Firefighters union will not endorse candidates in Conway city council races

The Conway Firefighters Local 4016 union will not name endorsements of Conway city council candidates for the upcoming election as previously announced.

Three candidates attended a political action meeting recently hosted by local union members. The union was expected to endorse candidates based on this meeting and other considerations, said Damon Reed, local 4016 president.

Instead of traditional endorsements, union members would like council candidates to include fire department staffing issues on respective political platforms.

A recent Geographic Information Systems study that analyzed the fire suppression response capabilities of the Conway Fire Department was mailed to each candidate.

Too few responded to the GIS study, Reed said, in order to make well-informed endorsements. Reed said the union does appreciate the candidates who attended the meeting.

In attendance were council member and Ward 4, Position 1, candidate David Henze, and Phil Stratton and Larry Rathjen, candidates for Ward 2, Position 1.

Thomas Lites, an opponent to Henze, did not receive a letter from the union and responded later. Reed the GIS study and questionaire to Lites after realizing Lites was not sent the information.

The union would like all council candidates to consider this study during the campaign and its staffing suggestions.

"We simply feel the work we are currently doing to increase staffing to the national minimum standard is so important to the safety of the citizens we protect and our own safety, we want to dedicate our time and resources to the staffing issue," a press release stated.

Also, local union members would like candidates to opine on reinstating the civil service commission.

"However, only two council seats are contested and a super majority of six votes are needed to change the current city ordinance governing fire department employment, promotions, and grievances," the press release stated.