Springfield firefighters endorse council candidates.

Byline: Jack Moran The Register-Guard

SPRINGFIELD - The city firefighters union has established a political action committee and is backing three City Council candidates who have indicated support of the group's goals.

The Springfield Professional Firefighters Association's PAC has raised more than $5,000 from union members since September, according to a campaign contribution and expenditure report filed earlier this month with the city Recorder's Office.

Some of the cash will be used to assist the three candidates who are seeking four-year terms on the City Council in the May 16 primary election.

"Springfield firefighters are taking another step in the political arena and trying to do what we can to promote better firefighting for citizens," said Kevin Gray, the union's vice president and PAC treasurer. "It's something we take very seriously."

The PAC is endorsing incumbent Ward 1 Councilor Christine Lundberg, who is opposed by AJ Ullmann; Ward 2 candidate Mark Molina, who is facing Hillary Wylie; and incumbent Ward 5 Councilor John Woodrow, who is being challenged by Fred Simmons.

Gray said Lundberg, Molina and Woodrow have expressed "goals that follow those of city firefighters."

Those goals include maintaining existing staffing levels and generally working to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public, Gray said.

The PAC is willing to contribute financially to the three endorsed candidates' campaigns, and go door-to-door to speak to Springfield residents on their behalf, Gray said.

The group is raising money through deductions from about 55 union members' paychecks. Firefighters are contributing $10 to $20 a month to the PAC, campaign filings show.

The PAC, which Gray said formed about two years ago, is also planning to campaign in support of renewal of a citywide property tax levy that will be presented to voters in November. First approved in 2002, the levy allows the city to fully staff all five of its fire stations by raising about $1 million annually. The levy costs the owner of a home assessed at $200,000 about $70 per year.