Spokane Valley Fire Commission candidates locked in close races

The races for two Spokane Valley Fire Commission Board seats are too close to call.

Stan Chalich, 73, is leading incumbent Patrick Burch with 49.8 percent of the vote for Spokane Valley Fire Commissioner Position 1. Burch was appointed to the fire board of commissioners in 2016.

Chalich, a retired Central Valley High School teacher, said earlier this month that if elected, he wants to bring a fresh perspective to the fire board while ensuring the safety of citizens and implementing fiscal conservancy with the fire department’s budget.

Two longtime firefighters, with decades of experience are also in a close race for Spokane Valley Fire Commissioner Position 5.

Incumbent William “Bill” Anderson is narrowly leading challenger Larry T. Rider, who was an outspoken critic of the current fire department’s handling of financial resources. Anderson had 51.7 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s count.

Anderson, who has held a seat on the fire board for more than 17 years, said the department has expanded from six fire stations to 10 and has made great changes that he’d like to see continue.