Sedona Fire District Candidate Slate: Doug Fitzpatrick, Ty Montgomery and Dick Fishel
“Integrity Matters” is the theme of our campaign” Doug Fitzpatrick said “ because we believe that should be the basis of every decision the Governing Board makes on behalf of the taxpayers. Therefore, we pledge decisions based on documented facts, not on suppositions, emotions and inaccurate information. We promise strict adherence to public meeting laws providing transparent and independent decisions, not back-door, secret dealings as favors for financial supporters and special interest groups. We promise that expense policies, bidding policies and all other SFD policies and procedures developed for the taxpayer’s protection will not be violated and integrity is returned to Board actions.”
“We are not politicians!” interjected Dick Fishel “ We are successful small business owners who believe that our success in business came from being solely responsible for the generation of revenues and control of expenses of our companies. We bring these essential skills to the Sedona Fire District as Governing Board members.” He added “These have been tough economic times and the Sedona Fire District has had to face some much needed cost cutting. Even beginning 3 years ago, before the current Board started their terms, that Board started to reduce tax mil rates, required various SFD departments to cut expenses and to not fill staffing vacancies. Those cost cutting measures have continued and even more may be needed in the light of severe revenue declines for 2011 from 20% property devaluations. The Board knew that there is a 20% property tax income loss for 2011, but the Board majority added another 10% loss by dropping the mil rate making a whopping 30% loss in revenues for 2011. That was irresponsible financial action. When reviewing these and all other issues that will arise during these times, we pledge to do all we can to keep emergency fire and medical services at the highest levels possible and to make decisions based on facts!”
Another issue about which the three candidates expressed concern is that the Sedona Fire District has been the subject of much controversy in the last few years. Part of this has been the result of an antagonistic culture coming from some members of the Board directed to many members of the staff, as well as misinformation being disseminated by a very vocal minority of the community. Ty Montgomery interjected, “This has resulted in problems with departmental operations declining morale in the Fire District, and has even resulted in the loss of some of our firefighters to other fire departments/districts. Our new Fire Chief, who brings with him a wealth of knowledge and capability, has been effectively handcuffed by the board in his ability to run the Fire District.” The slate added that there have been individuals who have made fraudulent statements about departmental operations, and even have taken to personally attacking those who protect our homes and lives. There are groups that in their zeal to try to prove these false allegations have taken things out of context, distorted the truth, and engaged in frankly slanderous behavior.
Ty Montgomery went on to say, “I have spent a great deal of time in the past few months doing my own research on the District’s operations, as have my two running mates. We have spent time with Chief Hazime reviewing operations, with Karen Daines reviewing budget and financial reports, and with the upper management of the District to hear their concerns. We have submitted public information requests to 20 other fire departments/districts to review their wages in relation to our fire district. We have obtained legal opinions on current hot button issues such as overtime and longevity pay, and management pay structure. We have met with local business owners who have significant exposures in their real property. In short, we have gotten the facts. To the best of our knowledge, no other candidates have so much as requested a meeting with any of the members of the District. I hesitate to think where they are getting the information around which they are basing their campaign.” He further stated “As a taxpayer, a business owner, a homeowner, a medical provider, and a father, I have a vested interest in ensuring our community has the best Fire and EMS services available. While I understand as well as anyone the need for fiscal responsibility, I also believe we must work diligently to maintain our current service levels. I am confident that a board that will work with the District, as opposed to against it, will be able to maintain or improve the service to our community, while reducing the costs associated with that through sound financial management.”
Dick Fishel said that he also wanted to be clear on what their positions are on some other key issues. A big one is this Board’s majority attempt to privatize the ambulance service. He stated “We firmly believe in privatizing government functions only when it makes sense financially and doesn’t reduce service. Our research shows not only would the District have a net loss in revenues by going private, but the emergency medical reduced level of expertise and longer response times would degrade service to unacceptable levels. Privatizing our ambulance makes no sense from any perspective.”
