Tampa Bay Reporter does not take editorial positions; however, we welcome debate and publish opinions from others. (Guest opinions and letters to the editor may or may not reflect opinions or thoughts of Tampa Bay Reporter or of anyone connected with Tampa Bay Reporter.) Today, letter writer Dan Hester, a former Seminole council member and candidate in the upcoming election for the Seminole City Council, responds to the endorsement by Seminole firefighters of Kelly Wissing for the council. Click here for story.)

Dear Editor of Tampa Bay Reporter:

I write in response to your recent news article posted Aug. 30, 2018 “Firefighters Endorse Wissing in Seminole Council Race,” whom I know was recruited by the fire union to run specifically to fill the union’s best interests. As a former city of Seminole council member from 2005 through 2010 and current candidate for the November 2018 council election, I would like to point out some facts as it pertains to the firefighter union endorsement of any candidate.

I find the endorsement unfounded and disingenuous. Not because they did not endorse me, but for the simple fact they did not even contact me. How can you endorse a candidate without doing your homework?  Your lack of due diligence on your endorsement simply reflects your lack of leadership in “fairly” representing the facts to the men and women first responders who are employees of the city of Seminole.

The citizens of my city also understand what is reasonable and fair in any negotiation. The fire union has called for the current contract negotiations to be deemed at an “impasse,” which is pathetic. Maybe that is because of your lack of leadership[Seminole fire union president] Mr. [Jeremy] Newton, or perhaps your new labor attorney has given you bad advice that the city is going to roll over and give in to the ridiculous demands you have made.

In closing, I dare the TB Reporter or any news outlet to print a simple summary of the current benefits the union members receive and I ask Mr. Newton to make available to the public your current contract AND the demands you have placed on me and the other taxpayers who live in the city with your new contract. And do I dare say that less than 5 percent of your membership actually live in my city but expect the taxpayers and my constituents to provide you even more than the existing contract you already enjoy?

Dan Hester

Photo shows Dan Hester.

Dan Hester | Politics | Elections | Firefighters | Fire Union | Letter to Editor | Tampabay News

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