Vashon Island Fire & Rescue has had its ups and downs, and I believe that the current board and staff reflect a fine balance: community-minded while also safeguarding the institution itself.

Balance is the key, and for this reason, I whole-heartedly support Candy McCullough. She has been a volunteer with VIFR for close to 25 years and has served in about every capacity: firefighter, instructor, supervisor, volunteer officer. And she knows the union issues, as well, as a career firefighter with Boeing. She has been a quiet and effective leader, keeping a cool head in difficult situations both at Boeing and VIFR. I was very pleased that she was selected to replace me. I could not and cannot imagine anyone better.

I also endorse Ron Turner. I worked with Ron on the fire board for five years. Is he the easiest person to get along with? Absolutely not: He can be disrespectful, sarcastic and intransigent. However, I have seen a lot of what he advocated for privately and publicly come to fruition: the addition of volunteers who may not do any actual firefighting but who provide support for those who do; shifts of staff and volunteers working together to build an esprit de corps; lieutenants or captains responsible for every shift. In retrospect, all of these seem obvious, but it took Ron pushing behind the scenes for these to happen (and a fellow “Coastie” in our fire chief to translate Ron’s ideas into reality).

We need both Candy and Ron, and I urge you to vote to retain them. VIFR and the Vashon community will continue to be well-served.

— Gayle Sommers