Meet Keith Davies, Candidate for Key Pen Fire Commissioner

This is part of a series of candidate profiles Patch will be bringing you for the 2011 elections. Keith Davies is running unopposed for the Commissioner Position 5 in the November election.

Candidate Profile Information:

What is your full, legal name? 

Keith M Davies

Where do you work and what is your job title?

, Firefighter

Age: 50

Where were you born? Tacoma, WA.

Where do you live now and how long have you lived there?

Moved to the Key Peninsula in 1997.

Spouse or domestic partner if any:

N/A

Children:

2 sons, Christopher, age 23 and Alex, age 18.

Education (include graduation date(s), if any):

Peninsula High School graduate, 1979

Some College

Military Service (include year(s) of discharge, if any): None.

Memberships and affiliations with clubs and other organizations: None currently.

Have you or a business you owned (or had principal interest in ever filed bankruptcy? No

As an adult, have you been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation? No

Campaign Information:

Website: None

Email address: unfire5@gmail.com

Phone number: 253-307-1766

Campaign manager: Keith Davies

Campaign manager contact information: PO Box 787 Wauna, WA 98395

Previous Elected Office(s):

Elected:

None

Other campaigns for public office:

None

This Campaign:

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

I have watched the reputation and confidence of our local fire department deteriorate over the last decade. I believe the primary cause was distention amongst members of the Board of Fire Commissioners. I have 32 years of fire service experience and believe I can use that experience to help rebuild the organization and regain public trust and confidence.

What will be your top three priorities if you get elected and why?

Priority 1 is to function as an effective and respectful member of the Board of Fire Commissioners in order to rebuild public trust and confidence.

Priority 2 is to find ways to educate the public regarding the financial and operational challenges the fire department faces today. 

Priority 3 is to find ways to increase staffing levels of the fire department. In regards to the last 2 priorities, the only way to deliver service to the citizens is with staffing. Increases in required training for firefighters have negatively affected volunteer firefighting, making it very difficult to acquire and retain volunteers. Funding has made it difficult to hire career firefighters. My goal is to educate the members of our community so that when they are choosing whether or not to support a levy measure, they understand the full affect of that vote.

What sets you apart from the other candidates and/or previous office holders?

Being a resident of the Key Peninsula, I have a vested interest in the service our fire department can deliver. I have watched the deterioration of the public trust and support and have seen the affect that has had on the ability to provide service to the citizens. With 32 years of fire service experience, I believe I can have a positive effect on rebuilding the trust and confidence and ultimately working towards an improved ability to deliver service to our citizens.

How much money do you expect your campaign to spend on this election?

Unsure, probably under $500.

Official endorsements?

None at this time.