Four candidates are running for two commissioner positions in the Spencerport Fire District. One commissioner term is a five year term and the other a three year term.
Running for the five year position
In response to emailed questions, Dave Spencer wrote: “I became a firefighter with Spencerport in March 1977 and I have 36 years as a firefighter, plus four as an Explorer. I achieved the rank of Lieutenant in 1980, and advanced through Captain, Asst. Chief, Deputy Chief, and made Chief in 1996 and served to the end of 1998.
Spencer became a commissioner in 2004, replacing Don Magin, and has served since then. He has completed the N.Y.S. Fire District Commissioner training twice.
Spencer and his wife Paula have two sons and a daughter. He is a life-long Spencerport resident. “I am running for re-election because I have enjoyed most all my time as Commissioner and am very proud of our operation. We have the lowest tax rate in western Monroe County while having very good equipment and people. The fire district and firemen’s association have a very good working relationship and we are one of very few who actually have a waiting list to become members. I value our organization very highly,” Spencer wrote.
Spencer has a college degree in fire protection technology and has years of budget experience and says he developed budgets while serving as chief and has been involved with budgets and special projects such as apparatus purchases and the updating of Station 3. “I have tried to keep a good working relationship with other government bodies and emergency service organizations. I am proud of our organization and wish to continue to work on its continued success.” Spencer wrote.
Millard David Fairley is a life-long resident of Spencerport and a life member of the Spencerport Firemen’s Association. He has 35 years of volunteer firefighter service and 15 years of service as a professional firefighter.
Fairley says firefighting is a family tradition – his father was an Ogden Parma Fire District commissioner for more than 30 years.
“I’ve worked in code enforcement in Ogden for 28 years,” he says. “I’m a long-time resident, I’ve watched what’s going on all those years.”
A graduate of the Monroe Community College Fire Protection Technology Program, Fairley says he is dedicated to providing the best and most cost effective fire protection for the community.
He also notes the strong recruitment and retention of volunteers in the Spencerport Firemen’s Association. “The retention of members is key,” Fairley says. The department has had an Explorer post for 40 years. “Many members come from the Explorer post, it’s a keystone part of recruitment,” he says.
Fairley is married and is a member of several fire and safety organizations, and adds that all four candidates have many attributes and have much to give the community.
Running for the three year position
Tod Ritzenthaler has more than 25 years of service with the Spencerport Fire District including service as a line officer and chief officer. He served as chief from 2011-2012. He is a third generation firefighter in Spencerport.
“I worked hand-in-hand with the committee to create the fire district,” he says. Ritzenthaler says he also has worked closely with commissioners in his capacity as chief on tasks including management and the budget.
“I’ve seen the association grow and know what the membership can do because of my experience as a member and chief,” he says.
Ritzenthaler says he would like to build on the strong foundation the fire district already has and notes that the fire department has a remarkably strong volunteer base.
“We are fortunate,” he says. The association (volunteer firefighters) currently averages 3 to 7 new members every six months, he explains.
Ritzenthaler says he will work to provide quality emergency services with fiscal responsibility if elected. He says the Spencerport Fire District currently has one of the lowest tax rates of any district.
Ritzenthaler is married and has two teenage sons who are active in school sports.
Dave Resch is a life-long resident of Spencerport and a long-time business owner (Resch Automotive).
“It’s time to give something back,” he says regarding his decision to run for fire commissioner. “Although I’ve never been a fireman, I appreciate how they serve the community.”
Resch notes that his business and budget preparation experience has helped to prepare him to take on the roll of fire commissioner.
He says fire district commissioners have an unusual situation in that they are in a voluntary, non-political elected position in the community and also have the ability to levy a tax.
Resch, who is married with two children and four grandchildren, says he is dedicated to proper fire protection at reasonable costs. One son and three grandchildren live in the town.
Voting for the Spencerport Fire District election will take place from 3 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10 at Spencerport Fire Station #1, 175 Lyell Avenue in the village.
12/8/13
