Like many elections in the past, there may be no competition for the upcoming vacant seats on the Sedona Fire District Governing Board.
As board member Al Comello steps down from his position at the end of his term, other members Eugene McCarthy and Helen McNeal will continue for another term on the board.
But so far, only one name is vying for the empty spot.
“I’ve been on the fire board for four years, and it was an honor. It’s the first time I had been elected to any office in my life. I feel that I have accomplished [the goals of] why I was elected to be there,” Comello said. “I’m very focused on community relations, and I knew that there could be somebody out there that might be better [suited] on the fire board than me and who would have a lot more knowledge.”
With 34 years of experience, of that number, three years with the California Department of Forestry, aka CalFire, and 31 years with the City of La Mesa Fire Department in California, Scott Springett is the only applicant for Comello’s spot.
“I have the desire to pursue nomination to the Sedona Fire District Board to stay connected with the fire service community and assist the board and district in continuing to maintain a strong asset to the surrounding community,” Springett said.
Springett also served as Rescue Technician and EMT on FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team California Task Force 8 and was deployed to the 9/11 incident with the unit.
As a 12-year resident of Sedona, he is also involved in the Benefactors of the Red Rock State Park. While his wife, Sondra Springett, also is heavily involved, serving as the president of the Sedona Community Center Board of Directors.
“I just would like to do whatever I can to help the board and the district keep that high standard,” Springett said. “It’s good for the community, it’s good for the firefighters, it’s good for the city, and it’s also good for the people’s safety, their knowledge of the safety measures.”
The Sedona Fire Board operates in two election cycles. The two positions go up together every four years, while the other three positions operate on an alternating schedule.
“This is the election cycle where we have three board members set to rotate out in November, and we have three that have applied and got all their signatures, and they’re all set,” Chairman Dave Soto said. “And so far because there are only three for three positions, there won’t be an election for them. They’ll get appointed in November.”
Before the application packet deadline earlier this month, Springett, along with the two other candidates, had to collect at least 70 signatures. Springett collected 101 signatures from residents all over the city.
“He’s going to be a good student and I think the other board members will be his ally,” Comello said. “I’m the one that knows him the most, but he comes with the Al Comello spirit of recommendation.”
On top of the upcoming board election, SFD is also looking for Chief Jon Trautwein’s replacement for his Sept. 3 retirement date. The board is currently looking internally before potentially transitioning the search externally.
