International Association of Firefighters, Local #2434, the Turlock affiliate union for firefighters, announced their endorsements of Gary Soiseth for Turlock City Mayor and Bill DeHart for reelection to City Council.
According to Dale Melden, Turlock Firefighters Political Action Committee Director, the PAC met with all but two of the Mayoral and Council candidates on Sept. 2.
Melden explained that the interviewers, Casey Cockrell, Matt Mason, and PAC Treasurer Andrew Quimby, asked candidates questions pertaining to wages, working conditions, and benefits for Turlock Fire, as well as each candidate’s plans for the general direction of the City.
The executive board of the union formally decided who to endorse following their meeting with each of the candidates, after planning the interviews about a month in advance.
“Mr. Soiseth has a clear vision for the future of Turlock and recognizes the important role Public Safety plays in the success and health of our community” the union’s release stated. “Since being seated as a Turlock City Council member in 2010, Mr. DeHart has been dedicated to the staffing and support of Public Safety in the City of Turlock.”
Melden could not be reached for comment on why the PAC chose to only endorse one Council candidate, even though there are two seats that candidates are vying for.
Following the announcement of his endorsement by the PAC, Soiseth shared his gratitude on Facebook.
"I am humbled to receive the endorsement of Turlock Firefighters, Local #2434!” said Soiseth. “They believe in my vision for a stronger community, which starts with protecting those that protect us."
Both Soiseth and DeHart have also been endorsed by the Turlock Associated Police Officers PAC.
While the decisions were made with the best interest of union members in mind, Melden said, endorsements were also “100 percent” given to the candidates who “support Turlock citizens.”
The PAC’s endorsements will involve monetary support, although Melden did not disclose specific figures. As of June 30, according to FPPC documents filed, the PAC held more than $22,000.
Forms also show a total of 39 contributions from individual Turlock Fire Fighters as members of the union, International Association of Firefighters, Local #2434. The union is voluntary, according to Melden, as not all Turlock firefighters are required to join. Members that choose to join have $105 extracted from one paycheck every month, meaning $105 is taken out of every other paycheck. If a firefighter is a union member and chooses to support the PAC, $85 of the $105 is put towards general membership, and $20 is given to the PAC.
Any union member who chooses not to support the PAC, can instead have all $105 extracted from their paycheck supports the union general fund.
This means that each of the 39 union contributors chose to support the union PAC, in understanding the union’s statement of “Integrity, Strength, Honor and Pride.”
bought and paid for by the unions… Pay raises anyone???
paid an awfully lot of money to run as mayor – i wonder if this has anything to do with water regulation and keeping those USDA almond farmer welfare money coming in.
We need more people like Gary in local government to make sure the focus is on our community not the whole county or state.
Turlock voters do not need Gary Sosieth to be our next Mayor. He is telling lies all around town, about his personal life, his work experience (he was NOT in the military, and a guest lecturer at CSUS) about Measure B & how it’s funded. If Andre wants to run for Mayor, than Andre should have run for Mayor. I’m not surprised the Turlock religious right is backing him, once a hypocrite, always hypocrites, not to forget the fire fighters
Gary is not telling lies. Have you read his bio
“For nearly four years, Gary lived and worked in rural villages throughout Afghanistan, most recently as the Director of Economic Growth for the United States Army and a United States Department of Agriculture Senior Advisor in Southern Afghanistan. As the Director and Senior Advisor, Gary mentored Afghan government officials, trained local farmers in best management practices, and managed tens of millions of dollars of agriculture development aid. “
You are the one spreading lies…Not Gary!!
No, Gary is telling lies, mistruths, anything to get elected. The kid has no experience and it’s obvious by what he told my swee 80 year old neighbor. He said Measure B is going to raise taxes so much, no one will go to his son’s metal shop, they’ll drive to Sacramento. What??? FYI Sosieth, Sac County businesses already pay a 1/2 cent sales tax. So, pay it in Turlock where it will upgrade Turlock roads or pay it in Sacramento to better Sacramento roads. If you read what the kid wrote about Measure B and why he’s against it, his argument is all smoke and mirrors. Why is he spreading misinformation? And try your best not to call other with an opposing viewpoint names, it shows your lack of intelligence. But I forgot, this is TCN.
If Curt Andre wanted to run for Mayor, than he should have run for Mayor. It is really pathetic how Andre is bad-mouthing our current Mayor. If Andre is so smart (what happened to civility did Andre forget he is “civil”) and smooth, then run for Mayor. Don’t put up your “mentee”, a kid you’ve been hanging around since he was 15. Who does that? If you wanted a “son”, than you should have had a 3rd baby or adopted for pete’s sake.
In regards to the idiotic comment about Soiseth saying lies about his personal life and the statement that “he was NOT in the military, and guest lecturer at CSUS”…..here are a few articles for you to read:
http://blogs.usda.gov/2010/11/23/despite-threats-and-intimidation-usda-and-mail-deliver-services-to-afghan-farmers/
http://www.army.mil/article/53806/coordination-sparks-agriculture-in-afghan-province/
http://www.fas.usda.gov/newsroom/usda-employee-gary-soiseth-returns-helping-rebuild-afghanistans-agricultural-sector
And if you would like to do further research you will find that Soiseth was actually and adjunt teacher for CSUS for a period of time. He also just did a guest lecture yesterday, Monday September 15th, for the CSUS Agriculture program. So how bout you stop trying to make up lies and actually do some research. Also, stop referring to a 30 year old MAN as a child. His proven leadership and knowledge is what we need in this screwed up city of Turlock.
To further back up the previous comment and the fact that soiseth IS what we need in Turlock, here are some more articles to prove the great leadership and intelligence that soiseth has proven to possess.
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-842316
http://www.dtnprogressivefarmer.com/dtnag/common/link.do;jsessionid=5D0B6817542A0EF5207D06286D9287FD.agfreejvm2?symbolicName=/free/news/template1&product=/ag/news/bestofdtnpf&vendorReference=0f4971e5-73db-4414-a3b8-39bac7e6ddf6__1302617656488&paneContentId=3030&paneParentId=0&pagination_num=1
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uexk9WitTdE
http://www.dvidshub.net/news/48812/agriculture-helps-wardak-counter-insurgency-fight#.VBiaeYm9LCR
Anyone would be better than our current mayor!! He is an idiot and has no business being mayor!!
Thanks for stating facts about Gary. The person that says he is telling lies is stating no facts…just opinions. Obviously that stupid person also believes that Measure B sales tax will stay in Turlock. Boy…is that person stupid, stupid and stupid. Sounds like a true democrat.
Vote for Gary not more taxes!!!
Why did the Turlock firefighters only endorse just one council candidate when there are two seats up for election?