Sisters & Brothers,

Everyone should be proud of our efforts in the April 7^th, 2009 election.

Our friend Doug Block was unsuccessful in his bid for Mayor but I believe we will be hearing more from him in the very near future.

This morning on the Ken Decostner show on WNTA I called and congratulated the Mayor on behalf of the fire fighters on his re-election.  I expressed looking forward to working with him for the next four years on the issues that face Rockford.  We also sent a nice floral arrangement in congratulations to his office.

A list of our friends who had successful bids for office:

1^st   Ward                   Neutral

2^nd  Ward                   No Endorsement

3^rd   Ward                   Doug Mark                            R

5^th   Ward                   No Endorsement      

4^th   Ward                   Carl Wasco                            D

6^th   Ward                   Lenny Jacobson                    D        

7^th   Ward                   Ann Thompson-Kelly           D

8^th   Ward                   Nancy Johnson                      D

9^th   Ward                   Bill Timm                               R

10^th Ward                   Frank Beach                          R

11^th Ward                   Karen Elyea                           D

13^th Ward                   Linda McNeely                      D

14^th Ward                   Bill Robertson                        D

Rockford Township Highway Commissioner        Dan Conness              D

Rockford Township Clerk                                      Jeff Holt                     D

Pecatonica Village President                                 Shawn Connors

Owen Township Highway Commissioner              Charles Barnes

Sincerely,

E.J. Dilonardo

IAFF Local 413, President

Citizens of Rockford and Rockford Fire Fighters,

The leadership of the City Fire Fighters Union Local 413 will continue to act responsibly and work diligently  in defense of Public Safety and Fire Fighter Safety.

We will continue to do be an advocate for the Citizens of Rockford.

We will not be distracted by politically motivated charges that attempt to divert the publics attention from our issues.

I remember being handed a child that had drowned in the family pool.  The mother did not ask me where the fire fighters lived or how many fire fighters were on the truck.

She wanted us to do our job and try to save their child. 

They trusted we had the correct equipment, the proper training and the appropriate number of personnel with the heart, soul and backbone to do our job.

I promise to both the citizens and the fire fighters that we will stay focused and that we will not give in and we will not give up in our efforts to protect our community and the fire fighters.

Sincerely,

E.J. 

·         Saturday, April 4, 2009

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. POLITICS

Stimulus Money Weighs on Illinois Mayoral Race

Scarcity of Direct Funds Forces Incumbent, Who Fashions Himself as a Local Obama, to Scale Back Big Projects

By AMY MERRICK and ROGER THUROW

Excerpt from full article.

Opponents say Mr. Morrissey hasn't cultivated the necessary clout in Springfield -- the state capital -- or Washington to reap stimulus benefits.

"When he first took office he went downstate [to Springfield] and said, 'This is what we deserve,' " says Doug Block, the Democratic candidate viewed by the Morrissey campaign as its toughest challenger.

At his campaign headquarters in a strip mall, Mr. Block tells supporters over sandwiches and soda, "I'm not going to go to Obama and say 'Give me the money.' I'm going to work through the process and build relationships and ... ask, 'How can I bring back as much money as possible for the people of Rockford?'"

The police and fire unions, angered by what they see as the mayor's heavy-handed negotiating over wages and staffing, have lined up behind Mr. Block, 55 years old, who's on leave from his job as the police union's top negotiator.

"Doug has good people skills, he builds relationships," says E.J. Dilonardo, president of the firefighters union. "For Morrissey to say he has relationships with federal and state officials is like me saying I have a relationship with Kevin Costner because I watched his last movie."

Mr. Larry Morrissey, Mayor                          VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL

City of Rockford                                                April 2nd, 2009

425 East State Street

Rockford, Illinois 61104

SUBJECT: Photographing of 413 Members

The Union is concerned for the safety of the members of City Fire Fire Fighters Union Local 413 and the difficulties being created as they provide services to the citizens of Rockford. 

In my first letter to you dated March 28, 2009, after explaining the situation, I informed you I expected the photographing, following, harassing of the fire fighters to cease immediately yet it appears to continue as recent as 4/1/2009. 

Mr. Hayes stated there is confusion in the administration as it pertains to persons in city marked vehicles perceived to be monitoring fire department activities. 

Couple this confusion with the disparaging and threatening remarks made to the fire fighters by a high ranking person in your campaign the night of the Coronado debate I believe there is justification for great concern.  

Mr. Hayes stated the city was unaware of any certified activities but speculated it could be an antennae study by the Information Technology (IT) department of the City of Rockford.  I have requested a statement from the IT Director for clarification of the study and a cooperative review of any and all pictures acquired.  As of this writing I have received no response.  If this referenced study is in progress and I am expected to accept the explanation provided I am compelled to request you provide me the location of city owned or operated towers on Logli’s Supermarket on Rockton and at Leving’s Lake. 

For the benefit of the City of Rockford and the citizens, the Fire Department and the fire fighters this harassing, disruptive action should cease immediately.  It is counterproductive, threatening and makes it even more difficult to provide fire department services  while on emergency calls, non-emergency calls for service and during training exercises.

If there is a problem discerned by your administration regarding the fire service it should be communicated to me as President of the Fire Fighters Union versus the undue pressure these types of gorilla tactics are creating.

You personally have authority and control over city workers and campaign workers. Barring a reasonable justification for these actions I once again respectfully request that you direct city workers and or campaign workers to cease these actions immediately.

I would ask that you immediately respond to me regarding this matter.

E.J. Dilonardo, President