It was a hot race, but East Pierce Fire and Rescue swore in its newest fire commissioner during last week’s meeting.

Bonney Lake resident Victor Proulx was chosen by the board to serve as a commissioner until November with four votes to three.

The commissioner position was opened when former Commissioner Rick Kuss retired March 1 of this year.

“I’d like to thank the board for this opportunity to fill this open position for the rest of the year,” Proulx said in a press release. “I’m hoping to bring my business and budgetary experience into the process to help make sure people’s money is being spent wisely and the firefighters are taken care of.”

Proulx intends to run for the position again in the fall general election.

The other two candidates for the position were Jon Napier and Kirby Pollard.

“This was not an easy decision,” Commissioner Mike Cathey said at the meeting, citing long executive sessions the commissioners had over the decision. “All the candidates brought something special to the table.”

Proulx has lived in Bonney Lake since 1984, and currently co-owns 410 Rentals with his partner Gail Bohnas.

He also served as an East Pierce fire commissioner from 2005 to 2011, and is a current East Pierce Fire and Rescue Foundation board member.

General election

Along with Proulx, four other commissioners will be up for re-election, including Dale Mitchell, Mike Cathey, Karlynne McGinnis and Ron Scholz.

The deadline for applying for one of the five board positions is May 15, but applications will be accepted as early as May 11.

Applicants must be a registered voter and live in the boundaries of East Pierce Fire and Rescue.