LETTER: VIFR needs support, McCullough can bring stability and knowledge to board

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Most people on Vashon realize the “no taxes” ploy used by our current federal government administration is an empty promise. Want service? We have to pay for it. We support the levy and intend to vote for Candy McCullough for the Vashon Island Fire & Rescue board.

We need to support Vashon’s fire department. We have all watched it struggle over the years. Getting new board members grounded in the actual realities of running a fire department here takes time and has fostered fights and negativity in the past. Finally the powers that be have smartened up and are asking for what VIFR needs to keep us all safe and healthy. We can’t afford a contentious “break in” period for newbies now. McCullough’s decades as a firefighter and EMT, teaching CERT classes in the early years and being a union representative for firefighters will all continue to help our board to make better decisions. Her current position as president of the national organization of volunteer fire departments gives us more access to the combined resources, experience and legal expertise of communities like ours around the country.

The fire department doesn’t need fixing. It needs funding and our support. Do your part.

— Kim Nelson