Thanks to The Beachcomber, Voice of Vashon and moderator Susan McCabe for hosting the candidate’s forum for the two fire commissioner positions. Watching how these candidates answered questions and interacted with the audience made me proud to be an Islander. All are strong candidates and each would be a fine commissioner.

I’m supporting Joe Ulatoski for Position 4. Joe will bring the 30,000-foot view to the position. He would never get bogged down in the minutia of the operations of the department, but rather would provide a broad and detailed overview of how the department interacts with our community and how it can best function — economically and operationally — to provide for the safety of our Island.

When Joe speaks of a long-range plan, he knows that without a functioning blueprint the fire district can only react to external forces rather than be proactive in working toward more global solutions to the issues that affect our funding, regulation and operations. Joe understands the Island and knows how to work with the county and other government entities. Joe will work with everyone to solve problems before they arise.

Please join me in voting for Joe Ulatoski for fire commissioner Position 4.

— Truman O’Brien