Firefighters’ union chief not sending out fliers

Vancouver Firefighter Mark Johnston, president of the Vancouver Firefighters’ Union IAFF Local 452, isn’t going door to door to promote the Affordable Care Act and President Barack Obama’s immigration policy.

But according to the phone calls and copies of fliers that Johnston has been receiving, somebody identifying himself as the president of the Vancouver firefighters’ union has been making the rounds in at least the Lincoln neighborhood and McLoughlin Heights. One flier says the union supports Obama’s health care reform, while the other discusses how the union backs the president on immigration.

“It’s all very strange,” Johnston said Monday, after receiving two more calls from residents.

The fliers are signed by a “Buzz Kennington.” One flier was even left at the residence of a Vancouver firefighter.

Johnston said he told Jeff Kipp, president of Vancouver Police Officers Guild, about the fliers but knows police have more important things to do than track down someone who is leaving fliers on porches.

For the record, the union hasn’t taken any position on the ACA or immigration.

Even when the union does take a stand, such as when it endorses a candidate for mayor or city council, Johnston doesn’t go door to door to spread the word.