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New Fire Chief

 

WMFPD Fire Chief Jeremiah Coleman

by Fred Hernandez

Young blood flows through the Wet Mountain Fire District as the new fire chief takes command of his organization. After a year as assistant to the outgoing fire department boss, Jeremiah Coleman, from a well known family in the valley, took over as Fire Chief with the departure of the former officer. Jeremiah had been serving in the Board of Directors of the fire department since 2018 and that experience plus the eleven years he has been serving as a firefighter volunteer gives him the necessary credentials to effectively manage and lead the Custer County firefighting team. Continue reading New Fire Chief →

2018

Incumbents Win Big in Clinic Board Election, Tonsing and Virden Grab the Two Spots on Fire Board

by George Gramlich
In the biggest voter turnout in the history of the West Custer Hospital District Board, all four incumbents easily beat the challengers from the “Patients First” slate for the four open slots on the District’s Board. There were lines at the Custer County Courthouse all day long as the citizens re-elected the current board members, Janet Candelaria (625 votes) and Bob Tobin (621) to the Clinic Board for four-year terms over Patients First candidates Mike Haga (217) and David Brothers (214). Similarly, incumbents Ann Evans (590) and Bob Weisenbach (574) easily defeated challengers Ann Barthrop (196), Larry Luikart (164) and Mike Kienbusch (163) for the two open two-year Board positions.
The first ever high-profile campaign for the Clinic Board was highlighted by mailed flyers from both camps, newspaper ads and multiple community meetings. Apparently the Patients First message of a poorly managed clinic, no full-time doctors on staff, and a chronic lack of second ambulance availability did not resonate with the voters of Custer County who voted to keep the current Board in office. Hopefully, the new Board will somehow address these issues in the future.
There were two open positions up for election on the Wet Mountain Fire Protection District Board with four candidates vying for the slots. The two winners were ex Fire Chief Henry (Dave) Tonsing (430 votes) and Scott Virden (310). Coming up short were Jeremiah Coleman (190) and James Lewis (140). Voter results subject to certification by the Secretary of State.
The Sentinel would like to thank all the candidates and supporters on both District elections for running excellent, open and informative campaigns. A light shining on our government is always welcome.

2018

Interviews: Candidates for The Wet Mountain Fire District Board

(Editor/GG: There are two board positions up for grabs on Wet Mountain Fire Protection District Board come Election Day, May 8th. There are four candidates running for the two positions, Jeremiah Coleman, Dave Tonsing, Scott Virden and Jim Lewis. Below are interviews with Coleman, Tonsing and Virden. Lewis failed to respond to contact attempts. The election will be May 8th, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., AT THE FIRE HOUSE. Unless you get an absentee ballot ahead of time, you must go to the Fire House to vote.)

INTERVIEWS:

by Fred Hernandez Continue reading Interviews: Candidates for The Wet Mountain Fire District Board →

2017, Archives

Wet Mountain Fire Announces New Training Officer

WMFPD Fire Fighter Lieutenant Jonathan Rafferty.

 

Press Release
Teri Munson, District Clerk, WMFPD
At their November Board Meeting, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to accept the application of Fire Fighter Lieutenant Jonathan Rafferty.
Rafferty had been the Assistant Trainer to Captain Scott Virden, who previously held the position for the past three years.
“In the fire service, training is recognized as the most important part of any department, in that it hones the ability to respond efficiently and most importantly, safely,” said Chief Dave Tonsing. “We take it very seriously, because people’s lives depend on it,” he added.
The Board and Command Staff felt that Lt. Rafferty would be the logical choice because of his prior experience as Assistant Training Officer and because of his shown natural teaching skills during previous years Fire Safety Days for Custer County School in October. Lt. Rafferty will be assuming the position immediately.