Mesa Endorsed Candidates Sweep Election

Candidate Les Presmyk discusses public safety issues with fire fighters.

June 26, 2007 – United Mesa Fire Fighters Local 2260 in Arizona are celebrating as four Gilbert Town Council candidates it endorsed won in the Town Council election held May 15, 2007. Thanks to Local 2260’s hard work, Les Presmyk, Linda Abbott, Steve Uri and Dave Crozier won Council positions.

Presmyk, Uri and Crozier are all incumbents, and Abbott is returning after a 15-year absence from the Town Council. “It was very important for us to support these four candidates, not only because of their proven track record of fire fighter support, but because there were many anti-fire fighter candidates running against them,” says Bryan Jeffries, president of Local 2260.

Re-electing Abbott was of particular significance because, in addition to being the wife of a Tempe fire fighter and Phoenix Local 493 member, she was instrumental in establishing a professional fire department in Gilbert.

Until 15 years ago, fire protection was delivered from the private company, Rural-Metro. “Because of Abbotts’ efforts, the town now has a professional fire department which responds to fires and serves as first responders to medical calls,” says Jeffries. “It’s clear that we weren’t the only ones who wanted her back because she was the top vote-getter in this election.”

Local 2260’s campaign to support the candidates included posting almost 400 signs, staffing multiple phone-banks, recording robo-calls, providing public safety related photo opportunities, engaging in many fundraisers and distributing election literature.

The Arizona Education Association, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the Arizona Police Association and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) also supported the candidates.

With a fire fighter friendly Council in place, members are already moving forward with a meet-and-confer ordinance. “Previously, the town manager has had a closed door policy when it comes to fire fighters,” explains Jeffries. “The time is now to open that door. We are pleased that the Council is supportive of this progressive labor-management issue.”

United Mesa Fire Fighters Local 2260 includes three chapters: Gilbert, Apache Junction and Mesa.