Two aim for fire commissioner seat

Gary Bradley Gary Bradley and Don Timmerman would both like to spend the next six years as one of Camano Island’s fire commissioners for District 1.

Bradley, 50, the incumbent, is finishing his second term, and said his experience in the fire district will help him serve island residents. Timmerman, 66, said he feels a fresh set of eyes on the commission would benefit the public.

The commission sets policy and pays the bills.

Bradley is a self-employed general contractor, and does most of his work on the island.

Timmerman was a public school teacher for about 31 years, and taught in the Edmonds School District. He has been a real estate agent for the last 12 years. Timmerman works for John L. Scott, and was one of the owners in Camano Properties and Stanwood Properties before the business closed last year.

Bradley has been involved in the fire department for about 30 years. He started as a volunteer firefighter on the island in 1979 when Camano had fire districts one, four and six instead of the current one. He was the volunteer chief of the district one station from 1986 to 1993, before the districts merged.

Don Timmerman “I feel ownership of the district of some sort,” he said. “I think I’m making a difference.”

Both Bradley and Timmerman are longtime area residents. Bradley graduated from Stanwood High School and has lived here for 36 years. Timmerman has lived on Camano Island since 1950.

The fire department is facing a difficult time trying to provide services with less revenue, Timmerman said. He experienced similar situations while he was a public school teacher, and the district failed to pass levies.

Timmerman said he is skilled with both budgeting and bargaining. His business experience would be an asset.

“I’m a planner,” he said. “I short-term, long-term plan.”

Bradley said he is familiar with the area and the issues the fire district faces.

Currently, Camano Island Fire and Rescue is contracted to provide ambulance services in the city of Stanwood. The city is considering continuing the contract, Bradley said.

In addition, the district recently asked voters to pass two levies. The renewal of the emergency medical services (EMS) levy passed, but the fire levy lid lift failed.

The district will need to ask voters to pass a levy lid lift again soon, Bradley said. State law limits the district’s revenue growth at 1 percent unless voters approve a raise.

However, expenses are not limited at 1 percent, Bradley said. In 2010, the district’s health care costs will increase by 24 percent.

In about a year, the district’s expenses to maintain service will exceed revenue, Bradley said. The district can increase revenue or cut costs by decreasing service.

Camano Island Fire and Rescue is currently in a transition, as the organization attempts to meet the increased need caused by more permanent residents, Timmerman said.

Timmerman wants to improve the commission’s communication to the public. People want to hear more about the decisions the commission makes, he said.

“I think that it is important that communication is opened up with the public,” he said.

However, Bradley said Timmerman has not been to any commission meetings since he declared his candidacy.

Timmerman said that was technically true. Still, he said he attended commission meetings previously, but has not attended one since he declared his candidacy. He felt that he shouldn’t get involved until after the election.

Bradley said he has been a good steward of taxpayer money as commissioner. He is committed to helping the district provide the best and most cost-effective fire and EMS service.

Timmerman said he hopes to bring new skills and energy to the commission. He sees the seat as a way to give back to a community that has given him so much.

“I felt like I should volunteer to do something for the community,” he said.

Staff Reporter Kristi Pihl: 629-8066 ext. 125 or kpihl@scnews.com.