LETTER: Point Montara Fire District election is crucial
Editor:
I have regularly attended the Point Montara Fire Protection District Board (PTM) meetings since 1996. I support consolidation and I support Vince Williams for PTM director. Here is why.
One of the key questions in the election of directors of PTM this November is whether consolidation with Half Moon Bay Fire Protection District (HLF) will be achieved. All of the sitting board members first voted against, and then lster for consolidation. Their vote for consolidation came only after citizens petitioned the San Mateo County Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCo) to do a review of fire service on the coastside.
LAFCo issued a report calling for consolidation as the best choice. Until the report was issued, PTM was going full steam ahead in an attempt to staff an independent fire department. The prevailing view of experts in fire service is that small districts our size cannot afford to be independent given the requirements for training and certification required for today’s firemen and paramedics.
With two of the three members of the board up for reelection, the residents of Moss Beach and Montara have the choice of reelecting incumbents or voting in new directors who may be more representative of the community. There are two seats up with two incumbents and two challengers running.
Voters should give careful consideration to the interests represented by the candidates before casting their vote this November.
Ed Carter
Montara