FRANKLIN-The Franklin Professional Firefighters and Medics Association wants some new faces in city government.

The group has endorsed three candidates – including two challengers to City Council incumbents – in the May 6 election.

The association endorsed Ellis Crum for mayor over incumbent Jim Councill and Benny Burgess for the Ward 2 council seat over incumbent Charles Wrenn. In Ward 1, where incumbent Joe Scislowicz is not seeking-re-election, the group endorsed Dan Hoctor over Barry Cheatham.

In a written announcement, association President Michael Mavredes said the endorsements were made after careful deliberation and voting.

&uot;The professional firefighters association will stand by those who we feel will stand by with us,&uot; Mavredes said. &uot;We will be with our candidates every step of the way with our wholehearted support, and we encourage all citizens to be active in the upcoming election and find out as much as they can about all of the candidates and come out and vote.&uot;

Mavredes said the endorsed candidates &uot;represent the best interests for the improvement of the city as a whole, and they have a stated commitment to keep our first responders some of the best equipped and prepared as can be responsibly achieved.&uot;