PINE VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

Overview

The district serves Pine Valley and Guatay and has three paid firefighters and 30 volunteer and reserve firefighters.

Nov 2006

Four candidates are running for three seats on the Pine Valley Fire Protection District board. Richard Berardi did not return a questionnaire. Jim Pilant has moved out of the district and will not be able to serve if re-elected.

There are really two candidates:

Benjamin W. Tulloch (R)

Rancher, Age: 53

Elective offices held: Longtime board member, Pine Valley Fire Protection District; member, Pine Valley Community Planning Group, 2002-present.

Community involvement: Longtime volunteer, Pine Valley Days.

College or post-high-school training: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, bachelor's degree in mechanized agriculture, 1975.

Statement of candidacy: To represent the communities of Pine Valley and Guatay as a member of the board of directors for the Pine Valley Fire Protection District.

What qualifications, attributes or perspectives would you bring to this elected position that your opponent(s) would not?:

As a member of the board in the past, I can give insight based on experience for the operations and functions of the fire protection district.

What are the three most important issues in this race? What would you do to address each one?: To offer fire protection and emergency medical services for the communities of Pine Valley and Guatay that is dependable, well-trained and cost-efficient for the people living in and traveling through the area.

(NOTE: Endorsed by SD County Republican Party)

Franklin Whiteley (R)

Business owner, Age: 45

Offices: None

Involvement: Volunteer, Forest Mounted Patrol for Laguna Mountain, May 2006-present; volunteer school crossing guard, 2004-present; sponsor of a youth soccer team.

Education: Miramar College, associate's degree in administration of justice, 1990; course work at Western State University College of Law, 1990-92; classes on security and police-related topics.

Statement: I've been a resident of Guatay since 1993. Over the past 20 years I've worked in the film industry and in 1998 opened a security and investigative company, building it to a multimillion dollar business.

Qualifications: Having a solid business background is instrumental in being able to develop grants, and having studied law helps in being able to understand contractual issues.

What are the three most important issues in this race? What would you do to address each one?:

The biggest issue facing the board is funding, and what agencies to accept funding from. And if we accept, what do we give up in return?

At some point you have to consider different ways of funding to maintain and replace aging equipment, purchase new equipment and fund different programs needed in our community. Exploring outside agencies to assist in the protection of our district, and maintaining funding for current programs.

(NOTE: Endorsed by SD County Republican Party)

-- Raymond Lutz - 06 Nov 2006