2020 Arvada Fire Protection District Board Election

Tim Allport
Website

In three sentences please describe why you are running for a seat on the Arvada Fire Protection Board.
I believe public safety is the first responsibility of government and we need to continue to uphold the public trust by being a good community partner and employer. Civic involvement is the engine of societal change and progress is always possible even in the best circumstances. I have changed many of my beliefs over the years, but not my commitment to be involved.

What skills and experience will you bring to the board if elected?

I have a diverse background in corrections, addictions counseling, school security and labor management relations. I believe I have earned a second term on the board. My lifetime of experience working at multiple government agencies and businesses gives me unique expertise to help improve oversight in the district. I am a retired Federal Correctional Officer, a State and National certified Addictions Counselor and currently work two jobs in JEFFCO Schools and private out-patient treatment agencies working with offenders under court supervision. It is important to note that 80% of the calls to the Fire District are medical in nature. As a volunteer, I am invested in this community serving on many boards including the Arvada Historical Society, President of the Jefferson County Security Association, and active with Arvada CERT, the Community Emergency Response Team. I strongly support public service and serve on the Jefferson County Parent Teacher Association to help advocate for public education. I am also a former board member with the Society of Addiction Counselors of Colorado.

What is your vision for Arvada Fire Protection District? How will you support the implementation of your vision?

The Arvada Fire Protection District has earned an excellent reputation with a proud history in this community. We are going through an important transition period and the next three years will be extremely important. My vision is to improve the district by advocating for increased transparency by supporting employment rights, additional public meetings, and publicizing more information such as contracts and resolutions. Arvada Fire and all Special Districts are integral to our community. Our elections should be part of the coordinated elections to put us on par with municipalities. Special districts should have the same level of participation and importance as any local election. School safety training and awareness, technical rescue, mental health and substance disorder services are critical areas of concern that I believe we can continue to expand our efforts within the district and the community. I will help support the implementation of my vision through dialogue and outreach to people within the district and the community. Thank you for your questions. I would appreciate your support.

Leif Carlson
Website

In three sentences please describe why you are running for a seat on the Arvada Fire Protection Board.
I am running for the Arvada Fire Protection District board of directors because community matters and public service matters. We all have an obligation to step-up and contribute to our communities and neighborhoods. I figure I can’t necessarily change the world, but I can help my neighbors.

What skills and experience will you bring to the board if elected?
I have a background in fire. I fought wildfires for 5 years most recently serving on an elite hotshot crew. I’ve been on roughly 300 wildfires of all sizes throughout the US. While I’m not a structure firefighter, and don’t intend to tell line firefighters how to do their jobs, I can connect with the rank and file. I understand the very real bonds that bring firefighters together: the passion, the camaraderie, the blood, sweat and tears that are invested while keeping the community safe. I currently serve on the Jefferson County Wildfire Risk Reduction Task Force, so I have relevant civic experience as well. It’s been an honor to serve on the task force getting to know so many of the local fire chiefs and community leaders. I also bring business acumen to the board. I’ve served in a variety of program and risk management roles and will bring a strategic, analytical mindset to solving problems.

What is your vision for Arvada Fire Protection District? How will you support the implementation of your vision?
We have a tremendous fire department with an exceptional and dedicated force. My initial priorities would be to make sure Chief Piper is successful in his new role, see that regional partnerships continue to flourish, ensure response times are adequate and equitable for all residents, take care that we have the best trained and equipped firefighters in the region, and making sure Station 9 is built on-time and on-budget to provide adequate service to Candelas, Leyden Rock and Northwest Arvada. Longer-term, my focus would be on providing transparency in the board’s decision-making, making more documentation available to the public, and considering ways to encourage more community participation in the fire district. I think reinstating shorter term limits and possibly expanding the board to 7 members would increase participation. There are more than enough qualified folks in Arvada, let’s get them engaged.

Dave Chandler
Website

In three sentences please describe why you are running for a seat on the Arvada Fire Protection Board.
I am running to be a taxpayer’s watchdog on the Fire District Board. We pay a high tax to the Fire District — fiscal vigilance is especially important. Number one priority is paying market competitive salary/wages to our firefighter professionals and always achieving high service standards.

What skills and experience will you bring to the board if elected?
I have been a well-known activist for Good Government for the past two decades in Arvada and have run previously for city council and mayor. I am well versed on governance issues and have a persistent passion for improving all things Arvada.

What is your vision for Arvada Fire Protection District? How will you support the implementation of your vision?
I will be dedicated to bringing more openness and transparency to Fire District administration. The Board needs more pro-active communication with the public and it should be more forthcoming when controversial matters arise. I would advocate for fewer board ‘executive sessions’ and all AFPD resolutions and contracts should be available to the public on the District’s website — the business of the public should be public..

