Van Elmore: Alachua County's first responders should be properly funded

My name is Van Elmore and I am 52 years old. My wife and I have four sons, three wonderful daughters-in-law and six beautiful grandchildren. I am running for Alachua County Commission, District 4. 

I was born and raised here in Alachua County and the Hawthorne area. I attended Shell Elementary and Hawthorne Junior/Senior High School. After high school, I attended EMT and paramedic school.

In 1990, I was hired by Alachua County Fire Rescue as an EMT driver. I worked my way to EMS lieutenant in 1993. After 31 years, I retired in April 2021. 

I was responsible for training new employees that were sent to me. I was a member of the water rescue team, bike team and Public Education through Clowning, and served as the department chaplain for 13 years. As the chaplain I was responsible for critical incident stress management, funerals, weddings and visiting members in the hospital.

I am running for Alachua County Commission, District 4, to hopefully make some changes. I am focused on repairing our roads through scrutiny of the budget, not new taxes.

I want our fire, EMS and law enforcement properly funded. We are in need of about three more 24-hour ambulances that have been asked for but denied. 

I want to focus on growth on the east side of Alachua County. I would like to see new businesses start up east of Waldo Road, in Hawthorne and Waldo. This can be accomplished and maintain the country living that we all enjoy. 

Van Elmore is running for Alachua County Commission, District 4. This piece is part of a series of opinion columns written by candidates for office that are being published before November's election.

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