Support for Jim Gerlach

This is a Red November Initiative Post!

Fire chiefs endorse Gerlach ADAM CIRUCCI, Staff Writer 09/09/2006

WEST WHITELAND -- The Chester County Fire Chiefs Association endorsed Republican Congressman Jim Gerlach, of West Pikeland, for re-election in the 6th District.

But Democratic challenger Lois Murphy said that Gerlach has not done all he could for first responders, and she would do more to keep residents safe.

Glenn Allison, president of the Chester County Fire Chiefs Association, announced the endorsement Friday morning outside the West Whiteland Fire Company in Exton.

He emphasized that it was the first time in the association'’s history that it made a political endorsement.

"Since his days in the state Senate, he has been a strong supporter of volunteer firefighters. When we needed him, he was there," Allison said. "We consider him not only our congressman, but our friend."

He pointed to Gerlach'’s support in establishing the Chester County Hero Fund, which aids the families of first responders killed or injured in the line of duty. In addition, Allison said, Gerlach has been pivotal in obtaining grants for new equipment and funds for the county'’s planned public-safety training facility.

Allison said the vote to endorse Gerlach was nearly unanimous by the association'’s approximately 150 members, made up of past and current chiefs from throughout the county.

There are approximately 4,000 firefighters countywide.

Gerlach said Friday that he was honored to be the first to receive the group'’s endorsement.

"As we get closer to the fifth anniversary of 9/11, our attention is focused on our first responders and firefighters in this county," he said. "Their commitment to our community is a wonderful thing."

But Murphy, through a spokeswoman, said Gerlach could have done more to support emergency services in the district.

"Throughout his two decades as a career politician, Jim Gerlach has failed to support first responders and has voted twice (while in the state Senate) against providing $5 million for volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania," said Amy Bonitatibus, communications director for the Murphy campaign.

In Congress, Murphy will fight to ensure that first responders have the resources they need to do their jobs, she said.

"Pennsylvania'’s first responders deserve more than a part-time supporter in Congress," Bonitatibus said.

Murphy and Gerlach are embroiled in one of the most heated and expensive congressional campaigns in the state.

In 2004, Gerlach fended off Murphy'’s challenge with 160,348 votes to her 153,977, according to state election results.

In 2002, Gerlach beat Dan Wofford, again with about 51 percent of the vote.

The 6th District includes the affluent Main Line suburbs, struggling former industrial towns, working farms and business corridors along routes 202 and 100 in northern and central Chester County, southern Montgomery County and eastern Berks County. The district also includes a precinct in Lehigh County.

There are 52,057 registered Democrats, 83,271 registered Republicans and 27,282 other registered voters in the district, according to the Office of Voter Services.

To contact staff writer Adam Cirucci, send an e-mail to acirucci@dailylocal.com.

The Trekmedic Adds: Miss Murphy is running the classic '06 campaign: lotsa rhetoric and opposition to established legislators, but short on substantiative plans to do them better. Give it up, Lois! In 6 years, you haven't convinced the people of the PA-6th District you have a better solution!