For the first time in several years, the Sedona Fire District’s Governing Board had more candidates than vacancies, thus the need for an election on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
In fact, there were six candidates vying for three seats — two being vacated by Ty Montgomery and Abe Koniarsky who chose not to seek reelection, and one held by incumbent Gene McCarthy, who was appointed to the board earlier this year.
In the end, McCarthy, his running mate Al Comello and former SFD board member Joy Michelle Moore came out victorious.
McCarthy wanted to thank those who voted for both him and Comello during their campaign.
“I am blessed to have citizens interested in their fire board, how it is managed, and the services the Sedona Fire District provides,” he said.
“I worked hard to share my message without disparaging other candidates. I look forward to continuing as your elected representative to ensure that protecting lives and property is my No. 1 concern, while maintaining a realistic budget based upon the need to provide emergency services.”
McCarthy added that he encourages community members to attend SFD meetings to share their concerns and ideas.
Meetings are held at 4:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at Station 1.
Comello said now that this election is over, he can reflect on the experience. He said he’s appreciative of all the effort by hundreds of residents to go out and promote he and McCarthy’s candidacies.
“They knocked on doors, raised or gave money to fund the advertising, made phone calls, stood at the polling places holding our signs and put signs around town to convey our message,” he said. “These supporters and the thousands who voted for us saw that voting for Gene and I was a bigger message than electing two people. The election was their way of showing support for our fire chief, the existing board, and the professional administration of the fire and medical services.”
Moore said she purposely chose not to do heavy campaigning, because she felt strongly in her background as a former SFD board member and her qualifications and devotion to public service.
“I appreciate and thank everyone who voted for me, and believes in me,” she said. “I solemnly promise to do the best job that I possibly can for the Sedona Fire District, for our resident taxpayers, and for the first responders, who take care all of us. They are the true heroes and saviors of Sedona.”
In defeat, Schroeder said he wanted to congratulate the three new board members and that he wishes them success over the next four years. “I am quite disappointed in the voters, however. Not their choice, but their apathy,” he said. “Assuming that every voter cast three votes for the three open seats, that is roughly a 39 percent turnout for the district. With as much advertising, emails, signage, I would think that the residents of the fire district would be a little more concerned about their management. An apathetic voter base does not make for a sound republic.”
The new board members will be sworn in during the SFD meeting Tuesday, Dec. 18.
