PHOTO: Republican Ron Saferite's yard sign, which will be seen in DeKalb County over the next year. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)

By Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor

tyler@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Last Saturday, at the monthly meeting of the DeKalb County Republican Breakfast Club, Ron Saferite announced his run for District III in the DeKalb County Commission. Saferite is a lifelong resident of the Lookout Mountain area of Fort Payne. “I’d appreciate everybody’s support,” said Saferite.

For those that don't already know him, Saferite grew up in the Adamsburg area of Fort Payne, and is currently the Assistant Fire Chief/Fire Marshall in the Fort Payne Fire Department. He’s been in the fire service for 33 years, with a total of 27 years with the Fort Payne Fire Department.

“I’ve been in public service all my life, and I feel like this is the next step in my public service career,” said Saferite.

Saferite has owned and operated several successful businesses, and helped managed the Fort Payne Fire Department, which has a multi-million dollar budget. In addition to serving the City of Fort Payne in the fire department, Saferite also serves as a member of Alabama Task Force 3, Urban Search and Rescue.

Saferite grew up in the district, and graduated Fort Payne High School. He also attended Northeast Alabama Community College, the Alabama Fire College, and Shelton State.

Ron is married to Sabrina Parker, and is the proud father to daughter Keisha Saferite, and step-son Dustin Bradley. Saferite also has one grandchild, Brantley Silver.

Saferite will be running in the primary on June 5, 2018, against incumbent Republican District III Commissioner Chris Kuykendall. Saferite talked fondly of Kuykendall, and explained that Kuykendall is a long-time friend, and the race will be a clean one.

When asked what made him decide to run, Saferite said, “I’m a believer in two-term limits, and I think it’s time for new ideas to move the county forward.”