As the upcoming local election approaches, voters in the community have a crucial decision to make regarding the leadership of their emergency services. The Mosquito Fire Protection District (MFPD) Board of Directors has open seats, prompting several dedicated candidates to step forward with their distinct visions for the district’s future. Featured below are the official candidate statements from Meredith Blain, Trent Williams, and James “Scott” Laing, alongside a profile for incumbent candidate William M. Buhnerkempe. Endorsed by The Sentinel for their independent thinking and primary desire to serve, each of these individuals brings a unique blend of public administration, emergency response, forest service, and business management experience to the table. Review their statements below to learn more about their qualifications, commitments to fiscal oversight, and plans for keeping the local community safe.
Candidate Statement: Meredith Blain
I respectfully ask for your vote to serve on the Mosquito Fire Protection District Board of Directors. I believe the Board’s role is to set and evaluate policy, provide responsible fiscal oversight, and hire and retain qualified leadership. My public administration and organizational experience bring strong qualifications to this position. As a volunteer Grant Administrator for MFPD, I prepared reimbursements recovering more than $800,000 in grant funding for MFPD. During my 30-year career with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, I served in several roles: Administrative Assistant to the Court Executive, Secretary to a Federal Judge, and Procurement Clerk overseeing purchasing activities and managing projects across nine western states. I have served as a director on several organizational boards and volunteered in roles within my local communities since I was a teenager. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to public service, responsible decision-making, and effective governance. I support shared services with local fire agencies when they improve efficiency, strengthen resources, and benefit our community while preserving emergency response capabilities, and include maintaining a staffed firehouse. If elected, I will promote responsible governance, fiscal accountability, transparency, and respect for the distinct roles of the Board and Fire Chief.
Candidate Statement: Trent Williams
As an appointed incumbent, I bring extensive experience in safety management, emergency response, and facility oversight to the Mosquito Fire Protection District. My professional background includes managing the Safety and Environmental Department for a 1.5-million-square-foot defense systems plant, ensuring regulatory compliance, and serving as Plant Emergency Response Incident Commander. I have continued this work locally through eight years of direct support to MFPD, leading critical infrastructure and fire-protection projects and helping ensure our station remains ready to serve. These activities included providing leadership for the Support Group for six years, guiding the group through CERT training and certification of its members. I am committed to strengthening firefighter recruitment, maintaining district facilities, and ensuring reliable, effective medical and fire-protection services for our community. I respectfully ask for your support to continue serving with integrity and dedication.
Candidate Statement: James “Scott” Laing
Thank you for the opportunity to serve the Mosquito community as a MFPD Director. I would like to bring cohesion and confidence between the fire department and the community. I grew up in a small town in the Sierra Nevada’s (Twain Harte) , so I understand the needs and obstacles of a community looking for leadership. Bringing everyone together and building trust is essential. I have worked for the US forest service as a “Hot Shot”, Hand Crew, and Engineer on an Engine crew for 5 years. I understand the complexities of fire and the need for qualified, trusted people to protect us. Assisting in hiring them will be my primary goal. I have raised two children that work in the Fire/Law Enforcement field and have dedicated themselves to serving others. I have been the CEO of a successful “Energy Management Company” for the last 25 years and have established trust with my customers by being fair and aware of their needs. I understand that fire and leadership are serious issues in Mosquito. The people count on us to help protect their homes and Families. If elected, I will be very aware of that during my tenure. My position is to honor the “Entire” community and not just a small group. I will humbly serve and protect this great community!
William M. Buhnerkempe is running for the two year term on the MFPD Board. Bill is an incumbent MFPD board member who has served on the MFPD budget committee. Bill is a former Deputy with the Alameda County Sheriff’s office.
The Sentinel supports the candidates above, and notes that each is an independent thinker with a primary desire to serve their community. Each brings their own unique experience and qualifications as candidates to serve on the MFPD Board of Directors.
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