The Danville Firefighters Union has endorsed one of the Danville City Council candidates. The union has endorsed challenger Maureen Belko.

Union President Thomas Collins spoke about why the union is backing Belko.

“So now I’m calling out the citizens, I’m calling out the workers of Danville, I’m calling out the people that live in the county and call Danville home. I’m calling you guys out to come out push and support Maureen Belko for City Council. Maureen with her financial background, her community service, and her leadership she understands that this city isn’t great because of the things that we build. She understands that this city is great because of the people that work here and the people that live here,” said Collins.

Firefighter pay in Danville was a hot topic last year as a study revealed that firefighters in Danville were paid 18% below other cities nearby. Council approved $1.3 million for raises for all city employees. 

“The reason I’m running is because I do not think the city is spending it’s money right,” said Belk, “it jus doesn’t make sense to me how we can be tripling the salaries of our council members. Without a second thought approving multiple multi-million dollar splash pad projects, celebrating record highs in our rainy day fund, but then when it comes to investing in infrastructure, investing in our current assets, investing in our services and our people suddenly that money isn’t available. I think that’s unacceptable.”

Belko is one of nine candidates vying for five City Council seats in the upcoming November election.