Firefighters back Mitch Panciuk for mayor
BELLEVILLE – Belleville’s firefighters are endorsing Mitch Panciuk for mayor in the coming municipal election.
The announcement of the endorsement was made by the Belleville Professional Firefighters Association Local 497 Tuesday morning.
Association president Jim Donovan told QNet News that the endorsement comes about as a result of the firefighters’ interactions with Panciuk over the years. Panciuk has been a city councillor since 2014.
“Over the last few years we’ve got to have a decent relationship with Mr. Panciuk,” Donovan said. “We’ve got some common goals.”
One is working to help underprivileged children, he said.
“I have to say we don’t agree on everything, but he’s always been respectful. He’s always been approachable, and I don’t think you can really ask for more than that from the person leading your city.”
The association did not endorse a mayoral candidate in the 2014 election, but did in the the the election before that, Donovan said.
“We believe we need change within the city, and that this is the time to make it. And we want to effect change from the top down,” he said.
Ultimately, he said, it came down to the issue of having a voice.
“Right now we have really no approach to anybody at the top end of council. There’s just not been a relationship there – there’s not been one ever provided. We believe that through communication with Mitch we’ll be able to get our voice heard.”
The election will be held Oct. 22. Panciuk is running against Egerton Boyce, Jodie Jenkins and incumbent Taso Christopher for the mayor’s post.
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