Doug Fitzpatrick further added that he also believes it important that all our community know what Chief Hazime and his staff have accomplished and should get credit for their achievements. He said “The Chief knew when he was hired last year that he would be required to cut costs, make the operations more efficient and yet, keep up the high service levels. A tall order, but working with everyone, the Chief and his staff have, in one year, reduced the budget by $1.7M, 8.5%, reduced overtime by15.6%, and reduced the vehicle fleet by 5 vehicles. When 2 top management level staff resigned, he reallocated their functions to the other management team at great savings to the District.” All three candidates agreed that he made whatever adjustments were necessary to cope with mil rate cuts, budget cuts, wage freezes, hiring freezes, property value declines, yet all the Fire District employees have continued to maintain high levels of service. Fitzpatrick further stated “We hired a great Chief, who has the professional knowledge to run his Fire District and should be given the opportunity to do so.”
DICK FISHEL, PHR
- B.S. Degree – Management, Arizona State University
- Business owner responsible for generating income and controlling expenses of a very financially successful company that provided HR contracting services to major Phoenix area companies.
- HR Management/Professional positions with Prudential, American Express and Motorola including responsibility for substantial departmental budgets.
- Leadership positions including President of several HR Chapters, AZ State Director of AZSHRM, Treasurer of Oak Creek Water Company, Treasurer of Saddlerock HOA, City of Sedona Personnel Board, etc.
- Past Interim Board Member, Sedona Fire District.
- Married, 2 grown children
- Sedona Full Time resident for last 9 years (regular Sedona visitor last 47 years).
DOUG FITZPATRICK
- J.D. Degree, Chicago-Kent Collage of Law
- B.A. Degree, Lake Forest College
- Business owner responsible for generating income and controlling expenses of a financially successful Law Practice in Sedona and Phoenix.
- Public Defender for Lake County, Illinois.
- Volunteer Attorney for local and regional non-profit organizations.
- Married, 2 grown daughters.
- Village of Oak Creek FT resident last 28 years.
TY MONTGOMERY
- M.S.N. Degree – Family Nurse Practitioner, University of Phoenix
- B.A. – Communications, Simpson College
- Business owner responsible for generating income and controlling expenses of a financially successful family medical practice.
- Medical Management/Professional positions with North Country Health Center, Verde Valley Medical Center, John C. Lincoln Health Network and Paradise Valley Hospital including responsibility for substantial staffing and organizational issues.
- Director of Operations /Business Management, including P&L responsibility for multiple locations of CMP, Inc., a food and beverage company.
- Paramedic / Firefighter, PT and On-Call, with Clive Fire Department.
- Leadership / Training roles for 3 medical hospitals, selection committees for 3 nursing programs, a medical symposium and critical incident teams.
- Married, 3 children
- Village of Oak Creek Full Time resident last 6 years.
More information about these candidates and their stances on the issues can be found here. Please vote Nov. 2nd
As you compare these candidates to the ones in the previous article, you can’t help but notice the depth and breadth of knowledge that these individuals have on the key issues affecting the SFD. They have taken the time out to do their homework, analyze data from 20 other fire departments and districts and come to their own conclusions. These candidates are solid, professional individuals with substance who have the capability to make their own decisions, without following the script prepared by interest groups within a small vocal minority.They are not politicians who have made fraudulent statements about departmental operations, and even have taken to personally attacking those who protect our homes and lives.In their zeal to try to prove these false allegations. These are not individuals who like to take things out of context, distort the truth, and engage in frankly slanderous behavior. It’s high time to bring INTEGRITY back to the SFD Governing Board and we can do so by electing Fitzpatrick, Montgomery and Fishel.
For additional information on these three and to hear them speak, please research the links below. Let’s all make sure we are educated come this year’s mid-term election!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Integrity-Matters-Sedona-Fire-Board-Candidates/154239541253353?ref=search
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN4HDaIs9rI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOqgRTQhDJs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2AzvLev4YA
Sedona Bulk Mail Permit No.53, the permit you used to mail out your recent 6×9 campaign postcards is the Firefighters Union permit that you see on all their Union mailings.
