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Publication Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 Voter Guide 2001: Woodside fire board -- rare contested race
Voter Guide 2001: Woodside fire board -- rare contested race
(October 24, 2001)
By Andrea Gemmet
Almanac Staff Writer
It has been at least 20 years since there has been a contested election
for a seat on the three-member Woodside Fire Protection District board,
making this election a real anomaly for the district.
Thirteen-year incumbent Peter Berger is facing a challenge from Jim Irizarry
for a four-year term on the board.
Mr. Berger, CEO of a Sacramento-based distribution company, has lived
in Woodside for the past 25 years and was recently endorsed by members
of the Woodside firefighters' union, Local 2400.
Mr. Irizarry, a real estate developer and former director of human resources
for the city of Redwood City, has lived in Woodside since 1988.
The fire protection district encompasses Woodside, Portola Valley and
unincorporated San Mateo County areas such as Ladera, Los Trancos Woods,
Vista Verde, Emerald Hills and the Skyline area.
Both candidates agree that the district is well-run and does an excellent
job providing fire and paramedic service. Both men put a high priority
on the construction of a new fire station in Emerald Hills to replace
the existing station, which district officials think is too small and
not earthquake-safe.
Mr. Berger and Mr. Irizarry also stress the need to continue to attract
and retain firefighters, a difficult task in an area where the cost of
living exceeds the average firefighter's salary.
Both Mr. Berger and Mr. Irizarry say the district's contract with AMR
to provide ambulance service has been beneficial and should be continued
when it comes up for renewal.
Mr. Irizarry said he is running because he wants to increase citizen
participation in the workings of the district, and has proposed formation
of a citizen task force to develop a long-range strategic plan tying service
and operation goals over a 10-year period to the district's annual budget.
He said he is also interested in using global positioning system technology
to benefit district personnel. "We should look at equipping our firefighters
with GPS chips in their uniforms to locate them at any time in the event
they are injured or lost," he said.
Mr. Berger expressed great confidence in Chief Mike Fuge and the rest
of the fire protection district's management, calling it "the most progressive,
most respected and most talented." As a member of the Board of Directors,
his role has been to provide guidance, support and judgment whenever necessary,
he said.
The district's prudent fiscal policies have not only insured 12 consecutive
years of budget surpluses, but has resulted in one of the most modern
and best equipped fire departments, he said.
"(The district) is well poised to meet current and future needs such
as equipment upgrades, expanded services and even a new station in Emerald
Hills, all within the present tax revenue levels and without any new taxpayer
assessments," said Mr. Berger.
Peter Berger
Profession : Incumbent, distribution company CEO
Education : Bachelor's of science degree from Cornell University
Experience : Background in managing troubled companies needing restructuring and/or turnaround. Former U.S. Air Force engineering officer. Active in masters swimming and equestrian activities.
Age : 56
Jim Irizarry
Profession : Real estate developer
Education : Bachelor's degree in economics from San Jose State University
Experience : Member, Redwood City's Disaster Preparedness/Emergency Response Team. Current volunteer football scorekeeper, Woodside High School. Former volunteer baseball coach, Alpine Little League, and assistant coach, Woodside High School frosh/soph baseball team. Former head football coach, Woodside Elementary School
Age : 50
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