CDA, Nampa firefighter money helps fund Lewiston campaigns

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Story Published: Nov 2, 2009 at 11:40 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 2, 2009 at 11:40 PM PDT

By Matt Loveless

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LEWISTON - As the campaigning wraps up, a couple of Lewiston city council candidates are making that final push with a little outside help.

According to financial records, firefighter unions from two cities outside of Lewiston each donated $1,000 to two candidates in Lewiston's 8-person race.

The Coeur d'Alene Firefighters Union is listed as the biggest contributor to Kevin Poole's campaign, while incumbent Dennis Ohrtman is getting $1,000 from the Nampa union. Lewiston's union donated $1,000 of it's own money to Brad Cannon's campaign.

Local union Political Action Committee Treasurer Chris Jacks said they weren't asking for a handout.

"Firefighters across the state of Idaho meet annually and discuss issues," said Jacks. "This year, the City of Lewiston was brought up because of political issues they have with public safety."

Local 1773 has been critical of candidates, and current councilors, Jim Kluss and Doug Havens. Monday, reiterating they're concerned with public safety if the two are re-elected. Jacks said the financial help from Nampa and Coeur d'Alene simply shows the concern from their brotherhood.

"As firefighters, we're pleased to see that other firefighters recognized the need for change in our community, and we hope their contributions will help," said Jacks.

Poole said he first learned about the donation after an open house as he was counting his contributions, and admits getting a check from a city more than 100 miles away was strange. Poole, who has run two successful campaigns for city council said "It was a first for me. I just wanted to make sure I didn't break any election laws."

When asked how that might look to voters in Lewiston, local union representative Dave Stradley said "When public safety is threatened, we do whatever it takes."

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