If “Integrity Matters,” and transparency is so important to your slate, why aren’t you letting the voters know who paid to mail out your campaign literature.
Had occasion to sneek into the back of the room today where the Sedona Rotary was having the various candidates running for the SFD Governing Board. Doug Fitzpatrick and Dick Fishel provided valid reasons why they were running and came across very credible and professional. Mel Rycus made a good presentation complementing out firefighters and the work they do.The “good old boys” presented their case, once again doubting any figures presented by staff and the opposition candidates. Dave Blauert suggested that people vote for Phyllis Erick (who was a no-show) just because she was the only female candidate. He appealed to the females in the audience to vote for her, so that they could have representation on the Board. Is THAT a good reason to vote for someone? Have we forgotten that whoever is elected to any political position, he/she needs to prove that they are qualified to get the job done? In addition, once again, they slammed the Fire Union for supporting their candidates, as though they have no right to vote and support people running for office. Are these candidates not aware that the first time that Charles Christensen ran for the Board, it was the Fire Union that helped him financially in his campaign? How come that did notseem to be a problem at the time? I understand that after his first term was up, he approached the Fire Union again to fund his campaign and they refused. When Don Harr and Charles Christensen ran in 2008, the Fire Union again was approached for support which was denied. This surely sheds more light on the animosity that has existed in the past two years by the present majority on the Board.
There is a lot of work that needs to be done by the incoming Board, because we had two years of distrust and rancor towards staff and other Board members. This animosity needs to stop and we, as the informed voters within the District, need to choose very carefully who will fill these vacancies. We need to pick individuals with substance and not just hot air. These individuals need to be capable to think for themselves and make decisions that will benefit ALL the people within our district and not just a few members of a vocal minority. Listen carefully to all of the candidates and look in depth at whatever they are saying. When someone’s platform consists merely of doubting the data supplied by the people who are hired as professionals without giving clear reasons for doubting them, you know that they are grasping for straws. How many times have we heard and read in-depth reports from Chief Hazime and Karen Daines, the Business Director, setting the record straight only to be accused of other nebulous and groundless charges by the opposition? Decide for yourselves!
You will finally have the opportunity to see and hear all eight candidates at two separate candidate forums: 1st one is on September 27th from 6 to 8 at the Jewish Community Center sponsored by the League of Women Voters; the 2nd one is on October 5th at the Sedona Community Center sponsored by DORR.
You be the judge!
To Beau: Yes, bulk rate permit # 53 does belong to the Sedona/Verde Valley Firefighters Association. However, as treasurer for all three candidates I can state unequivocally that the postage was paid equally by all three candidates as were the post cards. Integrity matters.
Our Pledge to You
OUR PLEDGE TO YOU IS TO ASSURE THAT OUR FAMILIES, OUR HOMES, OUR BUSINESSES AND OUR COMMUNITY RECEIVE THE VERY BEST MEDICAL AND FIRE SERVICES THAT WE CAN AFFORD!
WE PLEDGE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY BASED ON FACTS.
WE PLEDGE TO LISTEN TO YOUR OPINIONS AND CONCERNS AND BASE ALL OUR DECISIONS ON SOLID FACTS – NOT FALSE RUMORS.
WE PLEDGE TOTAL TRANSPARENCY OF ALL S.F.D. OPERATIONS AND DECISIONS.
WE PLEDGE TO ADHERE STRICTLY TO PUBLIC MEETING LAWS.
WE PLEDGE THE HIGHEST PERFORMANCE LEVELS OF MEDICAL & FIRE SERVICES THAT WE CAN AFFORD.
WE PLEDGE TO KEEP THE BEST ISO RATING POSSIBLE TO KEEP INSURANCE RATES LOW FOR ALL OF US.
