Brown understands the issues, current commissioner believes

Published 12:56 pm Tuesday, October 27, 2015

As you likely by know, I will be moving to Vermont later this year or early next year and therefore gave up my seat on the VIFR fire board. I wish I could continue to serve, as the issues that will confront the fire district and the commissioners in the next six years are challenging. But I cannot stay on, and therefore I want to leave my seat in the best of hands — those of Brigitte Schran Brown. She gets it.

I have worked with Brigitte for a number of years. I know her well. She is more than qualified to be a fire commissioner. Brigitte has shown energy and commitment to the fire district as is exemplified by the awards that she has received, including the Chief’s Award, which the highest honor that can be bestowed on a member of the department. And Brigitte earned it.

Our island faces critical times:

1) The transition of the medics to South King County Medic One will be accomplished early next year. Once that occurs, the district has the opportunity to restructure how it does business, and that will require a fundamental understanding of how our district works. Brigitte gets it.

2) We also face serious financing issues. The district has not asked for a lid lift since Vashon first passed the permanent levy of $1.50 per $1,000. The effective rate of revenue is now $1 per $1,000. We have not kept up with inflation. Brigitte gets it.

3) The Medic One levy, which for the past 30 years has been a county-wide levy, may not be reauthorized in 2019. This will leave Vashon in a very vulnerable position. Brigitte gets it.

Vashon needs commissioners who can work not only within our community to direct the future of the fire district, but also with King County EMS (Brigitte is an EMT and knows emergency medical response), our sister fire districts and fellow commissioners to help protect Vashon from the changes that certainly will be happening in King County. Brigitte gets it.

I urge your support for Brigitte for fire commissioner.

— Rex Stratton