Main Menu

Justice Endorses McKone in East Lake Tarpon Fire District Race

Pat Gerard | Charlie Justice | Politics

Tom McKone is running for Seat 2 on the board of the East Lake Tarpon Fire Control District.

EAST LAKE – Pinellas County Commissioner Charlie Justice has endorses Tom McKone in his run for Seat 2 on the East Lake Tarpon Fire District Commission.

“I am proud to endorse your candidacy for the East Lake Fire Commission,” Justice wrote to McKone. “I know how hard you work to represent the residents of East Lake. I appreciate the time and effort you put into the important decisions that impact public safety as well as the financial stability of the district.”

Justice is the second Pinellas commissioner to endorse McKone. Pat Gerard is also supporting him, saying, “Tom McKone is the consummate public servant, dedicated to doing everything he can to make his community better. I highly recommend Tom for East Lake Fire Commission.”

McKone is a former member of the East Lake Fire Commission, losing his reelection bid for Seat 6 in 2016. McKone is the only fire commissioner to attend classes and attain the certified district official certificate from the Florida Association of Special Districts. He was also a founding voluntary trustee of the Firefighters Pension Fund.

Tom McKone } East Lake Fire Commission | Politics
Tom McKone

McKone said he is “acutely aware” of the significant financial shortfall facing the East Lake Fire Department with the 2019 increase in the homestead exemption. He said his business experience makes him the best candidate to help manage the department through this impending deficit.

He and his wife, Olivia, have been married for 43 years and have two grown children and three grandchildren. McKone is a retired businessman who is working in the Pinellas County Schools.

The East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District is located in northeast Pinellas County. The District covers 33 square miles, serves a population of more than 30,000 people and has a taxable property value of more than $2.4 billion.

East Lake Fire Rescue is a full time paid professional Fire Department consisting of 33 line personnel, three fire administrative personnel and two clerical personnel. East Lake Fire Rescue has three fire stations.

McKone is challenging incumbent Tom McQueen for Seat 2 on the commission. Maryellen Crowder is also running for Seat 2.

The East Lake Fire Commission is governed by a five-member board that sets policy and establishes a budget for East Lake Fire Rescue.

The nonpartisan election is Nov. 6.

For information about McKone, go to votetommckone.com.

Tom McKone | East Lake Fire Rescue | Politics | Elections | Tampabay News

#TomMcKone #EastLakeFireRescue #Politics #Elections #TampabayNews