Fire board candidates tout experience

Economic savvy and on-the-job experience are not qualifications unique to presidential candidates or other big-budget office-seekers.

Candidates seeking two open Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District board positions say a firm grasp of budget management and some fire service experiences are key in moving the fire district through some tough economic constraints brought on by static tax revenue.

"It's going to be very important to keep the district solvent," said Fred Weil, an incumbent candidate for the board in Moraga's Division 2. "You only have to look to Vallejo to see what happens if you don't keep a balance."

Weil noted budget mismanagement within the city of Vallejo's fire and police departments, which reportedly led to the city's bankruptcy.

The Moraga-Orinda Fire District formed in 1997 to establish a single, comprehensive fire and paramedic service for Moraga and Orinda.

Bob Nelson, challenging Weil, is retired after 30 years of fire service.

"I think we need people on (the board) that are familiar with the way fire service works," Nelson said.

Though Nelson believes current trustees and other challengers don't understand how to make decisions in taxpayers' interest, Weil disagrees.

"I'm not getting contribution from anybody because I represent the community," said Weil, whose campaign budget totals $1,000 of his own money. "That's an important distinction."

Campaign statements for Nelson show Advertisementonly a $700 contribution, also from his own pocket.

In Orinda, candidates for the board's Division 5 position say practical experience versus community involvement set them apart.

"The single best distinction is that I've been a firefighter for 14 years. (Gene Gottfried) has been a physician," said Brook Mancinelli, a San Francisco firefighter who worked with FEMA response teams after Hurricane Katrina.

Gottfried, Mancinelli's incumbent opponent, said his six years as a director on the board demonstrates his connection with the community.

"(My opponent) would like to get involved in the community," Gottfried said, making comparison to his opponent. "I've long been involved."

Mancinelli said his experiences in the field give him an advantage.

"I know which programs seem to be a little more fluff. I'm more of a nuts and bolts type of guy," he said.

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