Editor's Note: This was sent to this newspaper as a press release and is printed here in its entirety.

Long standing North Highline community leader Tim Healy and White Center resident Mark Ufkes have withdrawn from the North Highline Fire District Commission race.

Healy, a founding board member of the White Center Community Development Association, and Ufkes, a four-year member of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council and president of the White Center Homeowners Association, withdrew their candidacies to throw their endorsement to the current Fire Commissioner, Wayne Alishokis.

"Wayne has made some tough decisions as fire commissioner, decisions that were necessary to protect the moral of our fire department" Healy stated. "Wayne focuses on making sure that we have the highest, most professional fire department and fire service in the county. It is essential that we keep Wayne working for us."

Ufkes, an advocate for Seattle annexation, went on to say, "Wayne and I disagree on certain issues such as annexation, but Wayne emphasizes keeping our fire department above the politics of the issue" Ufkes went on, "Wayne understands the dangers of being a fire fighter, and that fire fighters are more likely to be killed on the job than police officers."

Alishokis, a 40-year resident of Boulevard Park, was appointed to the North Highline Fire Commission in 2005. He is seeking his first full term as fire commissioner.

Both Healy and Ufkes felt that withdrawing and eliminating a primary was the right decision for the community and the fire department. Healy and Ufkes will campaign for Alishokis in the upcoming November election.

Tim Healy

Mark Ufkes