Voters in the Mapaville Fire Protection District will choose at least one new member of its Board of Directors in the April 4 election, and possibly two.
The certainty of getting a newcomer to the board came when longtime member Jay Wolk decided not to see another six-year term.
The other incumbent, Gary L. Peterein, filed to seek another term.
While a new board member will be chosen from the ranks of three newcomers – Marvin “Bubs” Boehme, Lori Robinson and Sherri Hensley – Peterein also faces a challenge because the top two vote-getters will be elected.
Board members are not paid.
BOEHME, 39, lives at 10427 Craig Road, Festus. He and his wife, Kasondra, have three children. He works for Public Water Supply District No. 7 in Mapaville. A 1995 graduate of Hillsboro High School, he has been involved with the Goldman Fire Protection District, Boy Scout Troop 547, Cub Scout Pack 547 and Elks Lodge 1721.
PETEREIN, 60, lives at 3240 Frontier Road, Festus. He is self-employed in excavating. He is a high school graduate who has attended college. He has been a volunteer firefighter.
ROBINSON, 58, lives at 3168 Old Hwy. A, Festus. A widow, she is a customer service associate for Lowe’s in Festus and was an insurance specialist for the General American Life Insurance Co. for 18 years. She is a St. Pius X High School graduate and attended Jefferson College. She is president of the Jefferson County Amateur Radio Club. She volunteers as an amateur radio operator for a number of organizations, is a trained weather spotter for the National Weather Service and a volunteer with the Herculaneum CERT team. She has volunteered with the Mapaville Fire Association for more than 15 years.
HENSLEY, 47, lives at 9730 Round Table Court, Hillsboro. She and her husband, Theodore, have four children. She has been the director of finance at Weintraub Advertising in St. Louis for 27 years. She attended Hickey College and the University of Missouri-St. Louis and has a personnel and human resources certificate. She is a volunteer with Health and Senior Services in St. Louis and has volunteered in support activities for the fire district. She also has maintained financial records for several churches, has been a volunteer leader with the Boy Scouts of America and helped to organize a fundraising drive for the St. Louis County Police Department in 2014.
What are the biggest problems facing the district and how would you address them?
Boehme: Transitioning into a paid fire department as smoothly as possible, as well as coordinating paid staff and volunteers.
Peterein: Maintaining a balanced budget without deficit spending to provide firefighters and taxpayers with good equipment and proper training for firefighters.
Robinson: Not really a problem, but the district is transitioning to employing paid firefighters since voters recently passed a tax measure that will provide the funding to add to our existing volunteer staff.
Hensley: Last year, a much needed 50-cent property tax increase was approved that is projected to bring in an additional $250,000 a year. This will enable the district to begin hiring its first full-time firefighters. It’s critical that the district wisely utilizes the funds entrusted to it. I pledge to use my financial skills to help the district stay within budget while protecting our residents, firefighters and property. I also would work closely with the board to create a program to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Boehme: I bring first-hand experience to the table. I understand the fire service and what it takes to be a successful department. It’s important that our department continue to move forward in policy, equipment and training. Since I’m not related to anyone on the board or in the district, I can be impartial regarding any issues that should arise.
Peterein: I’ve been associated with fire service for almost 50 years. I’ve seen us adopt sound firefighting techniques and equipment. I would like to move forward with paid firefighters, with a goal of having 24/7 firefighters.
Robinson: With my past personal and business experience, I would be able to help ensure that residents are given the best staff and equipment for their tax dollars. I have lived in this district my entire life and have a vested interest in what is going on as our community grows. I grew up with the district and know many of the firefighters.
Hensley: I have always regarded first response as a noble profession. My business experience, fiscal knowledge and attention to detail would be an asset to the district. If elected, I will work diligently, using my skills to promote and enhance the mission of the district, and to work as a team to serve the community by providing fire protection, rescue and basic emergency medical services, and to provide education and fire prevention. I would strive to make sure quality fire protection is provided to the residents we serve.