I have never written a letter in support of a political candidate, but today I am making an exception for Senate President Mike Thibodeau. Over the past few years I have become increasingly interested in what is happening in our State House and the impact on our local volunteer firefighters. In speaking with Senator Thibodeau about an issue impacting firefighters, he recommended that I shadow him for a day at the State House. During my time there with him, it was obvious from what I witnessed that Senator Thibodeau is deeply respected by his fellow senators from both sides of the aisle, which explains why he was unanimously selected as Senate President.

My purpose for visiting the State House was to understand the process of moving legislation forward. Some of you may not know that I am the Liberty Volunteer Fire Chief, and currently the President of the Waldo County Fire Chiefs; a position that is very important to me. I've been impressed with Mike's dedication to provide the resources to our volunteer firefighters and first responders who provide such an incredibly important service in our communities.

In October of 2015 Senator Thibodeau appointed me to a commission to review the issues facing volunteer Firefighters and EMTs throughout our state. As many of you know most departments are struggling to find Firefighters and EMTs to staff our many departments and it is getting to the point where we need to do something soon, or more services will be lost. I know that Senator Thibodeau's door is always open and he has proved to me he will do what he can to support us in the State House.

Senator Thibodeau also makes it a point to come to the Firefighters Association meetings. He listens intently to our concerns and last year he presented each Fire Chief in Waldo County a commemorative red shovel from his shovel factory in Frankfort. He told them how much he appreciated all their hard work, knew of their struggles and thanked them for their service. Because he cares about Waldo County, he will have my vote in November.

William Gillespie is chief of the Liberty Fire Department