For the first time, members of the Albany firefighters' union are endorsing candidates in the November general election.

Endorsements are for candidates in the City Council races, the Linn County commissioner's race, and in the governor's contest.

"For us, becoming politically active ensures that our firefighters and the community's safety are a priority," said Jason Katzenstein, president of Albany Firefighters Local 845.

He said the association's elected, five-member board came up with the endorsements after interviewing candidates by telephone. There are 62 members in the association.

"We picked those who stood out on the issues of safety and responsible growth in Albany," Katzenstein said.

For the city of Albany:

For mayor, current councilor Doug Killin over challenger Loyd Henion; in Ward I, Dick Olsen over challengers Dan Bedore and Ray Hilts; in Ward II, no recommendation; in Ward III, Wendy Kirbey over Edgar Hahn Jr. and incumbent Bessie Johnson.

Katzenstein said the board will "abstain" from commenting on why there is no recommendation in Ward III, where incumbent Ralph Reid Jr. is running against Charley Smith.

For Linn County commissioner, the association prefers challenger Democrat Glenda Fleming, a former member of the Albany City Council, to Republican incumbent John Lindsey.

In the race for governor, the association has endorsed Gov. Ted Kulongoski over all of the other candidates.

"We like him because of his views on keeping the PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) intact, his advocacy for passing legislation to protect firefighters who get a work-related illness such as cancer, and his commitment to make safety and staffing mandatory subjects for bargaining," Katzenstein said.