Incumbent West Manatee Fire Commissioners Larry Tyler, Seat 3, and John Rigney, Seat 4, handily won their bids to keep their seats on the WMFR district commission board in the Nov. 2 general election. Both were challenged by first-time candidates, Tyler by Michael Carleton and Rigney by Mondher Kobrosly.
Tyler won his seat 5,689 votes to 4,350 for Carleton.
Rigney topped the WMFR voting with 7,213 over Kobrosly’s 3,024.
Scott Ricci who actively campaigned to bring “new blood” to the fire commission challenged for Seat 2, held by incumbent Mike Mulyck. Ricci won the vote 6,017-4,146 for a seat on the fire commission board.
Of the three newcomers challenging the incumbents, Holmes Beach resident Ricci is the only one with previous fire experience. Ricci was a volunteer firefighter for more than 10 years and served as fire commissioner where he previously lived in New Hampshire.
“I’m a fiscal conservative in my business and personal life and can work within a budget,” Ricci said in a Q&A with The Islander. “I’ll be a set of budget-minded fresh eyes on that board. I feel that I have a lot to offer.”
Tyler has served 13 years on the WMFR commission, having held the positions of chair and secretary-treasurer — adding to his fire experience with a city in Wisconsin comparable in size to Bradenton. Tyler believes experience matters and make him worthy of another term as a WMFR commissioner.
For Rigney this will be the fourth term of service on the WMFR commission. Rigney, a certified firefighter-emergency medical technician who was a Longboat Key firefighter for 24 years, says he is comfortable in knowing all aspects of fire service.
Mulyck is an Anna Maria homeowner and has been part of the fire service for 18 years. He has a background in occupational health and safety and has a record of managing public service costs effectively.
The WMFR commission is scheduled to hold its first post-election monthly meeting at 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 18, at Station No. 1, 6001 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.