05/18/06 - Posted from the Daily Record
newsroom
Morristown
firefighters show support for Smith
Incumbent councilman prepares for challenger in primary election for 3rd Ward
MORRISTOWN -- Town
firefighters on Wednesday night threw their support behind Jim Smith, who is
running for re-election to his 3rd Ward seat on the town council.
Smith faces Myra Bowie-McCready in the June 6 Democratic primary for the nomination to run in November,
"Councilman James Smith supports and promotes a vibrant and safe town for all of us to live, work, shop and worship in,"said Stuart Williamson, president of the firefighters' union, Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association 43.
Fire Captain Jon Prachthauser, vice president of the fire officers' union, FMBA Local 243, read a statement from the union president, Capt. Gary Desjadon, which noted Smith's deep roots in Morristown as a relative of the Sagarese family.
"Jim is fourth generation in Morristown," the statement read. "The Sagarese family has lived here since the 1890s. That's commitment."
Smith is running for re-election to the seat he was appointed to fill in January when former councilman Donald Cresitello was elected mayor. He is facing off against Bowie-McCready, an outspoken member of the Cutler Park neighborhood.
Smith owns Smithco Plumbing and Heating in Morristown and is a former town housing commissioner.
Firefighters' rationale
The firefighters said that they chose to endorse Smith because he has pledged to champion their concerns, such as staffing and building a new firehouse, as well as issues they deal with such as the safety concerns arising from overcrowding.
"Stacking has to be addressed," Smith said. "It affects the emergency people who come to the house."
Smith said he witnessed firsthand the fire departments' concerns about staffing a few days ago when the fire department responded to a car accident on Madison Avenue. The department deployed its ambulance and a fire engine, but was then forced to call in help from Morris Township to respond to a report of smoke in town hall.
"We have to do something for these guys," Smith said. "They are very important to us."
Williamson said that staffing levels for the fire department need to "keep pace" with development coming into town. He believes Smith will be an advocate for the fire department to the council.
"The concern we have is in lean budget years, staffing levels become part of the focus,"Williamson said.
Those who attended the press conference on Wednesday included supporters of Mayor Donald Cresitello, who is Smith's neighbor on Mills Street.