Q & A With Jim Burke

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Interview questionnaire with Sandy Parker with Sparker’s Soapbox

About you:

  •  How old are you? 84 years old
  • In what part of Collier County do you live? North Naples (Pelican Bay)
  • How long have you lived in Collier County, and where were you living previously?
    I am a 24-year resident having previously lived, for 20 years, in Germantown. (‘Memphis) Tn.
  • What is your educational background and past work experiences?
    I am a graduate of LeMoyne College, Syracuse, NY with a BS in Industrial Relations.
    Management positions with Procter & Gamble, Holiday Inns Hotels and Promus Hotels.
  • What qualifies you for this job?
    I believe that my involvement in many sectors of community governance serves as a major qualifier for the fire commissioner position. I have served as the Board Chairman of my condo association, chairmanship of the Pelican Bay Services Division and a term as chairman of the Collier County Coastal Advisory Committee coupled with my fourteen years’ service as a fire Commissioner provides me with the experience and perspective to be a contributing member of the NCFD Board of Commissioners.

Why are you running for this position?

I am running for reelection in an effort to play a major role in preparing the NCFD for the challenges facing emergency services providers in a growing service delivery area.

What are three things you want to accomplish if you are elected?

If reelected, I will work with my fellow commissioners to add three new fire stations to the district’s existing 12, expand the district’s emergency medical service delivery reach and solidify
the district’s financial future.

Name one past policy decision of the board you are running for that you disagree with that you would like to change if elected. Why?

There isn’t one.

What is the most important thing voters should know about the issues at stake in this election, before making their decision about who to vote for?

Voters should be aware of the challenges facing the agency that responds to their 911 calls. The district has grown in area served, population served, services provided as well as skills required of the fire fighter first responders. All of which must be properly funded if the service is to continue expanding an improving. Experienced Commissioners, working closely with staff leadership is vitally important at this point in time.