DAVENPORT ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS HONORS ALDERMAN SHEILIA BURRAGE FOR EFFORTS IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Monday night the Davenport Association of Professional Fire Fighters honored Alderman Sheilia Burrage (Davenport's 5th Ward) for her efforts in promoting public safety in Davenport.  In the last two years Alderman Burrage has promoted a policy of trying to keep the streets and neighborhoods safe in the 5th ward and making sure that first responders have what they need to protect the public.

"The 5th ward is where people live, it's where they go to school, its where a lot of them go to church, it's a place that we need to make safer for all residents of Davenport.  My plan for the next two years is continue working with Davenport's first responders to identify those areas in the fifth ward that need attention" said Alderman Burrage.

"Tonight we are showing our appreciation for Alderman Burrage's continuing support for Davenport's public safety.  Without her help and activism for making our neighborhoods safer, we believe Davenport would be a much different place" said Jason Roth, President of the Davenport Fire Fighters

In August, Alderman Burrage encouraged her colleagues to support an 11th hour application for a federal grant after hearing their counterparts in Des Moines unanimously passed a resolution directing their Fire Chief to do the same.  If awarded, 3 fire fighters positions in the City of Davenport will be restored and funded by the federal government for 2 years.  In early September, FEMA reviewed the grant applications, but due to the government shutdown the city of Davenport anxiously awaits the outcome of their decision. Along with working with the Davenport Fire Fighter's, Sheilia has worked closely with neighborhood associations and watch programs to help make the 5th ward safer for the residents there.

Sheilia Burrage has served the citizens of Davenport's 5th ward since January of 2012.  Alderman Burrage sits on both the Public Safety and the Finance Committees.

State Senator Joe Seng is announcing today that he will be filing a bill in the Iowa State Senate addressing the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission and Riverboat Development Authority and their responsibilities. Senator Seng will be addressing press at 6PM today at Renwick Mansion 901 Tremont in Davenport.  Senator Seng will be available after the press conference at 6PM for comment.  Please call 563-940-0671 or email Joe.seng@Legis.iowa.gov .

On behalf of the Quad City Federation of Labor,

You are invited to attend a Chili Supper for

 

Candidate for State Representative

Mike Smiddy

Featuring Special Guests

Rock Island Sherriff Jeff Boyd

IL AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Tim Drea

 

Thursday, March 1st,  5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

 

Laborer's Hall, 2835 7th Avenue, Rock Island

 

 

Suggested Contribution:

Individual: $10

Family: $15

Sponsor: $100

Host: $250

 

 

Please make your check payable to:

Mike Smiddy for State Rep.
PO Box 171
Hillsdale, IL 61257

 

Please RSVP to Brian at (563) 210-8979 or at brian@mikesmiddy.com



The Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois Political Action Committee announced today, January 20, 2012, its endorsement of Mike Smiddy in the Democratic primary for the 71st House District.

The AFFI represents over 15,000 members in 211 communities across the state. The firefighters said Smiddy will be the best advocate for public safety and ensure Illinois firefighters have the resources necessary to keep the citizens and first responders safe.

"Mr. Smiddy impressed us with his depth of knowledge on issues important not only to firefighters, but to all working men and women in his district and the state," said Pat Devaney, President of the AFFI. "At a time when financial resources are at a premium, it's good to know the voters have an opportunity to elect someone with fiscal integrity as well as concern for public safety."

AFFI Legislative Representative Chuck Sullivan stated that  " Mr. Smiddy's previous life experiences and work history lends credence to the fact that he understands the working middle class and is willing to stand up for all workers and their families."

The AFFI is among the most respected advocacy groups before the Illinois General Assembly and represents firefighters' efforts statewide in protecting lives and property from fire and other catastrophic events.

Endorsement Announcement:  January 20, 2012

Location: Moline Public Library Gold Room

Time: 10AM

The Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois Political Action Committee announced today its endorsement of Mike Smiddy in the Democratic primary for the 71st House District.

The AFFI represents over 15,000 members in 211 communities across the state. The firefighters said Smiddy will be the best advocate for public safety and ensure Illinois firefighters have the resources necessary to keep the citizens and first responders safe.

