By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com
Three candidates are vying for position No. 3 on the board of commissioners for Lewis County Fire District 6. The position is a six-year term on a three-person board overseeing District 6, which serves the rural Chehalis and Adna area.
The top two vote-getters in the Aug. 1 primary election will advance to the general election in November.
Information on the candidates from the Lewis County voters’ guide is below. The candidates appear in the order they are listed in the voter’s guide.
The full voters’ guide and information on the upcoming election can be accessed online at https://elections.lewiscountywa.gov/current-election/.
Gregory Greene (incumbent)
Greene was appointed to the position No. 3 seat in 2021 and is now seeking election to a full six-year term.
“I am a firm believer in transparency and accountability,” Greene wrote in his candidate statement. “As a fire commissioner, it’s important to ensure we are appropriately managing the resources that the taxpayers have entrusted us with. I feel service to the residents of our district and the public we encounter is first priority and fiscal decisions should not be taken lightly.”
A graduate of W.F. West High School and a former Thurston County District 6 firefighter, Greene is a small business owner and an auditor for the Washington state Department of Labor and Industries.
Greene is the vice president of the nonprofit Hero Saver and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He additionally donates his time and resources to several community-based organizations.
Greene can be contacted at 360-507-4456 or electgreggreene@gmail.com.
Ken Cardinale
Cardinale served in the fire service for over 45 years, retiring earlier this year after a combined eight years as fire chief for the City of Chehalis and Lewis County Fire District 6.
“I am asking for your vote as fire commissioner because I want to continue the work I started as fire chief that has improved the service to the citizens,” Cardinale wrote in his candidate statement. “I believe it is essential to serve with honesty and integrity, always putting the citizen's needs first. We need to listen to the community and work in their best interest, speak the truth and do what is right.”
With extensive experience in emergency service delivery, emergency management, budget and labor negotiations, Cardinale said, “I am knowledgeable and experienced with the challenges, history and needs of the district. I have a proven record as a leader, one that has improved service and staffing levels at the district.”
He has additionally improved training, equipment and the volunteer program at District 6 during his tenure, he said.
Cardinale can be contacted at 408-310-1288 or Klcardinale@gmail.com.
Abraham Meyer
Meyer, an Adna resident, began volunteering as a firefighter in 1999 and currently works as a firefighter in Chehalis. He began working at age 7 and now holds a bachelor’s of science degree in natural resource management, with a minor in speech communication.
“The physical and mental wellbeing of our community and our firefighters is my top priority,” Meyer wrote in his candidate statement. “I have extensive fire service, business management and community development experience. I seek office to provide for the strength, stability and safety of District 6. We have the human and financial resources needed to thrive. With vision, integrity and leadership we can continue to improve the level and quality of services provided for our tax dollars.”
Meyer said he believes in fiscal conservancy, transparency and collaborative decision making and values honesty, hard work and personal accountability. His goals include increasing public awareness of and participation in district decisions, building the district’s volunteer base and increasing public safety education in schools.
He can be contacted at abemeyer360@gmail.com.
