Politics & Government

Live Updates from Fire Commissioners Forum

Event tonight at 7 p.m. at East Dover Fire House

At 7 p.m. Thursday at East Dover Fire House, candidates for the two fire districts of Toms River are meeting to discuss the budget and candidates.

The election is Saturday, Feb. 18.

Two fire district tax rates and fire commissioner's seats will be in voters hands.

Find out what's happening in Toms Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Toms River Patch will be providing live updates from tonight's candidates forum.

Stay tuned at 7 p.m. as the event begins.

Find out what's happening in Toms Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

7:15 p.m. update: Tonight's event has about 50 attendees in the audience, including members of the public and volunteers across the six fire districts.

7:17 p.m. update: District 2 candidate Jason Wallace told Toms River Patch he has a prior commitment that conflicts with tonight's meeting but welcomed anyone with questions about his candidacy to reach out to him.

District 2 candidates Alexander Wyatt Earp and Don Lombardi Jr. and District 1 candidate Rayman Latshaw did not attend. Earp's father, Wyatt Earp, spoke on his behalf and explained Alexander was in class tonight but thanked the organizers for putting together the event, and that Alexander was looking forward to see volunteers and administration and community come together.

7:20 p.m. Each candidate is outlining their history with fire service. Rich Heroy, a former chief and challenger in District 2, is here, as well as District 2 incumbent Ken Taylor and District 1 incumbent Doug Foley. Pleasant Plains officer Kevin Britton is here representing incumbent Tom McCann.

7:30 p.m. Questions so far have been to clarify the background of the candidates and to explain the terms and when they expire.

7:35 p.m.: One question asked for more insight as to how the District 1 Decemember referendum could have been better publicized. Foley, the only District 1 commissioner on tonight's panel, said that he was out of town on referendum day but explained the procedure for running or publicizing an election.

7:37 p.m.: The question of whether or not the candidates think voters should support the budget questions on Saturday's ballot. Taylor and Foley urged voters to approve their respective district's budget.

Taylor said District 2 works hard to keep budgets low, regularly applies for grants, and that the District 2 budget is going down this year.

Foley said District 1 also regularly applies for grants, and that the budget includes funding not just for firehouse equipment but also the fire academy and fire prevention bureau.

7:40 p.m. Candidate Tom McCann has arrived and introduced himself to the audience.

7:50 p.m. The District 1 budget has a $2.5 million surplus, which Foley explained will fund a truck replacement and other expenditures, such as an emergency generator. After that the surplus is closer to $800,000, Foley said. "We do that in case of a catastrophic event," Foley said.

8:10 p.m. The event ended after several incumbent supporters addressed the audience, sharing their views on district operations and the character of the candidates.

In all about a dozen attendees spoke or asked questions of the candidates, and afterward the audience and candidates stayed around for the chance to discuss further.


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