"Mr. Smiddy impressed us with his depth of knowledge on issues important not only to firefighters, but to all working men and women in his district and the state," said Pat Devaney, President of the AFFI. "At a time when financial resources are at a premium, it's good to know the voters have an opportunity to elect someone with fiscal integrity as well as concern for public safety."

AFFI Legislative Representative Chuck Sullivan stated that  " Mr. Smiddy's previous life experiences and work history lends credence to the fact that he understands the working middle class and is willing to stand up for all workers and their families."

The AFFI is among the most respected advocacy groups before the Illinois General Assembly and represents firefighters' efforts statewide in protecting lives and property from fire and other catastrophic events.

Mike Smiddy (38), candidate for State Representative in Illinois' 71st District received an enormous boost in his bid to become the democratic nominee when on Thursday he received the endorsements of the Northwest Illinois Building Trades and the Illinois AFL-CIO.  The Northwest Illinois Building Trades represents unions in Whiteside County the northern part of the 71st District while the Illinois AFL-CIO represents 1,500 local unions and nearly one million union members throughout the State of Illinois.

"Growing up in a middle class family and being the son of a UAW retiree I am extremely proud to have received these organizations support.  It is the hard work of organized labor that created the middle class in America and I plan to be a voice in the Illinois Legislature for those values and Ideals."

Smiddy, a member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local #46 at the East Moline Correctional Center believes that each generation is suppose to do better than the previous one.  If Illinois continues down its current path, our children and grandchildren may not be able to reach their potential because of our failures.

"We must demand more from our elected officials.  Being able to believe in the American Dream that we can achieve our goals by hard work and dedication is what our communities were built on. Illinoisans need to be able to trust those that they elect and send to Springfield.  Citizens need to have the confidence that the decisions that are being made by our leaders are done for the right reasons."

Since announcing his candidacy back in September, Smiddy has also received endorsements from the following organizations:

 

Laborers Local #309 (Rock Island)

The Quad City Federation of Labor

The Tri-City Building Trades

The Great Plains Laborer's District Council (Iowa, Illinois, Indiana)

Rock Island Firefighters Association Local #26

Illinois AFL-CIO

Northwest Illinois Building Trades

Quad City - Illinois UAW CAP Council Endorsement Recommendation

Mike Smiddy, Democrat and AFSCME member, will be announcing his run for State Representative in the 71st District Thursday, September 1st 2011.  He will be announcing in Savanna, Rock Falls, and at the UAW hall in East Moline.

"Being able to give back to the communities where I grew up is something that I take great pride in. While working for Lane Evans I came to learn the importance of public service and standing up for those who can not stand up for themselves. This campaign will be dedicated to focusing on those issues that are important to the families living in this district."

Mike Smiddy is a proud and active member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union Local 46 (AFSCME) at the East Moline Correctional Center.  Mike Smiddy served as Treasurer and Executive Board Member in his Union local for two terms.  He was also one of two delegates from AFSCME who served as representatives on the Quad City Federation of Labor.  Mike believes "It is the hard work of organized labor that has contributed to the expansion of the Middle Class in the 20th Century, and I plan to be a voice in the Illinois Legislature for those values and those ideas"

Mike Believes that each generation is supposed to do better than the previous one. If we continue down our current path, our children and grandchildren may not be able to reach their potential because of our failures. The people of Illinois must demand more from our elected representatives.  With the right leadership we will be able to turn our state around. Our citizens need to be able to trust in those that they elect and send to Springfield. They need to have the confidence that the decisions being made by our leaders are done for the rights reasons and will benefit all of us here in the 71st district and throughout the state.

Our campaign will be based on a grassroots organizing effort, focusing on the issues that are important to the Illinois families.  This means ensuring that we have a strong economic development and job retention plan, maintaining worker's rights, and creating sound fiscal policies to help bring down our state's rising budget deficit.  And finally, to ensure the best education for our children, so they will be prepared to compete in our global economy.

Mike will be announcing and talking about these ideas at the following locations Thursday September 1st 2011.

9 AM
Aunt Mannies Café
Savanna Marina
1 Main St.
Savanna IL 

12 AM
Carpenter's Local 790
1008 7th Ave.
Rock Falls, IL 

4PM
UAW LOCAL  865
East Moline IL, 61244