With the 2018 general election season in full swing, those vying for seats on the Sedona Fire District’s Governing Board were asked a variety of questions pertaining to issues facing the district — both today and in the future.
Age: 73
Occupation: Self-employed
Years in the District: 23

Q: Why do you feel you are qualified to serve on the SFD Governing Board?

• My education: Bachelor of Science in engineering; Masters of Business Administration in finance; international marketing and each degree is from a different univer­sity. I have held a commer­cial pilot’s license for 45 years.
• My board experience: Served on the Sedona-Oak Creek Airport Authority Board of Directors for 10 years, first as treasurer and then as president.
• My participation in development and presenta­tion of an aviation accident training seminar for the Sedona Fire District and Verde Valley Fire District, which was attended by 90 percent of the first-responders.

Q: If elected what would be your top priority?

My first priority is always safety for the public and for the first responders. I bring a fresh approach and will not be a rubber-stamp board member. Every request of “we need” will be followed by a “why?” I will listen to the needs of both the first responders and the residents and will be an advocate for the taxpayers.

Q: What do you feel is the biggest issue the SFD is currently facing?

One of the biggest issues facing the Sedona Fire District and this commu­nity is traffic, clogged roads and mass parking along roads and shoulders. Clogged roads make it exceedingly difficult to respond to some areas such as Oak Creek Canyon, as well as in town.

If there is a fire in the canyon, evacuation and access is especially chal­lenging when the two-lane road is congested.

Response time is a critical factor in deliv­ering emergency medical services that represent 70 to 80 percent of SFD calls. Improving response time during periods of heavy traffic through better vehicle staging or creating better access to outlying areas of the district should be a top priority.

Q: Last year a $17.9 million bond failed to pass, but it’s been determined that there are improvement needs to various fire stations. How would you address these deficiencies?

Obviously, the $17.9 million bond didn’t meet with approval of the district voters. I have spent my life finding creative solutions to diffi­cult problems. I don’t just accept the most obvious solution but seek a solu­tion that creates a win for everyone.

Q: Would you be in favor of a joint venture with state and federal agencies to build a new station at Slide Rock to address the needs of residents and visitors? Explain why or why not.

Of course I am willing to look at all options. Fire Station 5 seems to be currently understaffed and underutilized; it isn’t that far from Slide Rock.

During my tenure on the Sedona-Oak Creek Airport Authority, we completed over $20 million in capital improvement s wi t h the help of federal and state funds. At the same time, we grew the cash reserves from $100,000 to $1.3 million.

We never asked for or received any money from either the county or the city.