Incumbent wants new fire station, lower fees
Published: October 27, 2009
Gus Villarreal smiles with granddaughters Skylar and Madison Jasso.Three men are running for two seats on Hughson Fire Protection District Board of Directors. Incumbents Ray Camagna and Gus Villarreal are facing a challenge from Robert Hedrick Jr. Fire board terms last four years and November 3 is Election Day. Polling places in Hughson are at Hughson Community/Senior Center, 2307 Fourth St. and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 7820 Fox Road. The Chronicle will be featuring each of the candidates in the weeks leading to the election. Below is Gus Villarreal’s interview.
Occupation:
Water distribution for Turlock Irrigation District
Other political positions:
None
Current or past organization memberships/titles:
Current: American Quarter Horse Association and Operating Engineers Local No. 3, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church parishioner.
Past: Hughson Youth Baseball, Hughson Youth Football and Huskies Wrestling Club.
Why are you running for reelection on the fire board?
I was born and raised in Hughson and now I have two granddaughters here and I would like to keep the quality of life here for them.
How long have you been on the board?
Eight years – since July 10, 2001.
What are the most pertinent issues facing the district right now?
Working with the City of Hughson. We need to work together on growth. Another big thing is the budget. With the state wanting to take our money it’s just going to make things harder.
Are there any ideas/projects you’d like to see the board pursue?
I’d like to see us keep the fees low while trying to build a new station house. With the existing Quonset hut, OCEA rules call for so many feet between trucks. They can’t be parked nose to nose. Also, any trucks inside have to have a system that hooks onto the exhaust that cleans the air. They could shut us down if they wanted to. But to comply we need a new station. That station’s been there forever. The new house just to the west of that is just (fire fighter) living quarters.
Age:
51
Family:
Married to Pam, daughter Corina, sons Heath and Casey.
Comments
Or illegally identifying
Or illegally identifying people who voted against a rate increase, and stating quote, we know who they are, unquote.
And has Thom confessed that
And has Thom confessed that it was actually him that stirred up the negative attention on the District, or has he neglected to mention all those nasty emails he sent out.
Who has been using who.
And does this City need more of this kind of leadership.
Does it mean when the
Does it mean when the candidates fail to file you throw Doug and the Crowder machine into action, etc.
Does it include quote, when
Does it include quote, when we get past our election, we'll run our own candidtates for Council and clean house, unquote. (for the way the fire District was embarassed)
Now he wants to work
Now he wants to work ...with.... the City?
Does that include more demands that the City furnish money with quote, no strings attached...or else, unquote.
Then you shouldn't have
Then you shouldn't have wasted all that money on a building you cant use.
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