EVERETT – Over breakfast at Port Gardner Grill, an offer was reportedly made to the city firefighters union: Support Mayor Ray Stephanson’s re-election campaign, and he will replace the marina fire station that is scheduled for demolition.
The offer reportedly came from Larry Crawford, Everett chief administrative assistant to Stephanson, said Bob Downey and Tom Deckers, the firefighter union’s president and vice president, who were at the breakfast meeting.
Crawford brought up the mayor’s campaign, and said the city would build the station right away if the union endorsed the mayor, said Downey, president of International Association of Firefighters Local 46, which has 180 members.
“It was not up for interpretation,” Deckers said. “If you support the mayor, you’ll see a Station 3 built.”
A similar discussion also took place a week before the breakfast, between Downey and Fire Chief Murray Gordon, Downey said.
The discussions are months old – the breakfast was March 15 – but the charge comes to light just as Stephanson has formally kicked off his re-election campaign and as the city and fire union are preparing for contract negotiations in June. The fire union’s contract expires Dec. 31.
As planned, Fire Station 3 is scheduled for demolition in April 2006 as part of the Port of Everett’s redevelopment plans. The city hasn’t yet said where the station’s 12 firefighters and engine will go.
“As we stand right now, the city has not done anything to replace that station,” Downey said. “Our problem with that is we have an engine company with no home next April. We already have the manpower, we just need a firehouse.”
The firefighter museum is also scheduled for demolition, but relocation plans are unclear.
City officials roundly denied the union officers’ statements.
Gordon said he doesn’t have the power to offer a new Station 3 in exchange for an endorsement of Stephanson.
“I really don’t know why Bob would insinuate that,” Gordon said.
“Bob and I talked about the possibility of the mayor winning the election, and Bob indicated he felt he would win the election,” Gordon said.
“Bob had indicated to me he felt the union should remain neutral and not endorse either candidate for the election. I posed the point, if that’s the case, if you feel the mayor’s going to win the election, why would you want to remain at the station instead of getting on the train and participating in the process?”
That meant endorsing the mayor for re-election, Gordon said.
In a later meeting, Crawford said he met over breakfast with the union brass to hear their concerns. The three discussed Station 3, union grievances and health care, he said.
“Bob did make the statement that the union was still undecided on who they were going to support,” Crawford said. “I probably responded ‘clearly, that’s your decision to make.’”
The men shook hands after the breakfast, and Crawford paid for his and Downey’s meals, the $2.22 special, Crawford said.
When asked, Crawford said there was no connection made between Station 3 and the mayor’s re-election campaign. “Absolutely not.”
When pressed, Crawford said he was surprised at the union’s recounting of the breakfast.
“I surely am,” Crawford said. “I’m disappointed. The 10th floor (of the Wall Street Building, which houses city administration) and unions have always had a very good relationship and always try to do what’s best for the community. While we may not always agree, we usually end up in a place where the citizens can feel good about where we landed.
“It’ll be a while before I’ll probably be meeting one-on-one” with the union, Crawford added.
Stephanson disputes the union officers’ version of the conversation.
“Absolutely not true,” Stephanson said. “I’ve asked Larry whether he made that statement, and he assured me he did not.
“There’s never been a question of whether to replace Station 3,” Stephanson said. “The real issue is where should that replacement station be.”
Downey said he was appalled that the city administration would connect politics and public safety.
That the fire union is pushing Station 3 and Stephanson’s administration into the headlines in an election year might set the tone for the campaign season.
The union endorsement of candidates is key, Downey said.
“Our local carries a lot of weight within the labor community,” he said. “If you don’t get a majority of city labor unions within the Snohomish County Labor Council, you won’t get their endorsement.”
The union hasn’t yet made an endorsement in the mayor’s race, Downey said. The union has endorsed the three City Council incumbents who will be on the fall ballot- Arlan Hatloe, Mark Olson and Drew Nielsen – as well as candidate Paul Roberts.
Politicians seek union endorsements, Stephanson said. “I’ve received endorsements from unions outside the city and made that request of unions inside.
“It’s not critical to the success of the campaign. I’m going to run on my record.”
Stephanson said no public safety workers were laid off as part of last year’s budget crunch. “As long as I’m here, public safety will be my highest priority,” he said.
Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@heraldnet.com.
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