New station crucial to Fire District 1 candidates

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Three candidates -- Craig Chronister, John Kobli and Mary O'Dell -- are vying to become the newest commissioner on the board for Yakima County Fire District 1.

The top two vote-getters in the Aug. 18 primary will advance to the general election.

The ultimate winner will serve a six-year term, filling the seat vacated by Rusty Tillett, who resigned earlier this year.

The district, recently renamed the Highland Fire District, has about two dozen volunteers, including Chief Sam Glanzer.

The commission chose the Highland name as part of an effort to highlight that the Cowiche-Tieton area is served by a single fire district. Glanzer, the former Cowiche chief, now heads the entire district since the departure of Tieton Chief Gary Weaver last year.

For years, the district has dealt with a divide between Cowiche and Tieton firefighters, but officials say they are trying to move forward as a single unit.

Within the next few years, the district hopes to replace the Cowiche station, built in 1948, either through a grant or a voter-approved tax.

The building is too small to house modern fire equipment, is equipped with old wiring and has other problems related to its age, Glanzer said.

The Tieton station was built more recently, he said.

All three candidates say they want to be involved in constructing the new station.

Craig Chronister

Chronister said he decided to run for the seat because most of his community service work has been through his church.

"I just wanted to do something more in the general public," he said, adding that he considers the fire department a vital part of the community.

He would like to be involved in building the new fire station.

Chronister said he believes his business experience and background in managing large building projects would be helpful to the district. As a taxpayer, he said, he wants to make sure residents are being served by the best possible department allowed within the budget.

"I just want to go into it with the idea we will do things right, period," Chronister said.

Age: 53

Occupation: fieldman for Cowiche Growers

Previously held elected office: None

Education: Associate's degree from Yakima Valley Community College and attended a few quarters at Central Washington University

John Kobli

Kobli, who grew up in the district, has been a Highland firefighter for 28 years, including time as a lieutenant and assistant chief.

He wants to continue the progress he sees toward reinforcing the connection between Cowiche and Tieton firefighters.

"We are really moving forward with that. Everybody is working together," Kobli said.

He has been attending commission meetings for the past two years and said he would look forward to working with the other two commissioners.

If Kobli is elected as a commissioner, his colleagues would have to approve whether to let him remain on the department as a firefighter. That's what he wants to do, but state law requires the vote.

Age: 58

Occupation: Truck driver and orchard owner

Previously held elected office: None

Education: Graduated from Highland High School in 1970

Mary O'Dell

O'Dell said she decided to run partly because Tillett suggested she should consider becoming involved in the district, where she has lived for 10 years. Her husband is Chris O'Dell, the fire chief in Naches Heights.

She wants to keep the district moving forward and said she would bring a range of experience to the position. She is a disabled veteran with a background in finance during her Army career and is also an emergency medical technician with the Naches Heights district.

"I have a little bit of knowledge all the way around for them," she said.

Age: 41

Occupation: Commercial property manager and office manager, dispatcher for Advanced Life Systems ambulance service in Yakima.

Previously held elected office: None

Education: Attended Yakima Valley Community College in business and accounting and earned certification in computer training.

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