Fire commissioners fill vacant seat
With the resignation of Commissioner Bob Elder, the MPIFCD board of commissioners have spent several weeks going over applications submitted by those interested in filling the vacancy on the board. At a recent meeting, the commissioners announced its selection to fulfill the remainder of Elder’s term. Taking a seat on the board will be island resident and attorney K. Matthew Ristau.
Residing originally in Illinois, Ristau is a graduate of Arizona State University and received his orthotic practitioner long-term certificate in Minnesota. He also graduated from William Mitchell College of Law and is currently practicing law in Florida state and federal courts.
Each of the potential candidates were provided with a list of questions. The questions posed to each who submitted an application for the appointment were the same and when Ristau was asked what he thought was the most important issue facing the district, he responded by saying his biggest concern was the anticipation of further decline in assessed property values and how it would affect the budget for the district.
The candidates also were asked to provide a solution to their concern.
“While I am not positive at this time as to how I will react in 12 months, I am certain that if I’m allowed to sit on this board, I will be able to use my judgement, my knowledge as an attorney and my negotiating skills to interact with the existing board to resolve a financial crisis as well as staffing strategies,” said Ristau.
On a similar subject with regard to assessed property tax base, Ristau said, “Cost cutting is the most logical answer, however when you talk about cost cutting for a service that protects the human life, caution must be placed first. I feel that research into grants can be instituted, asking the community to volunteer time and or services is a prospect. Communications with the taxpayers will be essential during times of short falls in budget forecasting.”
As for his goals, Ristau said that he agrees with the establishment of a new station on the Matlacha side of the district and feels his ability to negotiate will help long-term planning for the anticipated growth of the district. He also said staffing and the replacement of the soon-to-retire Chief David Bradley are very important.
When asked which issues were most important in his opinion, Ristau expressed that maintaining a stable, high quality workforce and pushing the district leadership and personnel to become more visible and involved in the community are vital.
“The leadership that is chosen to administer the district’s day to day operation is pivitol. Our district offers many challenges to a new chief and I feel the response to our call will bring more than several opportunities to bring someone in who will have the practical knowledge and an ability to help guide this board into the challenging years ahead of us,” said Ristau. “Pushing the districts leadership and personnel to become more visible and involved in our community speaks for itself,” he continued. “While our first challenge is to save lives and property, our next role is to be our own type of chamber of commerce/community center — a place where the public feels comfortable, a place and face the public knows and trusts. A list starting with the districts appearance at public meetings and including our own firefighters speaking at public events is just one example of how this can be accomplished.”
Ristau will serve a two-year term on the Matlacha-Pine Island Fire Control District Board of Commissioners.