This begins an ongoing series of responses received from candidates in the north Palouse region who are invited to present their views to inform voters. Please feel free to contact Chuck with your questions.
The Editor
Chuck Petras, candidate for the position of Commissioner, Fire Protection District 3:
Statement
Major challenges going forward are financial, equipment, and property value decline.
Two issues are especially pressing: equipment maintenance due to the aging of the fleet; and the inevitable increase in the cost of fuel and everything else.
Since most of the vehicles are diesel powered, we should form a buying coop and encourage local production of oil seed crops for biodiesel production. This would help keep our limited dollars here in the county, as opposed to going overseas to countries that don't like us much.
We need to get really aggressive on finding grant money to help replace what we’ve got. The Fire District typically takes in about $25K in tax revenue a year (which pretty much covers operating expenses). One of the most important pieces of firefighting apparatus a rural district can have is a tender (water truck). Our district has one of limited capacity that is only available part of the year.
These issues need to solved: Transparency (we need an annual district report and web page to make it publicly available). Fire station (need a building that can house all the fire apparatus - the Town of Garfield is actively working on this). Improve our fire insurance protection classification (to lower our insurance rates). Volunteers.
Biography
Elected Experience – None at this time.
Other Professional Experience – Thirty years as an engineer. Presently a research engineer at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories. Registered as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Oregon.
Education – Bachelors’ degree in electrical engineering.
Community Service – Volunteer fireman with the Garfield / District 3 Fire Departments.Chuck Petras
2302 Walters Rd
Farmington, WA 99128
Home: 509-635-1502
Cell: 509-991-0613
The North Palouse Washington e-Newscast, http://palousenewscast.com/
The Editor
Chuck Petras, candidate for the position of Commissioner, Fire Protection District 3:
Statement
Major challenges going forward are financial, equipment, and property value decline.
Two issues are especially pressing: equipment maintenance due to the aging of the fleet; and the inevitable increase in the cost of fuel and everything else.
Since most of the vehicles are diesel powered, we should form a buying coop and encourage local production of oil seed crops for biodiesel production. This would help keep our limited dollars here in the county, as opposed to going overseas to countries that don't like us much.
We need to get really aggressive on finding grant money to help replace what we’ve got. The Fire District typically takes in about $25K in tax revenue a year (which pretty much covers operating expenses). One of the most important pieces of firefighting apparatus a rural district can have is a tender (water truck). Our district has one of limited capacity that is only available part of the year.
These issues need to solved: Transparency (we need an annual district report and web page to make it publicly available). Fire station (need a building that can house all the fire apparatus - the Town of Garfield is actively working on this). Improve our fire insurance protection classification (to lower our insurance rates). Volunteers.
Biography
Elected Experience – None at this time.
Other Professional Experience – Thirty years as an engineer. Presently a research engineer at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories. Registered as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Oregon.
Education – Bachelors’ degree in electrical engineering.
Community Service – Volunteer fireman with the Garfield / District 3 Fire Departments.Chuck Petras
2302 Walters Rd
Farmington, WA 99128
Home: 509-635-1502
Cell: 509-991-0613
The North Palouse Washington e-Newscast, http://palousenewscast.com/
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