MFPD Board of Director’s Election November 3rd 2026

Community News by Tom Harris

As residents of the Mosquito Fire Protection District (MFPD) may know, the MFPD board has four open seats in the upcoming November 3 rd election: three open seats for the full (4 year) term, and one seat for the short (2 year) term. After attending some recent MFPD board meetings, and reading the recent County Grand Jury report, numerous questions present themselves relative to choosing the right candidates for this board.

The MFPD board meetings that the Sentinel attended were an exercise in frustration and futility. Some attendees came away from this experience with the conclusion that it was a total waste of time. A quick read of the highlights of the Grand Jury report would point out why. 1) There is neither structure to, nor control of the meetings, and 2) the agenda is not followed – to name just two. These items are the specific duties of the board President – to make the agenda, and to control the meetings. At one meeting, it was even suggested by a resident observer, that the board President is under no obligation to follow Robert’s Rules of Order! These rules help organizations run fair, orderly, and democratic meetings, allowing majorities to rule while protecting minority rights. The board President must have accepted the resident’s suggestion, because many subsequent meetings were utter chaos.

Obviously, this board needs a change in leadership. The Sentinel has reviewed the names of candidates running for the four open seats on the MFPD board of directors, and has determined those most likely to affect a positive change on the board, by providing qualified experience and leadership.

For the full (4 year) term:
– Meredith Blain
– Trent Williams
– James “Scott” Laing

For the short (2 year) term:
– Bill Buhnerkempe

In subsequent posts, the Sentinel will provide statements of qualifications and experience by each of these candidates. Most importantly, it’s up to the individual voter to decide, and to do that, one must vote!

(edited for clarity)