Fire service is secure

Concerns about the future of the Jamestown/Rio-Vista Fire District, and the future of fire protection in the Jamestown area, have been answered as three community members have stepped up to serve on the fire district board.

Long-time fire district board members Dave Buller and Patsy Moody brought their concerns to the Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners during the December 17 commission meeting. Buller and Moody shared that the terms of all three board members were set to expire at the beginning of the year, and no one ran for the board during the General Election. They worried that, without any members, the board would be dissolved, and without a board to receive and allocate mill levy funds, the district wouldn't be able to keep paying the City of Green River and Green River Fire Department for fire protection.

The commissioners discussed the option that Buller and Moody could continue to serve until replacements were found, and expressed their hope that community members would be willing to fill the board positions.

In the following weeks, that is exactly what happened. During the January 21 county commissioners meeting, Commission Chairman Keaton West explained that the fire district was able to have a meeting the previous week and that they had three people come forward to fill the open positions. The commissioners then ratified and certified the action that the fire district took in appointing the three new board members.

"I am proud of those individuals for stepping up and helping out a needed service," Chairman West said.

West shared that the three new board members are Daniel Sheddan, Leora Kraft and David Munoz.

West also thanked Dave Buller, who was present at the meeting, for bringing the issue to the county's attention, as well as for "taking the reins" to address it so that it worked out in the end.

"Sounds like you've got some family to continue the bloodline there too," West said to Buller.

Leora Kraft, one of the new board members, is the daughter of Buller. Beyond the family connection, Kraft had multiple reasons for joining the board.

"My involvement came about not just because my dad is David but because my family has always shown me the importance of serving our community and neighbors," Kraft explained. "I also have an extensive background in county budgets and local government operations, making the transition a lot easier."

When Kraft became aware of the potential loss of fire service the community could face without a board, she began talking to neighbors about the need. She "found that they were eager to step up and ensure our community was covered."

The other new board members were invested in serving the community as well. According to Kraft, Daniel Sheddan is a lifetime resident of Jamestown and recently served on the Jamestown/Rio Vista Water Board, and David Munoz is representing the Gannslen ranch community.

"I am deeply grateful to those who have volunteered to ensure services continued as well as those that have safeguarded us and dedicated so many years to make sure we were protected," Kraft said.

The dedication of the previous fire district board members was crucial, according to Kraft, as they provided long-term services that many weren't even aware of.

"Let me just say how awesome it is to live in a community where three dedicated individuals have ensured that we have access to insurance, mortgages, and emergency services for over 40 years, and done such an admirable job that most their community didn't even know the need for a fire board," Kraft said.