has a Political Action Committee (PAC) that actually does this. When I ran for a second term in 2009, Cory Moser was the Prescott Firefighters PAC President and the Chairperson, Candidate Selection Committee, UYFF Local 3066. This year, that committee met individually with each candidate.
- In 2009, Marlin Kuykendall got their endorsement, contributions and other union support; but not this time, as the union endorsed Maryann Suttles. I suspect Marlin was true to form and promised them what they wanted then failed to deliver on his promise (an old and continuing pattern).
- Rather than the local union (UYFF Local 3066) making the campaign contributions, they have other firefighter unions across the state make the contributions. The rationale for doing it this way is presented below.
- The firefighters union contributes more than money ifthey endorse you. They had firefighters from across the state knocking on doors for Mary Ann Suttles and other supported candidates. I also understand they will help you get nominating petitions signatures if needed (in 2009 the rumor was they were having a hard time getting signatures for Steve Blair).
- The union will only endorse you if they think you can win.
Firefighter union contributions
The table below shows contributions from five (5) different firefighter organizations, all outside of Prescott. Some will wonder why the local firefighters union did not contribute. I contacted J. P. Vicente, President of the local union on August 22nd and asked that question. He cited two reasons for not getting directly involved:
- There are provisions in the Charter of the City of Prescott regarding employee involvement in political campaigns. Even though contribution would have been made from a Political Action Committee (PAC), the local union did not want to have potential questions regarding illegal employee involvement.
- Other than Prescott, the other firefighter local unions are just getting their Political Action Committees started.
J. P. indicated that when the union has candidates they would like to support, they present their case to the state firefighters union organization and request assistance. The state organization works with other firefighter organizations across the state to marshal resources.
| Maryann Suttles | Contribution From | |
| $410 | Avondale Professional Firefighters | |
| $410 | United Flagstaff Firefighters PAC Fund | |
| $410 | International Association of Firefighters | |
| Total | $1,230 | |
| Charlie Arnold | Contribution From | |
| $450 | United Phoenix Firefighters, Tempe Chapter | |
| $430 | Phoenix Firefighters Local 493 | |
| Total | $880 | |
| Jim Lamerson | Contribution From | |
| $450 | United Phoenix Firefighters, Tempe Chapter | |
| ($20) | Refund excess contribution | |
| Total | $430 | |
| Grand Total | $2,540 | |
Firefighters canvassing in Prescott
Grassroots campaigning used to mean a candidate recruited friends and supporters to knock on doors and make phone calls on their behalf. As noted in J.P.’s previous comments, the state union organization marshals resources based upon requests from local firefighter unions. Political campaigns take more than money to win and “boots on the ground” or grassroots door-to-door canvassing of voters is a critical element.
The state firefighters union organization helped to coordinate volunteers from across the state to knock on doors for supported candidates.
Is this legal?
The answer is yes. However, understanding why firefighter unions across Arizona are intervening in a local Prescott election is important for voters to make an informed decision. The old adage of “follow the money” applies in spades here.
Is this ethical?
Photo courtesy of stock.xchng
That is a grayer question. As a voter, you need to ask yourself if you have heard any of the firefighter supported candidates (Maryann Suttles, Jim Lamerson or Charlie Arnold) publically state their position regarding a firefighter contract and what that implies.
Understanding what Quid pro quo meets in a political sense is important here. If all of this is being negotiated behind closed doors and none of the candidates are publically acknowledging their positions, then that raises some ethical concerns, In My Humble Opinion.
Closing comments by Union President J. P. Vicente
“The local union is trying to make the best choices for Prescott, looking at the current economic situation and the potential for growth in the future while maintaining the charm of Prescott.”
Feedback
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Jack D. Wilson first visited Prescott in 1995 and has been a resident since 2000. He took a sojourn into politics and was the mayor of Prescott Arizona from Nov. 2007 – Nov. 2009. He now writes a couple of blogs among his many activities.
