||| FROM BRIAN EHRMANTRAUT |||
I strongly endorse and recommend Patrick Shepler for Fire Commissioner. I believe Patrick is well positioned to help craft a path forward for the Fire District that honors and respects the entire island community.
I have worked with him over the years at Orcas Island Fire & Rescue, where I have found him to be a superb teacher and mentor. His positive attitude and energy is infectious. He is skilled, knowledgeable, and ethical in his actions. I believe he has well-earned the respect of the volunteer and professional membership of OIFR.
I also have had the pleasure of serving with him on the Eastsound Water Users Association board, where he consistently demonstrated skills in consensus-building, understanding of complex regulatory issues, moral decision making, long-term planning and budgeting. He also showed that he understands the proper oversight and governance roles of a Board or Commission, and the dangers of overstepping those roles.
Please join me in voting for Patrick Shepler in the upcoming election.
I agree with Brian’s statement. Patrick Shepler is a needed addition to the Fire/EMS commission.
There’s something needed presently, I don’t think any logical free thinking individual would disagree.
There’s a reason there’s conflict within Our Community’s Fire/Ems District. The current Commission, good or bad has to own that and deal with it. It’s the community responsibility though, when elections are present to act, that’s their empowerment at that point and time or wait, hope and see what transpires until the next election cycle.
Things are not ok, Moral is down across the spectrum of individuals serving. I say this based on the outreach I’ve personally received from individuals who have reached out.
Why are they reaching out, what is the tone present that has such an anxiety culture present. I Look to the Commission to set the Tone.. I have experienced the best leaders lead by example, With clear transparent action.
Patrick Shepler in my 12 years of Community Service as past Fire/EMS Commissioner was engaged. With many examples of leadership from Training, implementing new programs leading financial review studies for Annual Budgets and Community Outreach. His strength of passion for his community is know by his actions.
I welcome this opportunity in this election cycle to bring that forward to our District.
The Commission is tasked with Governance, our collective community is tasked with electing those to serve to achieve good governance.
Please join me voting Patrick Shepler in for what I believe will be a fair representation of Conscious building sound Governance.