Gene Gallo dedicated to public service, Bradenton’s future

Gene Gallo has spent a large part of his life as a dedicated public servant to the City of Bradenton. He began his career as a firefighter in Bradenton, and rose in the ranks to fire chief after 20 years of service. Mr. Gallo was named Florida Fire Chief of the Year in 1989, and due to his unselfish dedication and tireless service to the city, the central downtown fire station was named for him in 2003.

When Mr. Gallo retired, he was not finished serving our community, and as result he moved into the political service arena and became the Ward 1 representative on the Bradenton City Council.

Mr. Gallo has never considered himself a politician because he enjoys helping people in our community by solving problems and putting city needs above all else. Mr. Gallo does not bend to the pressure of special interest groups and considers himself a public servant above all else.

Mr. Gallo has been one of the most popular leaders in Bradenton history because of his positive style of strong leadership. Long before he joined the fire department or became a city councilman, he was involved in the lives of young people by being a leader in the local sports scene where he started the boys and girls softball teams at Bethel Baptist Church, coached baseball and softball, and was part of the original Manatee County youth football league. He has been tirelessly involved in well over a dozen youth, community and professional service organizations.

I believe Gene Gallo needs to be re-elected to the Bradenton City Council because he is the person who has the most wisdom, experience, character and proven leadership that is necessary for the job.

This story was originally published October 25, 2016 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Gene Gallo dedicated to public service, Bradenton’s future."