— from Norm & Christy Zimlich —
The upcoming November 7, 2017 election will include two candidates competing for Orcas Fire Commissioner #3, the position which has been held by Barbara Bedell since her 2009 appointment to a vacancy, followed by her 2011 election for a full six-tear term.
Opposing candidate Ed Sutton has publicly stated (The Islands Sounder 10/11/2017) that he is running “to offer the community a choice and a new face on the OIFR Board,” and also that “two terms in any particular position are sufficient.” Actually, Commissioner Bedell has served 1.3 terms and is now running for her second full term; so by Sutton’s own standard, Orcas has not yet enjoyed “sufficient” Bedell service. We agree wholeheartedly.
As for “new faces,” in February 2017 voters just expanded the Orcas Board of Fire Commissioners from three to five Commissioners, and one of the original three positions was recently vacated by a retirement and filled with a new appointed Commissioner. So given the arrival of three new Commissioners already in 2017, this November election needs to secure — not a fourth “new face” — but rather the proven leadership, memory, public confidence, and continuity required on this important Orcas Board in a time of transition. For all of these Barbara Bedell is the ideal candidate.
In her eight years as Orcas Fire Commissioner, Barbara Bedell has proven her teamwork and leadership skills. She served as the lead Commissioner for three of those years, has chaired or attended scores of documented public meetings, has helped to recruit and hire the last two permanent Orcas fire chiefs, has actively helped construct one OIFR five-year plan and eight annual OIFR budgets, and has worked through many difficult OIFR financial, personnel, policy, facility, and equipment decisions. Hers is not just experience, but proven, critical, and specific experience in this important Orcas public post.
In this time of Board transition, Orcas is indeed fortunate to have Barbara Bedell running for re-election to the Orcas Fire Commissioner #3 position. Please join us in voting for BARBARA BEDELL.
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
We totally agree!
We totally agree!!
I agree. It would be unfortunate for the community if we lost Barbara’s expertise and experience with OIFR.
Let me add my support to Barbara Bedell. We need her experience to carry us through the transition from three to five commissioners.
Two tours (or 1 & .3) is enough. Plus, she was part of the group that made it almost impossible to give input at Commissioner’s meeting’s. Great to see that the new commissioners are not afraid of the public, and are going to (3. Reinstate two public comment periods at the BOFC meetings. Thanks!
Barbara Bedell is the longest tenured Commissioner. She has seen the department through difficult times, and helped the department evolve in many ways.
Barbara has always been a supportive and positive influence, even while fighting a serious medical condition; which she has now conquered. (sent with permission)
We now have a five-member Board of Fire Commissioners, each with a diverse wealth of experience.
Sometimes change is necessary; but stability is imperative. Barbara is that stabilizing force, with knowledge of the past and a vision for the future.
I hope you will vote for Barbara Bedell as I have.
Patrick Shepler
Thanks to all who posted for providing a clear sense of the issues and making it easy for me to make an informed decision. I will be voting for Barbara Bedell.