While I am disappointed with the outcome of the fire station bond measure, I am encouraged by the large number of residents who voted no, and yet expressed strong admiration and gratitude for our volunteer firemen and women and acknowledged the obvious need to replace our present 60-year-old structure. I appeal to this specific group of residents to step forward and lead the project to achieve the replacement of our outdated facility.

I agree with Teddy Roosevelt who famously said that “it is not the critic who counts, but rather the doer of deeds.” I want to acknowledge and thank those many residents who have devoted countless hours with the goal of meeting a critical need of our community which scores of city leaders have been promoting since 2006. The cost of delay has been enormous.

Gary Gillam

Gearhart