Jack Doane
Website

At this time, the candidate has not responded to our questionaire. 

James V. Gagliano

In three sentences please describe why you are running for a seat on the Arvada Fire Protection Board.
I am running for the AFPD board to share my knowledge and skills where I feel are a fit. I live in the AFPD and would like to be part of shaping the future. I work for a neighboring fire agency and have a solid understanding of the operations of AFPD and would like to have the ability to give back to my community by being part of the AFPD board.

What skills and experience will you bring to the board if elected?
As a current professional firefighter and business owner I bring the skills and experience needed to understand fiscal responsibility and front line function. Operating a business requires budgeting, future planning, setting operating goals and being able to operate within a set budget. Working as a professional firefighter gives me the insight to what it takes to deliver the service that AFPD provides.

What is your vision for Arvada Fire Protection District? How will you support the implementation of your vision?
My vision is the AFPD will continue to grow as the city of Arvada grows. I will support my vision by being fiscally responsible, transparent and have communication throughout the entire organization.

Mark McGoff

In three sentences please describe why you are running for a seat on the Arvada Fire Protection Board.
I want to ensure that the fire district will continue to provide the highest level of fire protection and emergency medical service to the citizens of the district. I also want to ensure that AFPD continues to be fiscally sound.

What skills and experience will you bring to the board if elected?
I will bring many years of experience in working successfully with others on both elected and appointed board and commissions. Additionally, I had a career in public safety and attained certification in Emergency Management from the National Fire Academy.

What is your vision for Arvada Fire Protection District? How will you support the implementation of your vision?
My vision is that AFPD will continue to provide excellent and exemplary fire protection and emergency medical services to the citizens of the district in a fiscally responsible manner. To this end, I will support compliance with the standards for continued accreditation of AFPD by the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

Scott E. McNeil

In three sentences please describe why you are running for a seat on the Arvada Fire Protection Board.
I’m running for the AFPD to serve our community and First Responders. I work very closely with another Fire Protection District, and I think my experience will be benefit Arvada firefighters and their families. My expertise with budgets and finance will an asset for the Board.

What skills and experience will you bring to the board if elected?
I’ve been the President of Foothills Credit Union for 24 years, and in banking for 30 years. I’ve served on two other Boards, and on one of those I was the Vice President for two years. I assisted another Fire District with two different campaigns that aided those departments in getting much needed funds for growth and to better serve the community.

What is your vision for Arvada Fire Protection District? How will you support the implementation of your vision?
My vision for the Arvada Fire Department is to make sure that the men and women in service have the necessary equipment and tools to do the job, that pay and benefits meet industry standards, and I want to serve on a Board that can balance the department needs with what our community needs.

Caitlin Louise Reusch

At this time, the candidate has not responded to our questionaire. 

Andrea Romero
Website

In three sentences please describe why you are running for a seat on the Arvada Fire Protection Board.
I was appointed last fall to the board and I feel like I have done a lot of good work for the AFPD in the last 6 months. However, I still feel like I have more to offer! Service and safety of our citizens, community involvement and diversity on the board are why I want to be involved!

What skills and experience will you bring to the board if elected?
I come the board with a strong financial background and understanding of the firefighters benefits. I also have a strong community presence and I bring diversity to the board.

What is your vision for Arvada Fire Protection District? How will you support the implementation of your vision?
My vision is to make sure the citizens are well informed and well provided for. Building two new stations will only help provide for better and faster service for our people. Communication is key!

Candice Rosenberger

At this time, the candidate has not responded to our questionaire. 

Ted Terranova

In three sentences please describe why you are running for a seat on the Arvada Fire Protection Board.
Since I left that board in 2016 I have discovered that there seems to be a disconnect now between the Board and the Union. I intend to try to heal that divide. Also, I would like to get completed the buildout of our next station . Another important issue to me is when I was on the AFPD Board from 2008 to 2016 the Retirees had not gotten a raise on their pensions for 10 years. I was able to get cost of living raises three times from 2008 to 2016. Now, they have not had any cost of living raise since 2016. I would want a formal policy of automatic cost of living raises based on Social Security model.

What skills and experience will you bring to the board if elected?
My skills and my experience as follows. FORMER: Arvada City Councilman, Arvada Planning Commissioner, Arvada Urban Renewal Authority Board member, Arvada Variance Board member, President of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce, President of Aaark Total Home Services, Arvada Fire Protection District Board member from 2008 to 2016. President of that Board from 2014 to 2016.

What is your vision for Arvada Fire Protection District? How will you support the implementation of your vision?
My vision is the create the best public service organization in Colorado. The best trained. The best equipped. The happiest and best paid department in the metro area with the excellent service the citizens of the District have come to expect.