WE PLEDGE TO EVALUATE RESPONSE TIMES TO ALL DISTRICT SERVICED AREAS AND RECOMMEND AFFORDABLE CHANGES WHERE NEEDED.
WE PLEDGE TO KEEP OUR CURRENT AMBULANCE SERVICE SYSTEM.
WE PLEDGE TO LOOK FOR NEW NON-TAX REVENUE SOURCES.
Candidates Fishel, Montgomery, and Fitzpatrick for SFD Governing Board
To Beau: Yes, bulk rate permit # 53 does belong to the Sedona/Verde Valley Firefighters Association. However, as treasurer for all three candidates I can state unequivocally that the postage was paid equally by all three candidates as were the post cards. Integrity matters. Caroline Johnson
When we dail 911 we need response and responsibility. I have not seen that to be Dave Blauert’s forte. This is not what we need for SFD.
I also finding it VERY interesting that the opposition is using bulk rate permit#100 that belongs to the Sedona-Verde Valley Chapter of the Sierra club. I also understand that Mr. Craig Dible is associated with that chapter…
VERY INTERESTING INDEED!!!!
KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES—Sedona Fire District Candidate Slate: Doug Fitzpatrick, Ty Montgomery and Dick Fishel
“Integrity Matters” is the theme of our campaign” Doug Fitzpatrick said “ because we believe that should be the basis of every decision the Governing Board makes on behalf of the taxpayers. Therefore, we pledge decisions based on documented facts, not on suppositions, emotions and inaccurate information. We promise strict adherence to public meeting laws providing transparent and independent decisions, not back-door, secret dealings as favors for financial supporters and special interest groups. We promise that expense policies, bidding policies and all other SFD policies and procedures developed for the taxpayer’s protection will not be violated and integrity is returned to Board actions.”
“We are not politicians!” interjected Dick Fishel “ We are successful small business owners who believe that our success in business came from being solely responsible for the generation of revenues and control of expenses of our companies. We bring these essential skills to the Sedona Fire District as Governing Board members.” He added “These have been tough economic times and the Sedona Fire District has had to face some much needed cost cutting. Even beginning 3 years ago, before the current Board started their terms, that Board started to reduce tax mil rates, required various SFD departments to cut expenses and to not fill staffing vacancies. Those cost cutting measures have continued and even more may be needed in the light of severe revenue declines for 2011 from 20% property devaluations. The Board knew that there is a 20% property tax income loss for 2011, but the Board majority added another 10% loss by dropping the mil rate making a whopping 30% loss in revenues for 2011. That was irresponsible financial action. When reviewing these and all other issues that will arise during these times, we pledge to do all we can to keep emergency fire and medical services at the highest levels possible and to make decisions based on facts!”
Another issue about which the three candidates expressed concern is that the Sedona Fire District has been the subject of much controversy in the last few years. Part of this has been the result of an antagonistic culture coming from some members of the Board directed to many members of the staff, as well as misinformation being disseminated by a very vocal minority of the community. Ty Montgomery interjected, “This has resulted in problems with departmental operations declining morale in the Fire District, and has even resulted in the loss of some of our firefighters to other fire departments/districts. Our new Fire Chief, who brings with him a wealth of knowledge and capability, has been effectively handcuffed by the board in his ability to run the Fire District.” The slate added that there have been individuals who have made fraudulent statements about departmental operations, and even have taken to personally attacking those who protect our homes and lives. There are groups that in their zeal to try to prove these false allegations have taken things out of context, distorted the truth, and engaged in frankly slanderous behavior.
