— from Patrick Shepler —
I am writing today to provide my support to Greg Ayers for Port Commissioner. I have worked with Greg over the past seven years. I’m privileged to know him as a firefighter, fellow healthcare provider, community member, and a friend.
Greg is collaborative and an effective communicator. He is compassionate and understands people’s needs. He listens and takes action based on data, not just first impressions or emotions.
As a volunteer Firefighter/EMT, Greg has first-hand experience in meeting the challenge of transporting critical patients during inclement weather; and the use of the Port to facilitate EMS response; or to support State agencies providing fire suppression, as was needed for the 2019 Moran Park Fire.
Greg’s work with Fire Rescue also gives him a greater understanding of the Port’s role in the event of a disaster. If elected, he will factor these needs into future decisions to ensure critical port operations are maintained in a reliable, efficient and cost-efficient manner.
Greg sees the entire picture. He has a keen awareness of the broader, holistic community needs. Greg understands the challenge of balancing fiscal responsibilities and operational needs in a highly-regulated industry. For example, he has been an integral part of numerous medical device implementations world-wide.
Finally, Greg understands that our unique way of life is something special. I believe he will work diligently to protect it. These are essential attributes and values for a Port Commissioner.
Please join me in voting for Greg Ayers as our Port Commissioner.
I have a lot of respect for Patrick Sheppler as a dedicated and skilled EMT, but I disagree on his assessment and endorsement of Greg Ayers for Port Commissioner. Protecting the aviation industry is an important facet of the job of Port Commissioner since we have taken grant monies and have to promote growth, but there are also equal and opposite, and long neglected, duties of protecting safety on the ground, the voting taxpayers, the environment, and the rural character of our island, as well the overwhelming wishes of a community forced to live in a UGA and housing that has been here before the airport ever was, and wanting to protect our rural character. We need equal consideration and representation.
I want someone skillful in listening to all “sides” of issues, communicating, collaborating, and getting one’s ego out of the way. Non-EMTs and firefighters are equally qualified for the job of Port Commissioner, and we need balanced community representation. That is why I’m voting for Mia Kartagainer. I feel she will offer the most level headed and intelligent representation and understanding of the many complex issues the Port now faces while we try to deal with a new Master Plan that for the first time proposes and includes actually MOVING Mount Baker Road, and major industrial projects that will forever change our rural character.