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Challenger to chairman: Seat 3

Incumbent Michael Brophy says the board has taken a positive direction, but Julie A. Adams says it has not done enough.

Julie A. Adams wants to bring the fire board and the community closer together to work on issues.

"I'm concerned that our fire department is not stable because we have problems with our commission and I'd like to see integrity restored to our fire commission," Julie A. Adams said.

Two main issues facing the district are annexation and the lack of fire hydrants in the Lealman area. Julie A. Adams said she does not believe the fire board has done enough to solve those issues.

Board members should lobby and work with anyone they can to see the area is protected from annexation and has sufficient hydrants to serve the residents, she said.

Michael Brophy is the current board chairman, elected by other members.

"I feel that the department is a great asset to the community," Brophy said. "I feel that I can render both knowledge and experience to the board and in that respect be an asset to the community as well."

Completing the new fire station is the biggest issue facing the commission, he said. After that is finished, the board should concentrate on training personnel and the community as well as upgrading equipment as technology improves.

"The community deserves the best of coverage and the best personnel available. I think we have that," Brophy said. "I think the board has been on a positive direction in the last couple of years and I hope it continues that way."

JULIE ADAMS, 26, is a native of the Lealman area. She graduated from the TEAM program at Pinellas Technical Education Center in St. Petersburg. She works in accounting at Maher Chevrolet. She is a member of the board of the Lealman Community Association. Her hobbies are tennis and scrapbooking. She is married and has one child. INCOME: Salary. ASSETS: House, car. DEBTS: Mortgage, car payment, credit cards. E-MAIL: jjadams@tampabay.rr.com

MICHAEL BROPHY, 57,is a native of New York. He has lived in Florida for about 30 years, the last 16 or so in the Lealman area. He is a retired as a service technician from General Electric. He worked as a firefighter in New York City and with the Gandy Fire Department before St. Petersburg took control of the department. He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society, the International Chiefs Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Amvets, Fire and Iron Motorcycle Club and the American Legion. He represents the Lealman fire district at meetings of the Florida Association of Special Districts. He received certificates of appreciation for volunteer work with the New York fire department after Sept. 11, 2001. He is divorced and has two children. INCOME: Retirement, fire board salary. ASSETS: Home, car, motorcycle. DEBTS: Mortgage.