Election Day Presents Voters With 3 Choices In Fire District 8 Race

Voters in Spokane’s Fire District 8 will have three choices for commissioner on election day rather than the traditional two. A third candidate has launched a write-in campaign after deciding to run after the filing deadline.

Incumbent Ralph Schaefer, a certified public accountant, lives in Greenacres. Candidate Del Blaine is a South Hill resident. Write-in candidate Michael Lopez, director of business development for American Medical Response of Washington, lives in Painted Hills.

District 8 serves a section of south Spokane County including Freeman, Glenrose, Painted Hills, Chapel, Valleyford, Mica, Ponderosa, Saltese, Moran and Hangman Hills.

In recent years, the district has faced the threat of losing part of its district through city annexation. Such a move would slash its budget.

In 1995, Spokane’s Plan Commission decided not to annex the 1,560-acre Moran Prairie area, saying it would cost the city too much in routine services such as police and fire to offset any added revenues.

The annexation would have involved about 6,010 residents south of the city, near the Palouse Highway.

The fire district expressed relief at the time, saying such an annexation would effectively cut their $1.1 million budget in half.

“Moran Prairie is 60 percent of our tax base, even if it’s only 15 percent of our area,” said Schaefer.

Schaefer, who has served one six-year term as commissioner, said he’s convinced the annexation could still happen, and would continue lobbying against it.

“So far, we’ve been able to avoid the annexation, or we probably would be looking at full volunteer services,” he said.

Schaefer said he’s proud of the service the district provides. He said he began as commissioner because he wanted to see if he could do something for the community.

“And the fire district really provided an opportunity to do that,” he said. “I’m proud that the district is growing every year, and we have not had to increase taxes.”

The district recently bought two attack engines and two new urban pumpers are coming next year, he said.

Write-in challenger Michael Lopez said he’ll depend on word of mouth to get him elected.

A paramedic and emergency medical technician since 1974, Lopez said people have been urging him to run for years.

“A number of people within the district - neighbors and volunteer firefighters - have asked me to run,” he said. “I’ve been hesitant, but it’s time for me to utilize my skills and knowledge and background. I have a good mix of knowledge of administrative and fiscal responsibilities and EMT knowledge.”

Lopez also served as emergency medical services director for Kootenai County for five years.

He said he would focus on continuing with what he said is a sound district policy and budget.

“The administration in place is doing a fantastic job,” he said. “They deserve the backing and support to be allowed to continue their work.”

Blaine could not be reached for comment.

, DataTimes