Firefighter union backs Konopa
By Cathy Ingalls
Albany Democrat-Herald

Albany’s firefighter union is endorsing Councilor Sharon Konopa for mayor in the November general election.

Union President Jason Katzenstein made the announcement Monday.

She is running against Charlie Smith and Mayor Dan Bedore, who was appointed to the post in January following the death of Doug Killin.

The 68-member association also is supporting incumbent Floyd Collins in Ward I, Bill Coburn Jr. in Ward II and incumbent Jeff Christman in Ward III.

In Oregon House District 15, the union prefers Democrat Dick Olsen, a member of the Albany City Council, over Republican incumbent Andy Olson. And in the presidential contest, the union favors Sen. Barack Obama over Sen. John McCain.

“That is because Obama is a strong supporter of collective bargaining rights,” Katzenstein said.

In the House race, union members like Olsen because he is a longtime councilor who knows Albany and has supported firefighters in the past, he said. Olson does not have that much direct experience with Albany firefighters, he added.

Katzenstein said the union is making no recommendations in the Linn County Board of Commissioner races. He declined to say why.

Konopa, who has represented Ward II for 12 years, gained the union endorsement because of her strong support for public safety and her position on responsible growth in Albany, Katzenstein said.

Collins, who is being challenged by North Albany advocate Bill Root, was endorsed for his support for public safety, as was Christman, who is opposed by Frank Frenzel.

Coburn is seeking Konopa’s seat, as are C. Jeffery Evans and Mike Styler.

The union likes Coburn because he sits on the city’s public safety commission and is familiar with firefighters’ challenges and duties.

“Our decisions weren’t easy to make because there are lots of good candidates,” Katzenstein said.

This is the second general election in which the union has endorsed candidates. The first was in 2006.

“For us, becoming politically active ensures that our firefighters and the community’s safety are a priority,” he said. Katzenstein said the five-member union board arrived at the endorsements after interviewing all of the candidates.