State firefighters back Carney

BY COULTER JONES

CARBONDALE — The state's firefighters union has again endorsed the
campaign of U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-Dimock Twp.

Mr. Carney, who faces Republican Chris Hackett in the 10th
Congressional District, was endorsed by the Pennsylvania Professional
Fire Fighters Association in his 2006 campaign. Mr. Carney's campaign
called the endorsement a sign of his bipartisan nature, while his
opponent called it part of a "big labor" agenda.

"To firefighters, it doesn't matter if you are a Democrat or a
Republican, a liberal or conservative," PFFA President Art Martynuska
said. "What we care about is protecting the lives and property of the
public and serving our communities … Congressman Carney has stood on
the frontline with firefighters."

Mr. Martynuska made his remarks during a ceremony outside Carbondale's
fire hall. Carbondale — along with Forty Fort and Williamsport — are
three fire companies in the 10th Congressional District that has
members represented by the labor union.

"Chris Carney votes for the big labor unions' agenda, including even
denying workers the freedom to have a secret ballot when choosing
whether to have union representation," Hackett campaign spokesman Mark
Harris said.

Mr. Carney, who worked as an emergency medical technician while going
to college in Iowa, said he was honored to receive the endorsement,
particularly because of his own experiences "working alongside
firefighters."

The state labor union is part of the broader International Association
of Fire Fighters. Mr. Martynuska said the state union will endorse in
17 races, supporting seven Republicans and 10 Democrats.

"It's always about public safety," Mr. Martynuska said. "Every time we
go to the bargaining table the issue that faces us is public safety …
How many other unions can say that?

Contact the writer: cjones@citizensvoice.com