Editor’s note: The following is the third in a series of stories on local candidates. It is part of the Transcript Bulletin’s 2015 general election candidate coverage. Other candidate question and answer stories will be published until Oct. 27.
The North Tooele Fire District provides fire and emergency services for approximately 10,000 people and businesses in 1,700 square-miles of unincorporated north Tooele County.
The area includes Lake Point, Stansbury Park, Erda, Pine Canyon and along the Interstate 80 corridor.
As a local district, the NTFD is an autonomous political subdivision of the state with full authority to run the district, including authority for bonding, taxing, annexation, and elections.
A total of seven people filed for three positions on the NTFD five-member board that are up for election this fall.
Two incumbents, Fred Burton and Tracy Schaeffer, did not seek another term, leaving Kevin Astill as the only incumbent on the ballot.
The other candidates are: Ken Aldridge, Isaac Astill, Lance Davis, Michael Frieden, Bryan Larsen and Rick Pollock.
With seven candidates to fill three slots, NTFD voters may select up to three candidates on the ballot. The top three will each win a four-year seat on the board.
Each of the board candidates provided answers to a series of questions from the Transcript Bulletin, which are published below.
Who are you?
Ken Aldridge: I’ve lived in Tooele County since 1999 and currently live in Erda with my wife Rebekah and our four sons; ages 18, 15, and 6 year-old twins. I am a beekeeper, homeschooling dad and ex-bass player in a band. I have also been lucky enough to coach my kids in a variety of sports. I have over 17 years as a wild land firefighter, professional structural firefighter and volunteer. I currently volunteer with NTFD and also serve the citizens of Salt Lake County as a captain on Unified Fire Authorities’ heavy rescue team. After pursuing general studies at Southern Utah University, I continued my education at Utah Valley University majoring in emergency management.
Isaac Astill: I have been a Stansbury Park resident since 2008. I have a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in finance. Both degrees are from the University of Utah. I also have certifications in firefighter I & II, hazmat operations and hazmat awareness. I have 15 years’ experience as a department head or manager for higher education and county government in public services.
Kevin Astill: I came to Lake Point about seven years ago. I have been married for 37 years and have four children. I raised my family in West Valley City, where we lived about 25 years. I have an undergraduate degree in business management and a master’s degree in public administration from BYU. I have worked for West Valley City for over 30 years in parks and recreation, with 20 years as the director.
Lance Davis: I am a project manager at the University of Utah in the information technology department. I have worked at the U for almost 23 years. I am a graduate of Tooele High School, and I earned a bachelor’s of science in political science in 2010 from the U. I served as a firefighter and emergency medical technician with the North Tooele Fire District from January 2011 until October 2015. I am also currently serving on the Stansbury High School community council.
Michael Frieden: I have been involved in fire fighting and trying to serve the community for over 40 years, 28 of those years in Tooele County. I am currently employed driving a semi-truck locally, which has made me available to help the fellow volunteer firefighters. I have attended college majoring in business and I have owned my own business for 25 years. I have served in leadership positions in my church. I have served on the board previously and I can see the importance it has in serving NTFD and the people that depend on it.
Bryan Larsen: I have been employed in fire and emergency services for over 18 years. I am currently a captain for the West Valley City fire department. I am a paramedic and have served as a training officer and a technical rescue team coordinator for the West Valley City fire department. I have a bachelor’s degree in emergency services administration with an emphasis in emergency management from Utah Valley University. I have also worked on a part-time basis for the Mountain West Ambulance Service for the past six years, which has given me a good understanding of emergency service operations in Tooele County.
Rick Pollock: I attended the University of Utah, where I received my bachelor’s degree in mass communication. I’m also a small business owner, I’ve owned 435 Design, a local website, graphic and print design firm since 2008. I have several local clients in addition to clients in San Diego, Austin and Philadelphia. I’ve donated services to worthwhile causes like the North Tooele Fire District, Plan-B Theatre Company and the Weber-Morgan Children’s Justice Center. In 2005, our family founded the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, an international foundation that is working toward the cure for bile-duct cancer. I have a young family and we’ve lived in Tooele County for 15 years. We wouldn’t live anywhere else.
Why are you running for office?
Ken Aldridge: The philosophy I would like to promote, as a board member for the NTFD, is leadership through service. This philosophy should be prevalent in the fire department and all levels of government. I am running because I want to contribute my knowledge and skill set to the community I live in. I am not a politician, but I am a citizen of Tooele County and the opportunity to serve in this capacity is one I can’t ignore. The fire service and the people in it have given me so much over the years. I would like to use this position as a way to give back.
Isaac Astill: To be an engaged member of the North Tooele Fire District board and provide input in our changing services and ensure fiscal responsibility while protecting our homes and property with appropriate emergency response times. Local church leaders that continue to encourage us to be an active community member inspired me.
Kevin Astill: When I came to Lake Point, I wanted to get involved in the community. I spent a little time on the Lake Point park and cemetery board and then had the opportunity to serve on the fire district board. I think everyone should serve in the community in some capacity for a time. I have been a trustee for the fire district about five years. I have found great, competent people everywhere I have served. This area is a great place to live and raise families.
Lance Davis: As a lifelong resident of Tooele County, I have seen Stansbury and the northern end of Tooele Valley grow from a handful of homes and residents to what we see today. It will only continue to grow as many find out about the great quality of life we enjoy out here. With this growth there is an increased need to provide emergency services. As North Tooele Fire District must provide these services, it is important to have a strong and active leadership board to help manage the growth of the department.
