Five candidates are vying for two open seats on the Ben Lomond Fire Protection District board of directors in next month’s election.
The district serves about 7,000 people and covers roughly 4 square miles, relying on its volunteer firefighters. The fire crews are led by an interim chief, and the board hopes to fill the position permanently in the coming months.
An effort to rebuild the firehouse with a bond was turned down by voters several years ago, with no recent activity on that front.
Dave Bingham, incumbent
Dave Bingham, 58, has been a member of the Ben Lomond Fire Protection District’s board for six years, but he said he has been involved with the district for 35 years.
“Before I became a board member, I did a lot of fundraising for the district,” Bingham said. “Also, my two sons, who are now full-time firefighters, started at the Ben Lomond fire department when they were 16 years old.”
Bingham has a background in business, as well as in environmental, health and safety issues.
“My understanding of health and safety issues has been a vital part of my time on the board,” Bingham said. “It’s important to understand the rules and regulations we have to operate by.”
He said he has been proud to represent the community and that the board has directed the district responsibly.
“Materials and training have grown during my tenure,” he said.
Bingham said the board will be challenged to maintain the district’s firefighting equipment and keep up on firefighters’ training with less money coming in.
“The element of being financially responsible is extremely important in the current economic climate,” he said. “We need to spend wisely.”
Tom Maxson, incumbent
Tom Maxson, 61, has served seven years on the Ben Lomond Fire District’s board of directors. Before that, Maxson was a volunteer firefighter for 12 years.
Maxson said the men and women who give their time to protect their neighbors’ property are the backbone of the district.
“We’ve got the best set of volunteers in the valley,” Maxson said. “They do the best wherever they go.”
Maxson also said he stands on his record as an incumbent.
“Bottom line, I love this department. It’s the best department in the San Lorenzo Valley, and it’s a great place,” Maxson said. “I just hope people like the job I’ve been doing for the past seven years and put me back into office.”
Susan G. Weber, former school trustee
Susan Weber, 55, contends that her nine years on the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District board make her a prime candidate for the Ben Lomond Fire District’s board of directors.
“I’ve had the most phenomenal time sitting on the school board and have a lot of experience I can contribute,” Weber said.
That experience includes helping choose management staff, working on a strategic plan, budgeting, setting policy, fiscal planning and oversight.
“I’ve learned a lot from the experience,” Weber said. “The biggest thing I learned is that board members should not be involved in the day-to-day of the district. A lot of times, board members try to micromanage things, which gets confusing for everybody.”
Weber’s husband, Bryan, has been a member of the Ben Lomond fire team for almost 25 years and also served as chief for a year. Her son is a firefighter with the department, and Weber is a past member of the former Ben Lomond Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.
She said she is committed to providing the highest level of emergency service while maintaining a balanced budget.
“The biggest thing for me is that I really care about Ben Lomond Fire,” she said. “It’s been in my life for a long time, and I have a lot I can offer it.”
Morgan Scarborough, local business owner
Zach D. Schwarzbach, public defender
Morgan Scarborough and Zach Schwarzbach are running on the same ticket for the two open seats in the Ben Lomond Fire District.
Scarborough, 31, has been a volunteer firefighter with the district for nine years.
“Over the last nine years, I’ve grown to love the department, the people and the job itself,” Scarborough said. “I feel ready to move to the administrative end instead of on the frontlines.”
Schwarzbach, 31, said he is running for the seat for the opportunity to serve the community where he lives.
Schwarzbach works as a criminal defense attorney in Santa Cruz.
“I can provide new direction for the district, if elected,” he said. “The training I have as a lawyer gives me a background in critical thinking and the ability to balance different perspectives.”
Scarborough, who owns the stores of the same name throughout the area, said a business background is crucial for a member of the board.
“As a board member, you are running a business, the fire district, and I have a good idea of how it works and what it needs,” Scarborough said. “Overall, the most important thing is financial responsibility.
“I believe taxpayer money should be spent like it’s your own money.”
Schwarzbach said he can balance public safety and responsibility for tax payer money.
“My law background gives me an opportunity to balance perspectives and navigate bureaucracy,” he said.
Ultimately, Scarborough said he would be aware that what the Ben Lomond district needs might not be the same as the needs of other, larger districts.
“We need to keep our small, community fire department a small, community fire department,” he said.
