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Uploaded: Tuesday, October 23, 2012, 4:23 PM
Family links complicate race for San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District Board
Three linked by blood or marriage to union members
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by Glenn Wohltmann
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 | Five candidates are vying for three seats on the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District's Board of Directors.
And, according to reports, three of the five have family ties to the firefighters union, which is currently in negotiations for a new contract.
Danville resident Matt Stamey, whose resume describes him as a retired general manager of a Fortune 500 corporation, is the only incumbent seeking reelection. Two others, Roxanne Lindsay and Tom Linari opted not to seek another term, opening the way for two newcomers.
Also running are Alameda County Fire Captain Gordon Dakin, a Danville resident; veterinarian H. Jay Kerr of San Ramon; Stephen Mohun, a certified public accountant who lives in Alamo and Gerardo Peniche, who works in information technology at Chevron and lives in San Ramon.
But reports say Dakin, Mohun and Peniche all have links to the Board through family: Dakin is cousin to Matt Dakin, a member of the union's executive board; Mike Mohun, president of the firefighters union, is the brother of Stephen Mohun and Peniche is related through marriage to firefighter Erick Hubbard.
All three have received the endorsement of the International Association of Firefighters Local 3546, the union that represents firefighters in the San Ramon Valley district.
Adding another level of complications, reports said, is that the Board of Directors is in negotiations with the union and that the district has been using reserves to balance its budget, with salaries and pensions making up the largest portion.
Kerr and Stamey are the only two candidates who have filed voter information documents with Smart Voter, the election site maintained by the League of Women Voters.
Kerr's position paper filed with Smart Voter stated he is committed to maintaining services while balancing the budget without raising taxes, presumably by holding the line on pay increases for firefighters.
Stamey's goals for the fire district include "a balanced budget, no parcel taxes, and a policy of fiscal responsibility." He said in his statement that he wants to maintain public safety "while keeping retirement costs at a sustainable level."
The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District employs 190 people and maintains 10 fire stations, although one of the is staffed by volunteers. It provides fire, rescue and emergency medical services in Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, Diablo, San Ramon, the Tassajara Valley and part of the Morgan Territory.Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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Posted by BS, a resident of Alamo, on Oct 23, 2012 at 4:54 pm How is this legal? There must be conflict of interest laws that prevent family members from voting on pay and benefit of relatives. Supervisor Anderson please look at what is happening in our fire department. How can Chevron allow an employee to be against the interest of the community. This is why taxpayers will never vote for more taxes. The union president;s brother is going to be oin the governing board? Sure, let me pay more taxes to help those two crooks. Those union signs with those three names literally make me sick to my stomach. What can we do? Glenn Woltmann please find out more. Is this really all true? Help us.
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Posted by Rob, a resident of Blackhawk, on Oct 23, 2012 at 5:03 pm This State is doomed.
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Posted by mloliver, a resident of San Ramon, on Oct 23, 2012 at 7:00 pm In an editorial a few days ago, The Contra Costa Times took a very unusual stance. They recommended voters only select Kerr and Stamey, and not selecting a third candidate. I agree.
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Posted by Mike, a resident of San Ramon, on Oct 24, 2012 at 7:24 am The firefighters have declared war on this community. Vote no on their property tax (Q) yes on proposition 32 and reject their despicable puppet board members (Dakin, Mohun, Peniche).
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Posted by DR, a resident of San Ramon, on Oct 24, 2012 at 4:33 pm I've said this before but it warrants repeating, these San Ramon guys (3546) are not representative of other firefighters or of the fire service in general. They are taking us all down with them. Don't lump us all together. Contra Costa County Firefighters are totally and completely separate from these clowns.
Go Giants!
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Posted by Hellfire, a resident of Danville, on Oct 25, 2012 at 8:38 pm SCUM+BAGS
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Posted by 55, a resident of Danville, on Oct 26, 2012 at 8:37 am What genius green-lighted this abortion? Is the union president Homer Simpson? Doh! Might be time for a leadership change. Need to get outside the station more. Talk to your neighbors, watch the news, that kind of stuff. #clueless
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Posted by Shawn, a resident of San Ramon, on Oct 26, 2012 at 5:48 pm Just to complicate things even more, it turns out Matt Stamey is the Chairman of Pulse-point now. This is same company that was developed by San Ramon Fire using public funds by their Chief. I hope this "non-profit," doesn't end up paying him or the Chief.
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Posted by Steven, a resident of Danville, on Oct 26, 2012 at 10:43 pm As a transplant from Chicago familiar with the political dealings in the city and Cook County, these candidates are making me feel right at home.
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Posted by BS, a resident of Alamo, on Oct 27, 2012 at 1:31 pm Two of these j'asses were at Lucky's passing out their union propaganda but wisely didn't approach me. Would have been an ugly scene. They seem focused on little old ladies and other easy marks. Same MO as pickpockets.
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Posted by Buster, a resident of San Ramon, on Oct 28, 2012 at 8:42 pm This story has so many layers it will make your head spin. I heard these firefighters picked a fight with their Chief and the Fire Board when they blocked his attempt to double the salary him and his second in command last year.
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Posted by Longtime Resident, a resident of San Ramon, on Oct 30, 2012 at 7:52 pm Mike, Measure Q is for Contra Costa Fire, not San Ramon. Other than that, the whole thing stinks.
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Posted by Bob P, a resident of another community, on Oct 31, 2012 at 6:38 am While I agree that this whole thing stinks, I feel it's important to not taint the whole organization by the actions of a few. The SRVFPD has some very dedicated professionals who work to provide excellent service. The Districts service levels and response times have always been what distinguishes them from other service providers.
The move of the Board of Directors toward union control has been happening for a while. This is alarming, however, the real issue will be when the District becomes financially insolvent and service levels begin to drop. I think when this occurs, there will be a purge of the union from leadership.
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