I support the team of Knudson, Gaylord, Ehrmantraut

||| FROM DON STILLMAN |||

I’m optimistic that Orcas residents are close to ending the turmoil within our Fire Commission that has lasted several years. Finally, we are on the verge of restoring transparency and civility at Orcas Fire as the Nov. 7 election seems likely to bring much needed change.

I support a team of Toni Knudson, Randy Gaylord, and Brian Ehrmantraut who, if elected, would constitute a majority on the Fire Commission. Toni, Randy, and Brian each have committed to listening to Orcas voters and responding to our concerns. That has not happened, sadly, with the current commissioners, perhaps because four of the five of them were appointed, rather than elected.

With three out of every four Orcas primary voters rejecting the proposed fire levy that would increase our taxes by 82 percent, those unelected commissioners put that exact same levy on our November ballot once again.

Toni Knudson deserves credit for leading the opposition to that ill-advised fire levy last summer. That took courage, but voters proved Toni right. Toni strongly supports a new, better levy to be developed with the broad input of Orcas residents and our great fire fighters, EMTs, and paramedics.

Ehrmantraut and Gaylord are also committed to a revised levy.

I’ve been impressed with Toni Knudson’s skills as a business person—building Buck Bay Shellfish into a well-loved eating destination for locals and tourists alike. Toni’s business has created jobs for 40-50 islanders and she takes in revenue in half a year that is greater than the fire department’s annual budget. She’s got an accounting degree and obvious management skills we need on the Fire Commission.

Many of us know Toni’s great reputation as a problem solver in her past role as a building inspector on Orcas. She worked well with property owners, builders, realtors, and others during those years. Toni Knudson is a good listener with strong people skills and an ability to work well with others who hold different views.

I hope you’ll consider voting for Toni Knudson, Randy Gaylord, and Brian Ehrmantraut for the Board of Fire Commissioners.