FORT SMITH - The presidents of the Fort Smith Fraternal Order of Police and the Fort Smith Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 33 have released a letter concerning recall efforts against one sitting city director for the city of Fort Smith.
Anthony Parkinson of the FOP and Darrel Clark of the Firefighters Union issues this joint statement this afternoon:
“The Fort Smith Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 39 and the Fort Smith Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 33 have united to lead the effort to recall members of the Fort Smith Board of Directors, beginning with Mike Lorenz - Ward 3. For years we have idly waited for leadership and common sense to return to the board.
The men and women of the police and fire departments, and all city employees, have faithfully served the citizens of our community.
No longer will we sit on the sidelines and tolerate city directors who refuse to do the right thing, who refuse to properly fund public safety, who refuse to properly staff the police department, who don’t keep their promises, who don’t value city employees and who would rather dismantle or circumvent citizen committees/boards when they don’t like a decision.
The time is right for new leadership. The time is right for the community to take a stand.
We stand united and hope the community will support this endeavor by signing the recall petitions that will be circulating shortly.
The men and women of the police and fire departments will never stop risking our lives to protect you and your loved ones.
On behalf of the members of the Fort Smith Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 39 and the Fort Smith Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 33, thank you for the continued support!
Anthony Parkinson
President
Fort Smith Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 39
Darrell Clark
President
Fort Smith Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 33”
