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ESTERO FIRE CONTROL & RESCUE DISTRICT

Year founded: 1964

Area of coverage in square miles: 52

Number of stations: 4

Annual budget: $12.75 million

Number of employees: 67

Millage rate: 1.9741

The Estero Fire Control and Rescue District was a volunteer department in 1964, but by 1976 the state of Florida found fit to divide Lee County into official fire districts — giving Estero a little piece of the property tax pie to create and build its own paying department. Though it stayed a volunteer staff for quite some time, by the mid-1990s the district employed 11 full-time firefighters, a training officer, a secretary and a new fire chief. All was looking good for the growing department until January 1997, when then-fire chief Jimmy Wright went to odds with the fire union and convinced the district’s board to fire all its firefighters and hire Wackenhut to fight fires. The move was thought to save the district money, but soon it turned into major headlines with firefighters from across the state picketing in Estero against the move. By August 1997, after numerous resignations, Wackenhut was cut and firefighters were rehired. Now, as the department has grown to staff four fire stations 24 hours a day, the idea of merging with other districts has become the topic of conversation surrounding this year’s Estero Fire Board District election, which will be a part of the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Two seats are open this year. Incumbent Bob Morris in seat 2 will face off against candidate Frank Messana. Richard Schweers, who was appointed to the board by then Governor Lawton Chiles in August 1997, is also up for re-election and is running unopposed for seat 4. The following is a Q&A with the candidates. The Banner will run similar stories for San Carlos Park and Bonita Springs district races in the Sept. 10 and Sept. 13 editions.

SEAT 2

INCUMBENT BOB MORRIS

Place of birth: I was born and grew up in Denton, Texas

Education: Completed high school and I was a trained call man for two years at the fire department in Thousand Oaks, California.

Family: I married my wife Carla in 1957 and we have two children and two grandchildren.

Civic activities: I was the first president of the Estero Chamber of Commerce. I am presently a personal and business member and supporter of the Estero Historical Society.

Hobbies: I am the owner of Rockscapes International and we have been in operation since 1984.

Why are you the best candidate: I am a resident and business owner of the Estero community. I am not retired and not looking for something to fill my time, so the position of commissioner is very serious to me. I vote for lowering taxes and expenditures, as a current board member. We have maintained the best service for the Estero area for several years and are equipped to continue at this level. I will continue to vote for lowering taxes and spending, by the Estero Fire and Rescue.

What are your thoughts on consolidation: Consolidation of Estero, Bonita springs and San Carlos “might” save the tax payer money “if” properly managed. Or it may give the unions more strength to demand higher benefits and wages.

What are your plans for the budget: I have recommended budget cuts and support Chief Vanderbrook in eliminating some management positions and recommend a hiring freeze on all non-essential personnel.

FRANK MESSANA

Place of birth: Florida

Education: Associate of Science in fire science, currently enrolled in Public Administration Bachelor’s program at Edison Community College.

Family: My wife’s name is Andrea and we have a new baby boy Frank Joseph.

Civic activities: I am the vice president of Colonial Oaks homeowners association. I am my subdivision’s primary representative to the Estero Council of community Leaders. I have currently been appointed to Lee County’s affordable housing committee by Commissioner Ray Judah (term 2007-2011).

Hobbies: Offshore fishing and Corvette restoration.

Why are you the best candidate: My entire life has prepared me for the challenges facing our community and the responsibilities of this position. As a fire officer, I have been involved in almost every aspect of fire district operations. I have served on the pension board as a trustee, local consolidation committee, and served as a member/chair of the health insurance advisory committee. These administrative responsibilities in addition to my experience as a professional fire officer enable me to comprehend exactly what is needed to serve the residents of Estero in an efficient and dedicated manner.

What are your thoughts on consolidation: I support pursuing consolidation/merger options to save money and improve services to the taxpayer. I am on the record supporting the Request for Proposal for an independent consultant to determine the feasibility of consolidation.

What are your plans for the budget: Maintain a balanced budget and ensure we live within our current revenue streams without jeopardizing the life safety of our citizens.

SEAT 4

UNOPPOSED RICHARD SCHWEERS

Board member since: August 1997, current chair

Place of birth: Oak Park, Illinois

Education: High school and some college

Family: Wife Shirley, three adult children and 10 grandchildren.

Hobbies: Running and being a member of the Board of the Notre Dame Club of Lee County, of which I am a past president and currently secretary and football game watch coordinator. I’m also active in several ministries with Our Lady of Light Catholic Community.

Why are you the best candidate: Because of my years of experience on the board and my dedication to the Estero community and Estero Fire Rescue (EFR). Have also been involved with the Estero Council of Community Leaders, the Estero Chamber of Commerce and the Estero Historical Society.

What are your thoughts on consolidation: I have felt for some time that we, San Carlos Park and Bonita Springs Fire Districts should be looking at the potential benefits of consolidation — whether it be functional or a full merger — if it can be determined that the three communities will benefit from this decision. I have never agreed with the suggestion of merging all 17 fire districts in Lee County as there are just too many differences to be able to resolve in an efficient manner.

However, our three districts have been working together even before the consolidation process was even suggested. We are continuing to combine functions that will save taxpayer dollars plus provide faster and more efficient service. Time will tell how well this will all shake out.

What are your plans for the budget: We are all cognizant of all of our wishes to keep taxes as low as possible without sacrificing essential services, and we have followed that philosophy since I first joined the board back in 1997.

We literally built from the ground up since 1997 following the debacle of a failed attempt to privatize using Wackenhut. I was appointed to the board by then-Governor Lawton Chiles.

We inherited a debt approaching $750,000 and a millage rate of 2.00 ($2 tax for every $1,000 of taxable property value). Rapid growth required us to move fast as we spent several years trying to catch up. We were able to build four new stations, purchase seven new fire trucks and other necessary vehicles and equipment as our number of employees was reaching our total of near 70 today. A loan plus impact fees enabled us to accomplish all of this, which includes our long awaited first ever administration building which we just moved into last month.

The covenants of our loan require us to have funding in our reserve account to cover the amount due next year. Consequently our proposed millage for the coming fiscal year is 1.9741, as opposed to 1.768 last year. We have never exceeded the 2.00 millage rate in our entire history.