East Lake Fire Officials Interview Finalists Vying for Open Seat on Commission

East Lake Fire Commissioners learned more about the five candidates vying for a seat on the commission during a public interview session Wednesday evening.

The five finalists, J. Randall Burr, Wayne Ferguson, John Hall, Michael Peasley and Lauralee Westine were allowed to speak before commissioners to tell them about their qualifications. All of the commissioners also asked the candidates questions.

Commissioner Flo Galloway, who is moving to Ohio this Sunday, will be vacating her seat on the five-member commission. Galloway was allowed to participate in the interview process, but she will not be able to vote for her replacement.

Galloway asked J. Randall Burr, who is a High-Risk Team Leader at Fireman's Insurance, what the most difficult decision was that he's had to make during his professional career.

"Terminating a long term employee of the company, he replied. 

"Things just weren't working our from a performance standpoint and it got the point as a manager I had to make some hard decisions."

Galloway asked Wayne Ferguson, who is a former East Lake Fire Commissioner, what his biggest concern is about serving on the commission.

"I didn't have a whole lot of concerns," he said. "I'm not trying to beg the question. I know how you all operate. I know the operations have been going well in the past."

Candidate John Hall, who is a Business Development Manager at New Brunswick International, was not able to make it to the public interview session in person, so he participated via speaker phone.

Galloway asked him what his prime motivation was to seek a seat on the commission.

Hall replied, "A few years ago, everybody was telling me that I should run for the seat, he replied. "When this was brought to my attention, I thought it would be a good opportunity to get my feet wet."

Michael Peasley, who is the President of Peasley and Peasley Investigations also participated by speaker phone.

Galloway asked him what he thinks is the biggest concern the board is facing.

Peasley mentioned he was concerned about money and  Pinellas County's EMS system.

Lauralee Westine is a Land Use, Zoning, Permittig, Local Government and Licensing Attorney. Galloway asked Westine what her biggest concern is about the department, aside from the budget.

"I don't really have any," she replied. "I think money is our biggest issue. I think EMS is the second-biggest issue only because it's going to rear its ugly head every single year until we do something about it."

During the public interview, the commissioners also decided that they will select the new commissioner using a ranking system. They can not make the decision until Flo Galloway submits her formal resignation.

Related-

• Fire Commission Finalists to Participate in Public Interviews 

• 13 Residents Apply for Fire Commission Seat

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