Ty Montgomery went on to say, “I have spent a great deal of time in the past few months doing my own research on the District’s operations, as have my two running mates. We have spent time with Chief Hazime reviewing operations, with Karen Daines reviewing budget and financial reports, and with the upper management of the District to hear their concerns. We have submitted public information requests to 20 other fire departments/districts to review their wages in relation to our fire district. We have obtained legal opinions on current hot button issues such as overtime and longevity pay, and management pay structure. We have met with local business owners who have significant exposures in their real property. In short, we have gotten the facts. To the best of our knowledge, no other candidates have so much as requested a meeting with any of the members of the District. I hesitate to think where they are getting the information around which they are basing their campaign.” He further stated “As a taxpayer, a business owner, a homeowner, a medical provider, and a father, I have a vested interest in ensuring our community has the best Fire and EMS services available. While I understand as well as anyone the need for fiscal responsibility, I also believe we must work diligently to maintain our current service levels. I am confident that a board that will work with the District, as opposed to against it, will be able to maintain or improve the service to our community, while reducing the costs associated with that through sound financial management.”
Dick Fishel said that he also wanted to be clear on what their positions are on some other key issues. A big one is this Board’s majority attempt to privatize the ambulance service. He stated “We firmly believe in privatizing government functions only when it makes sense financially and doesn’t reduce service. Our research shows not only would the District have a net loss in revenues by going private, but the emergency medical reduced level of expertise and longer response times would degrade service to unacceptable levels. Privatizing our ambulance makes no sense from any perspective.”
Doug Fitzpatrick further added that he also believes it important that all our community know what Chief Hazime and his staff have accomplished and should get credit for their achievements. He said “The Chief knew when he was hired last year that he would be required to cut costs, make the operations more efficient and yet, keep up the high service levels. A tall order, but working with everyone, the Chief and his staff have, in one year, reduced the budget by $1.7M, 8.5%, reduced overtime by15.6%, and reduced the vehicle fleet by 5 vehicles. When 2 top management level staff resigned, he reallocated their functions to the other management team at great savings to the District.” All three candidates agreed that he made whatever adjustments were necessary to cope with mil rate cuts, budget cuts, wage freezes, hiring freezes, property value declines, yet all the Fire District employees have continued to maintain high levels of service. Fitzpatrick further stated “We hired a great Chief, who has the professional knowledge to run his Fire District and should be given the opportunity to do so.”
DICK FISHEL, PHR
B.S. Degree – Management, Arizona State University
Business owner responsible for generating income and controlling expenses of a very financially successful company that provided HR contracting services to major Phoenix area companies.
HR Management/Professional positions with Prudential, American Express and Motorola including responsibility for substantial departmental budgets.
Leadership positions including President of several HR Chapters, AZ State Director of AZSHRM, Treasurer of Oak Creek Water Company, Treasurer of Saddlerock HOA, City of Sedona Personnel Board, etc.
Past Interim Board Member, Sedona Fire District.
Married, 2 grown children
Sedona Full Time resident for last 9 years (regular Sedona visitor last 47 years).
DOUG FITZPATRICK
J.D. Degree, Chicago-Kent Collage of Law
B.A. Degree, Lake Forest College
Business owner responsible for generating income and controlling expenses of a financially successful Law Practice in Sedona and Phoenix.
Public Defender for Lake County, Illinois.
Volunteer Attorney for local and regional non-profit organizations.
Married, 2 grown daughters.
Village of Oak Creek FT resident last 28 years.
TY MONTGOMERY
M.S.N. Degree – Family Nurse Practitioner, University of Phoenix
B.A. – Communications, Simpson College
Business owner responsible for generating income and controlling expenses of a financially successful family medical practice.
Medical Management/Professional positions with North Country Health Center, Verde Valley Medical Center, John C. Lincoln Health Network and Paradise Valley Hospital including responsibility for substantial staffing and organizational issues.
Director of Operations /Business Management, including P&L responsibility for multiple locations of CMP, Inc., a food and beverage company.
Paramedic / Firefighter, PT and On-Call, with Clive Fire Department.
Leadership / Training roles for 3 medical hospitals, selection committees for 3 nursing programs, a medical symposium and critical incident teams.
Married, 3 children
Village of Oak Creek Full Time resident last 6 years.
