Ballots for the Nov. 4 election will be mailed out next week, on Oct. 6. In preparation, we’ve invited candidates for local office to participate in written interviews on their vision, goals, background and qualifications in a series we’re calling “Meet the Candidates.”
Gold Mountain Community Services District is responsible for fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical, retail water delivery and wastewater collection and disposal, according to its website. Fire and emergency services are provided through a contract with the city of Portola.
Five candidates are running for three vacant board seats, each with a four-year term. We asked them to describe their inspiration, priorities, and expertise. Their responses appear in alphabetical order by family name.
Richard Aiple, resort general manager, Nakoma
1. What inspired you to run for the Gold Mountain CSD board?
As a resident and property owner in the Nakoma community for seven years, I have had time to understand how utilities are served to community residents. Now, with an idea of the Gold Mountain CSD’s responsibilities and what services community residents are paying for, I want to be involved in the future direction of the organization so its operations and finances are in the best possible position for the future.
2. What do you see as the top priorities for the CSD in your district over the next term?
One is to ensure that water service is secure for existing residents into the future, as well as developing water supply, such as new wells. That will allow us to plan for and serve approved residential growth. Another priority is to make sure the CSD is involved in wildfire mitigation planning to the greatest extent possible.
3. What expertise will you bring to the role of CSD board member? What makes you a good fit?
My career has spanned 30 years, including managing large homeowner associations as well as hospitality operations. As I mentioned, I’ve lived in the Nakoma community for a number of years now and believe I have a strong overview of not only what the charge of the Gold Mountain CSD is, but also a solid understanding and feel for Plumas County and how special districts here are mandated to conduct public business under California law.
Gordon Bennie, engineer, Clio
Gordon Bennie did not respond to requests.
Richard Pairish, project manager
Richard Pairish did not respond to requests.
Patricia Ryan, resident/retiree/appointed incumbent director, Gold Mountain/Nakoma
1. What inspired you to run for the Gold Mountain CSD board?
Concern regarding the importance of current issues facing the CSD, the knowledge that I can make a difference, and I have the time and energy to apply to the position.
2. What do you see as the top priorities for the CSD in your district over the next term?
I believe the top priorities for the next term are wastewater disposal, water service reliability and adequate water storage for fire protection.
3. What expertise will you bring to the role of CSD board member? What makes you a good fit?
Through volunteer and paid employment, I have developed strong communication and interpersonal skills and am an experienced leader and manager in policy development and oversight, meeting management and facilitation, drafting and setting policies and procedures, crafting budgets and making informed financial decisions.
Volunteer positions
- Director, Eastern Plumas Chamber of Commerce board of directors (Lost Sierra Chamber of Commerce)
- Volunteer wildland firefighter Type 2, Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District
- Member, Gold Mountain Community Services District Community Brigade
- Chairperson and organizer, Portola Railroad Days Festival (seven years)
- Director, Gold Mountain Homeowner’s Association; association treasurer
- Member, Gold Mountain Design Review Committee, including chairperson
Employment
- County of San Diego (10 years: administrative analyst, office of fire services, sheriff’s office)
- 30-plus years as a professional analyst in the defense and transportation industry
In my 14 years as a full-time resident in the district, I’ve observed the growth in our community. The CSD hasn’t experienced any significant issues due to our experienced staff and invested members of our board of directors. As a retiree, I can devote the time needed to continue their efforts. As a district, we need to provide essential services to our customers, ensure adequate infrastructure and services are in place to accommodate new residents and businesses, without sacrificing services to existing customers. We need to give thoughtful consideration to the recommendations in our five-year plan and develop appropriate strategies and funding to improve water service and delivery and wastewater disposal through optimized monitoring, additional storage tanks, bringing additional wells online, expanding community leachfields, and ultimately, a wastewater treatment facility. I have the time, knowledge, background, and experience to make a positive impact on the board.
Rene St. Pierre, chief financial officer at a small aviation company, Clio
1. What inspired you to run for the Gold Mountain CSD board?
Just weeks after the 2006 purchase of our Gold Mountain home, two GMCSD board members drove to meet me in Reno to tell me that the GM community really needed my help. Not only did they need my skills and knowledge of finance, they wanted my practical ability with water, sewage and fire. Would I consider joining the GMCSD board as finance director? A year earlier Plumas County required that the Gold Mountain CSD manage their own affairs with zero dollars and no tax sharing. Although I was working as CFO of a small aviation company, I had spent about 10 years as a volunteer fireman in Meadow Valley and had a full-time tax practice. I could not turn them down! The people and the calling to a community in crisis pulled me in. What pulls me now is my historical knowledge of what works and doesn’t work to make this community strong financially and practically, starting from limited to abundant resources.
2. What do you see as the top priorities for the CSD in your district over the next term?
As our community continues to grow, we will need to start working at expanding our infrastructure with fire, water and sewer. The needs for expansion in CSD are great and our choice of board members crucial. It matters that we make sound policies that involve the entire community. We are all in this together, whether it’s the developer (commercial), residential homeowner or a lot owner. To make this a great community for years to come requires cohesiveness and transparency.
3. What expertise will you bring to the role of CSD board member? What makes you a good fit?
I have seen this development grow from nothing back in 1996, to explode in 1999 through about 2003, then experience a slow downward course until the bankruptcy in 2007. So I became part of the GMCSD when this development was in bankruptcy and witnessed firsthand what really happens when a community all works together to become solvent. As an example, I remember when the homeowners association and the CSD worked in the same offices. We worked together to solve the big issues within this development. My goal now is to bring back more community involvement, upgrade to a better, more modern infrastructure and maintain wise financial investments. I believe this is one of the greatest communities in northern California. I would like to keep it that way!
