Monk The Latest To Enter Fire Commission Race

SPRING HILL - Jim Monk isn't interested in knocking on doors or handing out flyers on street corners.

The Korean War veteran is 78 years old and admitted he doesn't have the energy for a vigorous campaign.

Nonetheless, he is frustrated over what he perceives is a lack of motivation among those sitting on the Spring Hill Fire Rescue Board of Commissioners.

He doesn't think they are doing enough to get their message out to the public. They don't seem to have the drive, he said. That is why he is running for one of the three available seats.

"I know all of them and they're friends of mine," Monk said, "but I've done everything I can to get them to get out do something and they won't do it.

The longtime Spring Hill resident is a fixture at fire commission meetings. He strolls to the podium to speak at most every opportunity. Lately, he has adopted a more scornful tone. He blames the board for its inaction during the ongoing referendum negotiations with the county.

"I think they could be more on the ball," he said.

Last year, the county and fire district agreed to hammer out a referendum for the upcoming election. It will ask Spring Hill residents whether they want their fire department to operate independently from the county.

The process has taken more than a year and no final agreement or vote has been reached.

Monk also complained the district has done little in the way of public relations. He thinks it is time for more town hall meetings and better efforts to inform the public on the district's presence.

"We need to get out there and let people know we have a fire department here," he said.

Monk is the fifth person to file in the fire commission race. Incumbents Rob Giammarco and George Biro have filed along with Monk, Amy Brosnan and Benjamin Edwards.

The third seat up for re-election is occupied by Chairman Charles Raborn. He said earlier this month he was undecided about whether he will run.

The start of official qualifying begins at noon Monday, June 16, and ends at noon Friday, June 20.

Brosnan, who was the second person to file last month and who has never run for public office before, is not intimidated by the growing number of candidates. She thinks it is a strong sign of the community's advocacy for an independent fire district.

"It's nice to see the community coming out and showing their support," she said. "They believe in independence, cutting costs and serving the taxpayers. They want to keep a great fire service."