Thank you, Ty Montgomery! Your essay, published in the Red Rock News (submit for this web site please) couldn’t possibly have been more “spot on!” I grew up believing a person’s income is private business. A “matter of public record” doesn’t necessarily equate to “fit for publication” and your opponents in this election are without class and/or conscience. I appreciate the positions you and your “running mates” express and without question, you have my vote
Sincerely,
Wendy V. Tanzer
Ty Montgomery would like to bring his medical background and firefighting experience to the Sedona Fire District Governing Board.
Montgomery, 42, who is running for one of three seats on the board, moved to the Village of Oak Creek from Phoenix about six years ago. Prior to living in Phoenix, he resided in Iowa for 30 years.
He now owns a family medical practice in the Village of Oak Creek where he works as a nurse practitioner.
Montgomery has a master’s degree in nursing from an Iowa college and is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the Arizona Nursing Association.
Montgomery was a firefighter for 12 years. He worked for a volunteer firefighter department in Iowa that changed into a professional department.
He also worked for a private ambulance company.
Working in the medical field and his prior experience as a firefighter give him some insight his opponents do not have, he said.
Montgomery became a nurse about 10 years ago before becoming a nurse practitioner. He opened his medical practice three years ago.
If elected, Montgomery wants the district to maintain its current service level and restore integrity and ethics to the board.
He also wants the fire district to be fiscally responsible.
Montgomery also believes the community needs a Chapel area fire station, but said tough economic times may dictate what is built.
“I think we have to look at the whole design and structure to come to a cost-effective approach,” he said.
The cost difference between a two-bay or three-bay station would be minimal.
“We need to look at a [station] for a cost of less than $3 million,” he said.
Property taxes, he said, likely will decrease, which would dramatically affect the fire district.
Montgomery also knows from firsthand experience about ambulance privatization pitfalls, since he was employed by one such business while living in Iowa.
“It’s the worst thing Sedona could do,” he said.
The private ambulance service he worked for was more concerned with profits than anything else.
Montgomery said private ambulance companies usually have fewer vehicles to serve the community, causing response times to increase substantially.
He also said private ambulance companies are training grounds for inexperienced employees.
As an example, he pointed to the $10 an hour wage he made while working for a private company. He said the driver of the private ambulance was paid minimum wage.
Montgomery is not opposed to volunteers supporting the Sedona Fire District. However, he said reserves, not volunteers, is what they should be called.
He said reserves could be used to backfill positions and to decrease overtime within the fire district.
However, he said the reserves would need to be trained to ensure they are prepared.
Montgomery said he thinks volunteers or reserves should work 48-hour shifts at one of the fire stations.
By doing this, he said, SFD would have a pool of applicants to pull from for future openings.
He also said the district’s budget will be cut. Battalion chief overtime will also be addressed.
“You are never going to get rid of overtime, but that issue has to be controlled,” he said
Douglas Fitzpatrick, 62, wants to use his background as an attorney to help the Sedona Fire District.
Fitzpatrick, running for an SFD Governing Board seat, moved to the Village of Oak Creek in 1982 from Phoenix. He was born and raised in New Jersey and attended college in Chicago. He graduated from the Kent College of Law in Chicago in 1975 and started practicing law in 1977.
While in law school, Fitzpatrick worked as a private investigator, and he believes this type of work proved to be good experience for his career.
“Getting the facts is important no matter what you do,” he said.
Fitzpatrick said he knows from firsthand experience the district’s importance to the community. He recalled the professionalism and compassion firefighters showed when they arrived to treat his wife, who was in excruciating pain.
If elected, Fitzpatrick would like to decrease overtime firefighters receive. He said the 20,000 overtime hours district employees received in 2009 was way too high.
He said there needs to be a way to change a good percentage of the overtime pay to straight-time pay.
Hiring additional firefighters to work the extra hours could be a solution, he said. However, overtime will always be needed for the district.
“It’s the nature of the beast for the fire district to have a substantial overtime budget,” he said.
