Age: 60

Schooling: Cleveland High School

How long in Federal Way: Lived in the community for 11 years (in unincorporated King County)

Family: Wife Tracey, children and grandchildren (married 33 years)

Hobbies: Working on cars, community activist, real-beard Santa

What do you want the constituents of Federal Way to know about you? The challenges of running a write-in campaign.

People ask me, Jerry, why in the world do you want to run for fire commissioner? It all started in 2010, when I spotted a tax increase that South King Fire and Rescue put on the ballot. Not only would it let them raise taxes immediately, it would let them continue to raise taxes on their own, without asking for another voter approval. I didn’t think that was right, and I was one of the people who helped stop what I considered taxation without representation.

Like you, I have the greatest respect for our firefighters who put their lives on the line to serve the public need. My problem is with a board of fire commissioners dominated by former firefighters, that keeps asking for more tax money without spending existing revenues efficiently.

After six years of attending their meetings, I can testify that there is almost no citizen input. I’m asking you to help me make this situation better. I’m the only candidate with six years of experience bringing your voice to fire district meetings. Simply fill in the blank box below the other candidates’ names and print “Jerry Galland” to cast your vote for me for fire commissioner.