We have interviewed candidates for the Wheat Ridge Fire Protection District Board. The City of Edgewater is part of the Wheat Ridge Fire Protection District. The election deadline is coming up on May 6, 2014. This election is all mail-in. For a full list of the board candidates and Ballot Issue A, click here.
Leonard (Lenny) Ortiz Interview
Today we are interviewing Robert “Kent” Johnson who is a candidate for the Wheat Ridge Fire Protection District Board.
Why are you running for the WRFPD Board?
I am running for the WRFPD Board because I have experience in the fire service and community. I served on Edgewater Fire Department for 23 1/2 years and as Chief for 5 years. Served as a Council member for 6 years. Have been involved in the community for many years.
I was appointed to the Board in April of 2013 . Shortly after that the Board went through a tough time. Board made some very hard decisions, I think that we made the right ones and the Department is going to be much better for that. I have strong ties to the Fire Service and know what it takes to run a Department. It is very difficult but rewarding job and if I would be elected to the WRFPD Board, I will do my best for everyone involved.
In your opinion, what caused the financial crisis the WRFPD is currently facing?
I don’t know but I don’t think that this happened in the last few months. There were grants that expired, lawyer bills and a separation agreement that took their toll on last year’s budget.
What options does the Fire District have if the mill levy is not passed?
The Fire Department will not be able to move forward and continue to give the excellent service that it is providing at this time. Most likely, we will need to make cuts in the ability to serve in the way that our citizens are accustomed to and will likely lose our local Fire Station. Another option is to join another district. If we join another District it would cost more. West Metro mill is more now than we are asking for and they are going to ask for a mill levy increase at some point.
What are the immediate changes, if any, would you like to see in the how the District functions.
I think that the Board needs to be more diligent.
Where do you see the WRFPD in five years, and how will it get there?
If the mill levy is passed and with the present administration, we will be a very good Department. We have very dedicated people on this Department and they will move the Department forward.
If we don’t pass the mill levy, your guess is as good as mine.
Joel has been a resident of Edgewater, Colorado with his family since 2012. He is the Executive Director of local education nonprofit Edgewater Collective and Editor of the Edgewater Echo.
I was reading this to get some idea of what the candidates were about before I voted and I have to say I was STUNNED that a board member, when asked what caused the current financial crisis answered “I don’t know.” ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? And as a former president of the Clear Creek school board, I can tell you it’s a given that you NEVER incur ongoing debts based on temporary grant funds. Who does that?? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that those funds are going to disappear and you will be left with the recurring debt and no way to pay it. I’m horrified at the ineptitude of some of these board members. I really hope if the new candidates are elected they’ll do a better job because these guys are hopeless.