San Mateo County Coastside Fire Protection District Recall Ends
Spring has come to San Mateo County but the local electoral politics remain hot despite the moderate temperatures of the Peninsula. April 9 saw the dramatic conclusion to a months-long process to recall three sitting board members of the San Mateo County Coastside Fire Protection District. When the recall embers finally dimmed, voters in the coastside district opted to remove the sitting members by a nearly two to one vote. This district provides the fire protection services for the 30,000 residents of the City of Half Moon Bay and the unincorporated communities of Montara, Moss Beach, Princeton, El Granada and Miramar.
Spring has come to San Mateo County but the local electoral politics remain hot despite the moderate temperatures of the Peninsula. April 9 saw the dramatic conclusion to a months-long process to recall three sitting board members of the San Mateo County Coastside Fire Protection District. When the recall embers finally dimmed, voters in the coastside district opted to remove the sitting members by a nearly two to one vote. This district provides the fire protection services for the 30,000 residents of the City of Half Moon Bay and the unincorporated communities of Montara, Moss Beach, Princeton, El Granada and Miramar.
The three recalled members of the board of directors include Michael Alifano, Doug Mackintosh and Gary Riddell. The three newly installed board members include Karen K. Anderson, J. B. Cockrell, and Harvey Rarback.
The battle over the fire district revolved around the now former board members’ desire to reconstitute a local fire district and remove Cal Fire, the fire agency of the State of California, as the contracted provider of fire protection services. Opposed to the idea of turning back the clock to what many perceived to be a less functional department through a process that the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury lambasted as both unwise from a management perspective and a potential financial risk for district taxpayers, local residents launched a recall petition drive last summer.
The results of the efforts were significant as voters overwhelmingly cast ballots in favor of recalling the three sitting board members opposed to Cal Fire. In fact, turnout for the off-time Special Election was 46% - which is not a turnout to celebrate but for an election with a singular purpose in April, somewhat remarkable. The new board members will take their seats in the next couple of weeks and begin the process of continuing a contract with Cal Fire.
San Mateo County Community College District Seat Vacancy
In addition to elections, some seats in public office are filled through appointment to fill an unexpected vacancy.
As of May 1, the San Mateo County Community College District will have such a vacancy with the resignation of veteran board member Helen Hausman. The Community College District includes three junior colleges in San Mateo: Skyline College, the College of San Mateo and CaƱada College.
Hausman has served on the College District board since 1989 for a total of nearly 24 years. Her seat will be on the ballot in the November General Election. Prior to being elected to the College District board Hausman served for 13 years on the Sequoia Union High School District Board, making her one of the longest serving local elected officials in San Mateo County. Hausman cited some health challenges for her decision to retire early.
The vacancy on the board is a rare opportunity for a potential new board member to take a seat as turnover is rare.
In the last set of board elections in 2011, trustee Dave Mandelkern, who is the newcomer, easily won his third four-year term. Also winning their respective seats were veteran incumbents Pat Miljanich and Karen Schwarz who are now serving their fifth terms. Fellow board member Richard Holober was elected in 1997 and is currently in the middle of his fourth term.
Hausman's departure presents a couple of interesting dilemmas for her colleagues including whether or not to appoint Hausman's replacement or call a Special election in advance of November 2013. In addition, the board was nearing adoption of district elections to replace the at-large system by which board members are now elected. That process has been delayed and a potential new district board member may have a voice in that significant change.
San Bruno Park Elementary School Board Vacancy
Another local veteran Skip Henderson on the San Bruno Park Elementary School District Board of Trustees has also announced his early retirement due to health concerns, effective May 1, the same day as Hausman. Henderson is now serving his eighth term in local office for a total of 31 years. The San Bruno Park Elementary School District is one of the oldest elementary districts in San Mateo County, and began operation in 1906.
The San Bruno School Board has faced many challenges in the past few years and any replacement will be faced with many difficult decisions. The board has made the decision of selecting an interim trustee until November, when it expires. If anyone is interested in applying for the seat, information can be found on the district website according to the Superintendent David Hunt. You can apply as of May 1.
There are few quiet moments even in local politics.



