To: Constituents of the Gold Hill Fire Protection District

From: Max Yeager

I have, in recent weeks, received questions from a number of you regarding the how’s and whys of the upcoming District election for Board of Directors’ incumbents and candidates. Where appropriate I have referred the questions to the District’s designated election official ( DEO ), Liz Wiig-209-352-8849, or a Board member. If you desire an absentee ballot, contact Liz Wiig immediately as they are due Apr 25. The election is in person at the Fire-barn in the Community Center Tuesday, May 2 from 7AM to 7 PM. The basics which I am familiar with I have answered. It was suggested to me that I summarize what I have addressed and put it in writing. Here it is.

The Board consists of five seats categorized in two groups to allow for alternating elections on two- year intervals to prevent all five positions expiring at the same time. Previous elections had been synchronized for even numbered years. Recent bureaucratic procedure changes dictated a shift to odd numbered year elections and in order to accommodate that this year’s election is set up to elect all five positions, two seats for two- year terms and three seats for four- year terms. In election years where the incumbents are willing and interested in extending their position and no one is contesting their seat the Board may cancel the election altogether providing it follows the procedures precisely and files the documentation precisely on time. In my 49 years with the department, I can only remember two or three times when the election for Board members occurred. This is why many of you don’t remember voting for a Director. If a Director resigns mid-term for whatever reason, the Board recruits and appoints a willing replacement to the vacated position to complete the term, and a cycle is established. This is commonplace throughout special district neighborhoods, reasoning being elections are expensive and time consuming to execute.

In this year’s election both two- year seats are uncontested, and the two incumbent board members are willing to run for re-election. Two of the four-year incumbent board members are willing and interested in running for re-election while one is not running for his third term leaving one seat vacant. Leslie Finn and I have each filed our applications to run for four-year seats. No-one is running to fill the vacant seat specifically; you will be voting for three people out of the list of four. The three with the highest vote count will be sworn in and seated and the one with the lowest vote count is out. The four incumbents are all astute and perceptive individuals, they are all professional people, a retired schoolteacher/administrator, a corporate financial officer, a professional wildland firefighter/mitigation specialist, a professional urban/wildland firefighter/medic. I don’t need to describe my or Leslie’s qualifications to you.

Last fall the current sitting Board requested you to vote for a mil levy increase, their request passed by a landslide. The Board you elect will be charged with dispensing those funds, your money, responsibly. Recently Chief Chris Finn retired after more than a quarter of a century in the position. The Board you elect will be charged with reviewing, perhaps amending the job description for that position.

This is an important election. We have difficult choices to make. I am asking you to be sure to vote and hopefully to inform yourself the best you can prior to voting. I am asking you to pay attention to what goes on with your Fire Department and attend a Board meeting occasionally. Perhaps inform yourself and consider seeking a position on the Board in the future.

Max