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REPRINTED FROM THENEXTMAYOR.COMApril 16, 2007 press release, (submitted via e-mail) |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2007
Contact: Ted Mucellin
215-843-0917
610-730-8622 (cell)
Ted@mcclureforcouncil.com
PHILADELPHIA: Philadelphia’s Firefighters union, International Association of Firefighters Local 22, today endorsed Matt McClure for the May 15th primary in the 4th Councilmanic District. The endorsement by the union is the latest sign of McClure’s growing momentum heading into the final weeks of the campaign.
“I could not be more proud to receive the endorsement of true heroes like Philadelphia’s firefighters,” said McClure today. “Every day, they risk their lives to protect us and our families. We need to do more to support them and help them do their job.”
As a member of City Council, McClure will work to ensure that the firefighters get the support they deserve. He will work to keep open firehouses, fight any attempt to lessen their health coverage and put paramedics on each engine company to help save more lives.
“We are backing Matt McClure because Philadelphia needs real change,” said Brian McBride, the president of Local 22. “Too often, it is clear that politicians have money for their perks, but not to support us. That’s wrong, it needs to change and Matt McClure is someone who can make sure there is change.”
A press conference scheduled for today at 10:30 a.m. to announce the endorsement was cancelled due to the weather. The event was scheduled to be held at Engine 39 Ladder 30, located at Ridge Avenue and Cinnaminson, a firehouse which Mayor Street had recently proposed closing, and which McClure pledges to ensure will remain open and fully staffed.
Local 22 has a rich history in Philadelphia stretching back over 100 years when the organization was founded as the City Firefighters’ Association. Today, Local 22 represents the interests of more than 4,000 current and retired firefighters, paramedics and officers of the Philadelphia Fire Department.
Since he began campaigning a year ago, McClure has visited every neighborhood in the District, knocked on thousands of doors, and raised close to 200,000 dollars from more then 300 donors.
McClure, a 4th generation Philadelphian, began his professional career working for the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, DC before returning to Philadelphia to work for then-Mayor Ed Rendell. He is currently an attorney at Ballard Spahr. He and his wife Kelly and their two children live in East Falls.
For more information, visit: www.mcclureforcouncil.com, call the campaign headquarters at 215-843-0917, email us at info@mcclureforcouncil.com, or stop by the campaign headquarters at 4163 Ridge Avenue in East Falls.
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