CAMP VERDE - In 2010, the Camp Verde Fire District elected its first governing board. For the near five decades prior, a chief and secretary treasurer presided over the fire district. Gwen Gunnell has lived in Camp Verde for close to 50 years. Gunnell, who served the first two years of her term as the boards first chairperson, remembers what it was like to be part of the districts inaugural board. Weve had a good board, Gunnell said. We started out with a lot to do. One of the big accomplishments was being able to move the firefighters into bigger accommodations. Our board really has learned and accomplished a lot. Though the terms of Gunnell, Steve Darby and Dave Curtis expire in November, each will run for re-election on Nov. 4. Camp Verde Fire Chief Terry Keller says he is encouraged that the three board members want to continue their work with CVFD. The board has been very supportive, said Keller, who also is fire chief at Montezuma-Rimrock Fire District. Being responsible to our taxpayers, said Gunnell, is one of the fire boards primary responsibilities. The safety of the men is also a priority, Gunnell said. Its such a balancing act. For the past two years, Darby has served as the boards chairperson. Darby says he looks forward to being re-elected to the board. Its an honor to serve the citizens of my community, said Darby, a graduate of Camp Verde High School. This is my way of using my training and my expertise to give back. Its been a good experience working with the fire board. In 200, Darby retired from his career with the Mesa Fire Department. In 2007, Darby helped start the Fire Science program at CVHS. According to Darby, one of the boards biggest challenges is the districts shrinking tax revenue. Said Darby, Weve had to look at the budget and make it come out at the end of the year. Unfortunately, we had to increase the mil rate. But Chief [Terry] Keller has done a great job putting together the budget. I feel even though we have a shrinking budget, weve managed to not reduce services. CV Bugle
Posted on: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 21:56:05 +0000
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