So of you know that I have declared for my county's board.
I am currently a trustee for our fire protection district. That is also an elected position.
I have been a village board member in the past. I have also been elected to lead a regional firefighter association in the past.
I was wondering if there are any others out there that has served or is serving in a political office?
That includes firefighter unions, other unions, municipal, etc.
Let me here from you.
TCSS.
Art
Art, who isn't a politician in this day and age? If you want to get things done there is a certain amount of hand shaking and back slapping involved.
I'll share my official political short list with you:
City auditor
Borough council (least favorite, but most exciting)
County housing authority
County EMS Council
I enjoyed each one for different reasons, but they were all just like the fire service: suspicious at first, but once you proved yourself everyone reached a comfort factor rather quickly. After following your blogs and comments I think that many of the abilities that you have developed over the course of your career will transfer very well to the political arena.
Yes; I saw that Tiger entered the arena.
However; he has not yet contacted me to head his campaign towards a successful conclusion.
I know some things!
TCSS.
Art
Peter:
I have been saying that for years.
You cannot be a member of a fire department and not be involved with politics.
Most of us have been involved in one way or another since high school.
Being involved in sports at my high school had political overtones, although not as visible as governmental politics.
Politics is in every facet of our lives, however obtuse or ambiguous.
We cannot escape it.
TCSS.
Art
One of our lieutenants is an elected city council member in a nearby jurisdiction. He occasionally has to take a vacation day or work a shift swap to make council meetings, but so far he's done a pretty good job of managing both roles. You have to be really motivated to be successful in both of those roles, and he is.
The National Fire Academy teaches that, in effect, the highest rank that you can hold and still be part of the fire department is deputy chief. Once you make chief, you've left the fire department and moved into the city's senior management group. At that level, you're either elected or you report to an elected boss or council, which means that you will be dealing with political concerns on a daily basis.
Unfortunately as a federal employee I am not allowed by law to run for public office, even at the local level.
That said I have been approached by several in Corpus Christi to run for City Council. (oh the skeletons in my closet) If not for the regulation against my running for office I would very much be involved in the process.
I am a Union stew' so I do hold at least a very basic office in the Union.
Art...I spent the 2006 election season doing political ads for most of the Parker County Republicans. (there really are no dems in Parker County, so the primaries are the elections there) If you need any campaign ads done, let me know, Id be happy to help a brother out.