by TOM WROBLESKI
Borough President James Molinaro's closeness to GOP Mayor Michael Bloomberg didn't stop him from picking up the endorsement yesterday of the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA).
"Speaking for myself and the members, we are proud to endorse you," Donald Ruland, the UFA's borough trustee, told Molinaro outside Ladder 80/Engine 157 headquarters, Port Richmond, where they were joined by about two dozen firefighters.
The union has been engaged in sometimes heated contract negotiations with City Hall.
Ruland praised Molinaro for giving the FDNY new firefighting equipment, including fireboats, all-terrain vehicles to fight brush fires and an emergency response vehicle.
Molinaro, Ruland said, had also sought to have personnel placed at the Rossville fire station, and had upgraded the facilities at Rescue 5/Engine 160 headquarters in Concord.
Molinaro said it was his obligation to provide the best equipment possible.
"A lot of people are alive today because of what you do," Molinaro said. "We're fortunate to have you."
Molinaro, a Conservative who runs with Republican support, said he would speak on the union's behalf with Bloomberg when appropriate.
"When I have the opportunity for it, and it's not out of order, I will do so," said Molinaro. "I feel very strongly about our uniformed personnel, but I'm not a labor negotiator."
Ruland said Molinaro had been very supportive of firefighters, "and would like to see us achieve a fair contract."
Molinaro's Democratic opponent, John Luisi, said labor unions typically back incumbents.
"We'll take our pitch directly to the firefighters and see how happy they are," said Luisi, whose brother is a retired firefighter. "The ones I've spoken with are ready for a change in Borough Hall."
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