The Coastside Fire Protection District Board majority has spent approximately $100,000 on Consultants including Tri-Cities, Bolanos & Susan George, all to simply learn that a Stand Alone Fire department would cost residents more than the current contract with CAL FIRE. Yet, they have now hired a "retired Fire Chief from San Mateo, Dan Belleville, at $195.00 per hour to "consult" with them on a transition plan and budget to kick out CAL FIRE. This idea has been in the works since Director Mike Alifano made the motion back on December 14th, 2011 to see what it would take to go (backwards) to a stand alone fire department that he "can control".
To assist, they have recently voted (3-2) to transfer approximately $2.2 Million dollars from their 2012 carry-forward monies, that normally would have been used to fund reserves or be put towards Capital Improvements such as repairs to the El Granada Fire Station, and instead, the majority (Alifano, Riddell & Mackintosh) voted to use the money as a "Place-holder" until they get a Transistion Plan and budget together.
That meeting, when they "might" unveil their closely guarded transistion plan, will be held on Thursday, Oct 18th, just after the Pumpkin Festival weekend.
Meanwhile, petition gatherers in favor of Keeping CAL FIRE are collecting ample signatures to have the three Directors removed from office via a RECALL ELECTION. They have enough signatures to quailfy for the minimum amount needed, but the hard working, dedicated volunteers are marching forward to collect a decent cushion. The County Elections Office will go over the petitions, once they are turned in by Oct 26th, and eliminate any signatures that do not resemble those records on file as invalid, or who may have filled in incorrect addresses etc.
Volunteers will be at the Pumpkin Festival on both days to gather the extra signatures. If you still want to sign go to the KeepCALFIRE.com website for a location near you, or simply drop by the Pumpkin Festval and look for them while you're there having pumpkin pancakes and other fun.
If you can, try to make it down to the Fire Board Meetings this month at Coastside Fire Protection District Headquarters
1191 Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone (650) 726-5213
Mark Your Calendars:
October 18, Special Board of Directors meeting (Thursday Night)
October 24, Board of Directors meeting (Wednesday Night -usually starts at 7PM-7:30 PM
(See agendas closer to the time of the meetings)
As long as we're on the subject of consultants, who is planning to vote for the extra increase Sales tax for Half Moon Bay's Measure J?
Will Measure J Pay the Way for more consultants for the City Council to hire?
http://halfmoonbay.patch.com/articles/city-of-half-moon-bay-set-to-hire-public-relations-consultant
