Larry Tyler has 13 years of experience on the West Manatee Fire Rescue District board of commissioners and 10 years of fire experience in Beloit, Wis.
He believes experience matters and makes him an ideal candidate for another term as a WMFR commissioner.
“I love the fire service,” said Tyler, a 74-year-old resident of Cortez, where he has lived for 26 years.
He started Tyler’s ice cream shop in Cortez in 1984 and sold the business in 1996.
Tyler believes in countywide fire and EMS consolidation. He said he would like a situation where a paramedic could be on a fire truck instead of having ambulances run along with a fire truck on each emergency call. “If you tied the two together,” Tyler said, “you could have more people as firefighters.”
Tyler said that’s what the Beloit fire department did. “We eventually merged them and to this day they run an ambulance or carriage, but at least they are firefighter paramedics. So they’re firefighters as well,” he said.
Tyler said such a merger would allow four people to be on an engine. “I also think that would help the paramedic because if they are at the station or in the area, they can be off in another area and still operate as a firefighter,” he said.
Tyler believes there may be a misconception that firefighting isn’t dangerous.
“These people do put their lives on the line,” he said. “You never know what’s going to happen. It’s not like New York City, but today you’ve got more flammable products in the building. More toxins come off the material than it used to, so it’s more dangerous to contain a fire.”
Tyler is the past president of Manatee County Fire Commissioners Association, Manatee PC Users Group and the Florida Association of Computer User Groups.
He also was a past director and treasurer of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce.
His campaign motto is: “Provide the best service for the most reasonable dollar.”
Biography:
RESIDENCY: 9604 Cortez Road W., Bradenton.
OCCUPATION: Semi-retired.
OFFICE SOUGHT: West Manatee Fire District, Seat No. 3.
FAMILY: Married, wife Geri; five children, 12 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren.
INTERESTS: Golf, wood crafts.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Manatee Fire Commissioners Association, computer users group.
CAMPAIGN MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS (as of Sept. 15): None.
QUOTE TO LIVE BY: “Always be positive.”
CAMPAIGN MOTTO: “Provide the best service for the most reasonable dollar.”
Questions:
WMFR commissioner seeks re-election
An Islander Q&A with Larry Tyler, seeking re-election to the West Manatee Fire Rescue District commission in the Nov. 2 general election.
The Islander: Why did you decide to run for office in November?
Larry Tyler: As an incumbent in the fire district, I advocate continuing to provide the best possible service at a most reasonable and effective cost.
The Islander: What are your qualifications for this office?
LT: Ten years as human resource director and labor negotiator of fire and police, along with five other unions. I served 13 years on this fire district commission, holding positions as chairman and secretary-treasurer.
The Islander: What are the three top goals/positions in your platform?
LT: To continue to provide the best possible service for the most reasonable dollar. To Maintain the best fire prevention to employers and residents. To have the highest trained personnel for saving lives and property.
The Islander: What is your understanding of Florida’s Sunshine/Public Records laws?
LT: Very well.
The Islander: From time to time there is talk of consolidating local governments and/or local services. How do you feel about consolidation?
LT: I believe in fire and EMS countywide consolidation. This is an ongoing position since 2001. Some district have worked together to establish functional agreements, for example, testing new hires, training etc., but this is an inevitable timetable to happen.
The Islander: Characterize the direction of the district. Right track? Off-track? Wrong track? Explain.
LT: I believe it is the right track. Services are at the best possible response, given the layout of the district. The ISO rating (fire insurance for the home owner) is at a great rate. And it is possible that we may be able to lower the rating which will give the homeowner a better insurance rating.
The Islander: Why should voters cast their ballot for you over your opponent?
LT: Experience of 13 years in this district and 10 years of fire experience with a city in Wisconsin the size of Bradenton.
The Islander: What is the most significant issue facing the electorate at this time? How will you handle that issue?
LT: Taxes. Attempting to keep costs at reasonable level and not sacrifice the quality of services.
The Islander: Local governments are beginning a new fiscal year. What is your view of the local budget/tax situation? And how do you approach government finances?
LT: Our tax rate is one of the lowest in the county and yet the level of service is one of the best. Cautiously and economically sound for the taxpayer.
The Islander: Is there a promise you want to make to voters?
LT: I will continue to do my best to provide the best service at the most reasonable costs.