Candidate for
Director; Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District

Chuck Anderson of Rio del Mar is a career newspaper and magazine reporter who has covered firefighting and the fire service in two states for the better part of four decades. Chuck has followed our district closely, attending fire board meetings regularly, usually the only member of the public in attendance.

As a journalist, he has interviewed our fire chief, business manager and battalion chiefs and researched the district's operations and financial condition. He knows neighboring districts and has experience in business management and a commitment to community service.

"I have a deep respect for the fire service and for this district," he says.

"For me, it's personal. I have had to call 9-1-1 a number of times for assistance with my elderly mother and late father. Without exception, our district's response was rapid and thoroughly professional.

"After being in close touch with firefighters for a long time, both professionally and personally, I think my background and awareness of the issues will make a difference. I believe that, to be effective, a board member needs to know our district and its specific needs and issues."

Personal

• Lives in Rio del Mar. Is a father and grandfather.

• County resident for 10 years. Family has owned property in the district since the 1960s.

• Currently retired from a successful marketing and writing career to be primary caregiver for his elderly mother. Also worked as correspondent for the Santa Cruz Sentinel covering the county's fire protection districts.

• Has been a news reporter covering firefighting and fire agencies in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, as well as Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Stanford, Oakland and the Santa Cruz area.

• Also has experience in retail management, event promotion and community fundraising.

• Member of a formative Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Rio del Mar.

• Has been Director of Communications and Development for the Capitola Begonia Festival.

"I like the direction in which the fire district is headed. After decades of ups and downs, our district is at a high point in its history. The current board, administration and rank-and-file are doing a good job, and I would be honored to join them."

"I'd like to help develop additional revenue sources such as grants and private contributions. We also should expand our community education efforts. It's important to form more neighborhood-based Community Emergency Response Teams and expand availability of CPR classes."

What the future holds

"For the foreseeable future, the pivotal issue is our district's financial outlook. Even with a long-range plan in place, it will take constant scrutiny to ensure that our revenues aren't suddenly appropriated by the state (as almost happened this year) and that the fees and taxes paid by our citizens are spent appropriately."

"While our firefighters are well paid, their health-insurance costs are rising dramatically, and the district and firefighters must work together to ensure that their families are able to handle health care without worry or sacrifice."

"The board and administration have a healthy, cooperative relationship with the firefighters' union. The board must make sure this spirit of cooperation stays in place."

"Our district needs to be open to all possible efficiencies. A past proposal for merger with another fire district was mishandled, although it's useful to consider all possible ways to cooperate with other fire agencies in the county to save money and improve services."