To the Residents of Stratford:
As proud members of Stratford Professional Firefighters International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 998, we have dedicated our lives to protecting this community. Every call we answer day or night demands courage, skill, and sacrifice. Our commitment to public safety is unwavering.
This year, Stratford faces a pivotal choice in leadership. After careful consideration, IAFF Local 998 is proud to endorse Dr. David Chess for Mayor of Stratford.
This decision is grounded in experience. Under the current administration, we have seen a troubling disregard for the well-being of those who risk everything to keep Stratford safe. Most recently, two of our members–Firefighters William Hertzog and Scot Sanford–were terminated while recovering from injuries sustained in the line of duty. These firefighters stepped up when Stratford needed them most. For their sacrifice, they were abandoned.
There was no compassion. No fair path to rehabilitation. No real options—only termination. This pattern is more than administrative; it reflects an alarming lack of respect for the people who protect this community. Stratford residents deserve better and so do its public employees.
Dr. David Chess offers the leadership Stratford needs: a commitment to fairness, collaboration, and accountability. He respects the collective bargaining process and the contract that protects workers’ rights. He understands that public safety is the backbone of a strong community and that those who serve must be treated as partners not as disposable workers.
When you vote this November 4th, remember what is at stake: the safety of our community and the dignity of those who protect it. We need a mayor who values people over politics and stands with Stratford’s Firefighters and their families and never abandons them.
That leader is Dr. David Chess.
Vote for a safer, stronger Stratford. Vote Dr. David Chess for Mayor.
In Solidarity,
Steven H. Michalovic, President
Stratford Professional Firefighters IAFF