Firefighters are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week with mandated staffing requirements, so cutting all overtime would be impossible, he said.
Fitzpatrick said another priority is for the Chapel area station to become a reality.
Although he supports the Chapel area station, his mind is not made up on its size. Building a three-bay station would prepare the district for the future.
Having space to store fire equipment and apparatus is another benefit a station in the Chapel area would provide. Fitzpatrick also said the ladder truck would be at this station due to its central location.
The three-bay station design has been completed. Making another design for a two-bay station would not be cheap, he said.
However, he said, he could be persuaded to vote for a two-bay station.
Fitzpatrick also opposes ambulance privatization because he thinks private companies would be more interested in profits than providing service.
“It is and should be a dead issue,” he said.
Changing to a volunteer fire district would likely not work, Fitzpatrick said. He would keep an open mind to having trained volunteers on hand to help the district.
He is highly skeptical volunteers could provide the same service residents have come to expect from the fire district.
Another goal Fitzpatrick has is decreasing the district’s Insurance Service Office rating by one point. He said doing this would result in a substantial savings to residents in the district, since fire insurance costs would go down.
ISO surveys communities on a regular basis to determine the public protection classification for the fire protection services protecting the community. The classification is used to gauge the ability of a local fire agency to respond to fires and affects homeowner’s insurance rates.
While he has the support and backing of the Sedona Verde Valley Firefighters Association, Fitzpatrick said the majority of his support is coming from the community.
“I am proud to have their support,” he said referring to the firefighter’s union.
When Dick Fishel, 69, decided Sedona was the ideal place to retire from Scottsdale nine years ago, the Sedona Fire District played a huge role in his decision to move to the community.
What he learned about the district was impressive, and this is one reason Fishel is running for a seat on the SFD Governing Board. Fishel wants the district to maintain the same type service it has been providing.
Fishel spent six years in the National Guard Transport Unit before embarking on a career in human relations.
He worked with Motorola for five years, American Express for four years and was the regional human relations manager for Prudential for six years.
He was also the executive vice president for Western Human Resources and Associates.
Fishel purchased a portion of Western Human Resources and Associates and opened up Fishel Human Resources Associates after splitting the company in two.
Working in human relations most of his adult life has convinced Fishel he would be a huge asset to the district in budget matters.
He served on the personnel board for the city of Sedona, was the past treasurer of the Saddlerock Homeowner Association and served as an interim Governing Board member for the Sedona Fire District.
He is also involved in many different human resources organizations.
Fishel said he wants to ensure integrity and honor is returned back to the Governing Board.
He said past actions of two board members did a disservice to the rest of the Governing Board.
He also wants to find a way for the fire district to do more with less.
“I want to make the fire district more efficient and more effective with less revenue,” he said.
Fishel said he wants to continue the measures the fire chief has already implemented, like reducing overtime and its fleet of vehicles.
He said he wants a more efficient fire district while keeping the best fire service and equipment in the state.
The Chapel area station is extremely important. He said the congregation of his church, Christ Lutheran Church, voted to sell the land to the fire district a few years ago with a 55 percent vote.
Whether the station should be two-bay or three-bay still needs to be discussed.
“I understand the reasons for the three-bay station for future expansion, but I do think we are in a different economy right now. We need to review it,” he said.
The timing could never be better to build the station, since construction costs are down, Fishel said.
Fishel also opposes having a total volunteer fire department, but said the volunteers who served the community so well for years have to be thanked for their work.
“It’s a new world out there,” he said. “It’s a whole new ball game.”
There is little question overtime hours are too high, and trained volunteers could be used to decrease these hours, Fishel said.
The budget, he said, is a concern. He was not opposed to several of the cuts made in recent years, but objected to lowering the mill levy rate from $1.55 to $1.45 for the current year and department cuts.
While the Governing Board has a huge responsibility, all board members need to know who is really in charge.
“The taxpayers are the board’s boss,” he said.