| Updated: 9/03/2009 10:09 pm |
Published: 9/03/2009 2:10 pm
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Firefighters are engaging in thuggery. Those are the words of one city councilor as he accuses the fire union of trying to influence the outcome of next week’s primary. Firefighters say they’re the ones being bullied. Fox 23’s Douglas Clark has more on a story that has sparked infighting at city hall.
Firefighters have been going door to door, endorsing three opponents of incumbent city councilors. The council says they’re violating city charter and possibly federal law. But firefighters say they’re doing nothing wrong.
“I’m Chad Miller with Firefighter Local 176,” says one firefighter to a voter as he goes door to door. “We’re out walking today on behalf of our good friend Chris Trail,” Miller tells the voter. “He’s a very strong supporter of public safety and making sure we have the things we need to keep you safe.”
The three council candidates firefighters are endorsing are running against incumbents Bill Martinson, Eric Gomez, and Rick Westcott.
“It appears Tulsa firefighters are using their official authority and influence to affect the results of city council elections,” says District 7 Councilor John Eagleton, who is running unopposed, but not endorsed by the fire union either.
He says firefighters may be violating the Federal Hatch Act that distributes grant money.
“If the Hatch Act is deemed to be violated, the employee who violated it could be subject to discharge,” says Eagleton.
