While he was the top vote-getter in the primary election for position 3 on the board of commissioners for Lewis County Fire District 6 (LCFD4), Ken Cardinale announced this month he is withdrawing from the race.
The deadline for candidates to formally withdraw has long passed, so Cardinale’s name will still appear beside his opponent’s on the November ballot. If elected, Cardinale would need to resign, at which point the board would appoint a commissioner to fill the vacant position.
“Things have changed in my life that will not allow me to fulfill the six-year term that the commissioner position requires, so it would not be right to continue as a candidate. The safety of the citizens is far too important and (they) need a fire commissioner that has the time to dedicate to ensure the public is properly protected,” Cardinale said in an email to a Chronicle reporter on Oct. 5.
The remaining candidate in the race, Gregory Greene, opted to send The Chronicle responses to the five-question questionnaire that was sent to both candidates. Greene was asked to keep his responses to about 75 to 100 words per question.
Responses have been lightly edited for spelling and grammar.
Gregory Greene
Can you talk about your background and how your experience qualifies you for this position?
I am currently serving as a fire commissioner for Lewis County Fire District 6. Prior to this appointment, I was a firefighter in Thurston County. I have professional experience with auditing statutory compliance.
Why did you decide to run for this position?
Giving back to my community has always been a passion of mine. I fell in love with the fire service, and serving as a commissioner allows me to enjoy both passions.
What, in your opinion, are the primary issues facing LCFD6 and how do you intend to address them if you’re elected?
Positioning the district to best be able to adapt to the growth ahead of us. The nationwide decline in volunteer firefighters. Moving forward, I feel it’s vital to be able to allocate enough resources and support to both areas in order to ensure a beneficial outcome to our efforts. This should not be looked upon solely as a financial issue. Providing the proper support and opportunities to staff members and residents of our district is crucial to the success. Fiscal responsibility plays a big factor as well. The district needs to be able to capitalize on the resources we currently have and maximize the investment the taxpayers of our district have entrusted us with.
What sets you apart from your opponent in this race?
The pathways that brought me here are quite different from my opponent. I was born and raised locally and have always viewed our community as home. My family is actively involved in our community, by choice. We have a vested interest to ensure our community thrives, not just for me personally but for my children and those who also call this home.
Is there anything else that voters should know about you?
I strive to ensure service to our residents is my No. 1 goal. That means I have to be willing to support creative ways to maximize our capabilities as a district. I say support because this position is not about what I can do. It’s about what we can do as a team. That includes district staff as well as residents of our district.
