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Candidates seek seat on Polson Rural Fire Board

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POLSON — Three Polson Rural Fire Board candidates are vying for a seat in the May 3 election, including John Doty, Kevin Straub, and Tracy Plaiss.

John Doty

John Doty has lived in the Mission Valley for 30 years with his wife and six children. He currently owns his own 20-year business, Doty’s Treeworks. He is running for the Polson Rural Fire Board as a concerned citizen who hopes to help support the Department and be a responsible trustee. 

If elected, Doty believes he will bring a fresh perspective to the board.

Doty earned a bachelor’s degree in Forestry and Natural Resource Management from the University of Montana, served as a statewide youth director for the Episcopal Diocese and was the director of a camp and conference center on Flathead Lake. He believes this varied background has taught him much about management, leadership, financial stewardship, consensus building, and conflict resolution. 

Doty would like to approach the position “with an honest and open mind, (by) researching the issues, listening to all sides, asking questions, and educating himself on the board’s bylaws and responsibilities.”

Tracy Plaiss

Tracy L. Plaiss, 45, has lived in Polson with her two daughters for the past 11 years. She currently works in corporate sales, and she has political experience as a Republican Party Precinct Committee woman.

Rebuilding a trusting relationship between all members and management of the rural and city fire departments is an important issue on her list. 

“The rifts caused largely by external forces in the recent past need to be put to rest, so that the departments can move forward cohesively,” she said. 

Supporting the work firefighters do is her top priority.

“Firefighters do what they do solely in the interest of the safety of our community, sometimes at great risk and personal cost,” she said. “They deserve the best support we can give them.”

In the next 10 years, she wants to see the community thrive, and if she is elected, she needs community support and participation.

“With continued growth to be expected in the long and short term, my vision is that with careful planning and implementation of smart solutions, this community can thrive, and have exceptional emergency resources,” Plaiss said.

Kevin Straub

Kevin Straub has lived in the area for about six years with his wife and two daughters, and currently works as the Lieutenant and Training Officer at the Polson Fire Department. He has also volunteered for the Polson Rural Fire District, and is now running for the board.

Straub believes that the most important issues he would address if elected are to ensure that the department evolves into a innovative and progressive department while providing efficient fire protection services to the citizens.

“I would like to see the Rural Fire Board maintain its statutory responsibility of setting the vision for the district, creating and maintaining administrative policies and maintaining its fiduciary duties to the community,” Straub said. 

While Straub has no political experience, he has worked in many capacities, from owning his own business to working as a firefighter and paramedic for other fire departments in and out of Montana. He completed Paramedic School at Central Jackson County Fire Protection District in Missouri. 

If elected to the board, Straub wants citizens to know that he will still need their help by attending Fire Board meetings.

 “While not everyone is able to support the Department by volunteering their time, I would appreciate the community’s support by attending the Board meeting and voicing their opinions and concerns,” Straub said. 

Montechato Fire District candidates George Guth, Douglas Spicher, and Thomas Gingrich will also be on the ballot, but are running unopposed. 

 

 

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