Michael Frieden: I am running because I feel I have experience in NTFD that can help me help the residents of this area and the NTFD leadership move forward. I am a resident of Erda, and I feel strongly that each area of the county should be represented on the board. Our county has much diversity, which is what makes it such a good place to live, but the needs of each area are different and should be represented on the board. I really enjoy working with people and I would like to do my part to help our community.
Bryan Larsen: I am an advocate for fire-based emergency services. I do not feel that the current model of emergency services in Tooele County is meeting the needs of the public. I would like to help the North Tooele Fire District in its effort to provide all fire and emergency services in a manner that puts public interest before private interest.
Rick Pollock: I care about our community and the important service the NTFD provides for our community. I’ve worked with the NTFD before; they’re a great organization and I’d be honored to serve on the board representing them.
Why should I vote for you?
Ken Aldridge: What I bring to the NTFD is a working knowledge of professional fire and rescue services at the local, state, federal and international level. I’ve served as a captain on a HAZMAT Team, a lead instructor for FEMA, delivering multiple rescue trainings to hundreds of students from all over the country and deployed as a rescue team manager with FEMA’s Utah Task Force 1 and have responded to many national and state disasters including the recent floods in Boulder, Colorado and Hilldale, Utah. I’ve traveled internationally, teaching rescue techniques to firefighters and military personnel in Kyrgyzstan as a subject matter expert for the Department of Defense. My operational expertise and leadership experience is what makes me the right choice for North Tooele Fire District.
Isaac Astill: I am a new set of eyes with operational knowledge when it comes to emergency operations and regulations. I want to help the fire department prepare for the growing needs of the district and ensure our largest investments — our homes — are protected appropriately.
Kevin Astill: My interest in the district is as a customer. The question “What kind of service do I want and expect from my fire department?” is what I use to guide my decisions. My perspective of public service outside of fire department services can be very useful.
Lance Davis: I have a love of both the fire service and the political processes. This position is a unique opportunity to serve in both areas. I served for over four years and understand the sacrifices made by those who work to protect the residents of north Tooele County. If elected, I will work hard to make sure the needs of those serving with NTFD are met while also being responsible to the taxpayers of the communities they protect, because it’s my money, too.
Michael Frieden: If I were elected, I would try really hard to keep the raising of taxes at a minimum. I believe small increases where possible are a better solution. We need to take care of the equipment that we have to reduce costs. Our area is growing and the needs of NTFD are growing as well. The current leadership is working hard to keep up and I would like to help them. I believe in keeping costs as low as can be, but not sacrificing the needs of the residents. I would appreciate your vote.
Bryan Larsen: I have years of experience in the fire and emergency services working for both public and private entities responding in urban, suburban, and rural areas. I have served in several leadership roles within the fire service and I have experience working emergency services within Tooele County. My experience and education make me a great candidate to help the North Tooele Fire District to meet the demands that will be placed on it as Tooele County continues to grow.
Rick Pollock: I’m a small business owner; I started 435 Design in 2008 right before the economic meltdown. I also have a young family in Stansbury Park. I know how to budget and more importantly how to stick to a budget. I understand the needs of the NTFD and the need to balance the NTFD’s needs and the needs of our community.
What will you do if you are elected?
Ken Aldridge: The most pressing issues the fire district faces are: the growing tax base and understanding and respecting the impact of those taxes on every day working individuals, the growth of our community and need to continue to grow with it, maintaining and improving our volunteer work force while continuing to integrate a paid career contingent, and expanding the services that the public expects the fire department to provide. I will work to improve board accountability by establishing geographic areas within the district where each board member will be accountable to their respective group of citizens. I will support our firefighters, our department’s greatest resource, and grow the pool of qualified individuals working within our team to provide this most important service.
Isaac Astill: I will work as a team member toward a goal of protecting our homes with the appropriate levels of staff and create a self-sustaining operation that will fill the growing needs the area has when it comes to emergency services and response times.
Kevin Astill: My first goals were to help standardize proceedings, meetings, and procedures and make sure they were in line with laws governing governmental agencies; help the district get to the next level of professionalism and operations; and start the pathway to round-the-clock fire protection from full-time staff rather than volunteers. This was to be done step-by-step and as financially viable. I feel these goals have been accomplished. My next goals are: to keep working on the 24-hour protection from full-time staff; more standardized reviews and goals through the budgeting process to ensure district solvency, transparency and growth as needed; continue implementation of standards, policies and goals to guide the operation of the district; and work on sustainability of the district, keep up with growth, fund the district appropriately while being frugal, and take care of capital needs.
Lance Davis: There are two pressing issues currently facing NTFD: should they provide ambulance service and what is the future of fire/EMS service in north Tooele County. There is no quick and easy answer to the ambulance and it is an area that needs extensive vetting and debate. I am still undecided if it is necessary, since ambulance service is already available. I have also seen NTFD change from a primarily volunteer department in 2011 into a more professional department. These changes have happened quickly and reflect the growth of the area, but these changes also need to be managed to protect both the taxpayers and those who still wish to volunteer.
Michael Frieden: no answer provided
Bryan Larsen: One of the biggest issues facing the North Tooele Fire District is the rapidly growing community and its increased need for emergency services. The North Tooele Fire District will need board members with experience in order to help the department to grow in order to meet its increasing demand. This demand will require staffing in the station around the clock with continued support from its volunteer personnel. I would like to assist the fire district in its transition to a full-time combination fire department.
Rick Pollock: We need to look at an ambulance service and what effects it would have on the NTFD, the amount of calls handled and the quality of service provided. We’ll need to balance that need and the costs associated with such a service. The NTFD needs to efficiently service our rapidly growing community and expanding population.