Voters will decide between two incumbents and two more candidates to fill two seats on the Joachim-Plattin Ambulance District’s Board of Directors.
Current board members Ron Weeks and Cindy L. Vaugh, along with Tyler Schmitz and James K. Howard are running for the two open three-year terms on April 4.
Schmitz and Howard did not return candidate surveys to the Leader
Joachim-Plattin serves 180 square miles in southeast Jefferson County.
WEEKS, 73, lives in Pevely with his wife, Debbie. They have three children and three grandchildren. Before retiring, Weeks served as chief of the Pevely Police Department. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from University of Missouri-St. Louis and graduated from the Jefferson County Police Academy in 1978.
VAUGH, 63, lives in Festus with her husband, Steve. They have two children and three grandchildren. Vaugh is a retired nurse. She has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Central Methodist University and an associate degree in nursing from Jefferson College. I have also have legal nurse consultant and nurse paralegal certificates from the University of Phoenix.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Weeks: I served as police chief in Pevely, and I have served on the Joachim-Plattin Ambulance District for two terms.
Vaugh: I have been a member of the Joachim-Plattin Ambulance District since 2008 and served on the Jefferson County Health Department Board of Trustees from 2009 to 2013.
What are the biggest problems facing the district and how would you address them?
Weeks: The biggest problem we have now is finding a way to open and staff the Mapaville House. This area is growing, and we have a need to staff this house with a crew to serve this area of our district and not rely on our other houses.
Vaugh: Maintaining and retention of the current staff and recruiting future employees. With the increased area growth throughout the community service area, there is a need for more emergency service vehicles and paramedics to continue to serve our community with excellent care and good service.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Weeks: In the two terms I have served, the ambulance district has continued to perform well, and the crews and employees do an excellent job. I support our administration and the service we provide to our citizens. My main goal is to staff and open the Mapaville house.
Vaugh: I have a vast background in emergency, cardiac, hospice, nursing care for 30-plus years and feel that this has aided me in being on the Board of Directors.