By Travis Gettys
Enquirer contributor

NEWPORT - A challenger for City Commission has the backing of the local firefighters' union, the first time in at least 15 years the group has endorsed a candidate in any race.

Newport Firefighters Union Local 45 announced Tuesday that it has endorsed Jeff Ballard for one of four seats up for grabs in November's City Commission contest.

Ballard "is the first candidate, elected official or city leader who has expressed a sincere desire to establish an open dialogue with our membership," said Mike Volz, the union's secretary-treasurer. A city firefighter for 15 years, Volz said the union has endorsed no candidate since he's been there.

Volz said union membership extended the endorsement after speaking with Ballard at fund-raisers and other events, because the candidate was blocked from speaking to the union at its regular meeting, held at the firehouse.

Fire Chief Larry Atwell, who is not part of the union, told firefighters they'd have to hear from Ballard somewhere else, saying that candidates couldn't address the union in the fire station.

"I thought I'd made it a policy (that) we don't like politics in the fire station," said Atwell, adding that he found out after he barred Ballard that a candidate for jailer had addressed the union several years ago.

"I don't care what they talk about outside the building, (but) politics and religion should not be discussed in the fire station," Atwell said.

Volz said Bamlard appeals to union members who believe there isn't enough public debate on some issues, citing the recent retirement and subsequent rehiring of several veteran police officers.

Ballard was one of only a few members of the public left when city commissioners voted on the measure, following an end-of-meeting, closed-door executive session, and Volz said the candidate's comments impressed some firefighters.

"People are liking what phey're hearing," Volz said.

This is the second major endorsement for Ballard. He gained the backing last month of former Newport economic director Laura Long, now executive director of the Cincinnati Business Committee.

"This helps energize my campaign," Ballard said. "To get an endorsement from a group that hasn't endorsed a candidate in over a decade, that's a big deal."