Political Philosophy for Mary Stompe

Candidate for
Director; Novato Fire Protection District

I am running for Director of the Novato Fire Protection District because I believe I will bring needed skills and experience to the existing Board.

I have extensive experience in government, business and nonprofit organizations. I spent four years as a City of Petaluma Councilmember, served on the City Budget committee where I was responsible for reviewing City Police and Fire services. I worked on a measure for public safety in Petaluma. As a Councilmember, my top priority was public safety. I brought forward the Petaluma Citizen's Police Academy and East Petaluma Police storefront operations. I worked on an improved communication system for Police and Fire.

I am the Controller for Community Action Marin, a $9M social service organization. Prior to that I worked for a $1.2B retail/mail order company as an Accounting Manager. I also teach Finance at a local University.

I serve on the Novato Human Needs Center Board of Directors, I started and serve as President for Christmas in April*Petaluma - a nonprofit that rehabilitates homes for low-income seniors, disabled and families. I have served on other boards and worked with many community organizations in Sonoma and Marin Counties.

As Director, my priorities will be to increase public education and outreach, improve work force diversity (currently there are no women firefighters on staff), review and improve operational efficiency, increase pooled buying of equipment, ensure projects impacting services are fully reviewed by the Board for comments and recommendaitons, review services available for trauma patients and work with other jurisdictions to address this missing service, work to maintain level of service throughout the district and review services to ensure we have appropriate coverage with the new growth throughout the community. I will also work to resolve the pending litigation with the Coast Guard and work with other governmental agencies after the litigation has been decided.

I believe my diverse background managing financing, as a human resources professional, as a University teacher as well as my experience in governnment, my experience in many nonprofit organization, working with diverse gropus will provide a missing link in the representation on the Fire Board.

Thank you for your consideration.