Banks Fire District, News, politics

Banks Fire District board will interview three candidates for empty seat

The board of directors of Banks Fire District 13 will meet Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. to interview three finalists for the open seat vacated by the recall of former board Chair Mark Schmidlin. 

A public records request from the Banks Post found that five people originally filed to fill the empty seat. The successful applicant will serve the remainder of Schmidlin’s term, which lasts through June 30, 2023. 

The three finalists expected to be interviewed tonight are Clint Jackson, Pete Lux and Mark Standley, according to Banks Fire District Executive Assistant Kari Ewart.  

Two other people who filed—former Banks mayor and city councilor Mike Lyda and former planning commissioner and mayoral candidate Jonathon Boyer— will not be considered. 

Clint Jackson is part owner of Banks’ Five Star Builders, and also serves on the city’s Economic Development Commission.

 In an application, Jackson said he’s lived in the Banks area for more than 44 years, raising a family and building his business in that time. 

“I feel strongly about giving back and being a servant to the community that has made this all possible,” he wrote. 

Pete Lux, himself a firefighter for two decades according to his application, said he understands the challenges facing a rural district.

Lux served as a firefighter with Washington County Fire District 2 prior to that district’s annexation into Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, where he is now a lieutenant. 

“I feel it’s important to be active and engaged within the community,” Lux wrote. 

Mark Standley Jr. also has experience in firefighting, both in and out of Banks. His application notes he volunteered for the Amity Fire District for ten years before moving to Banks, where he volunteered with the district for a couple of years. 

Standley is also a co-owner of Bighorn Logging.

“I see this as a great opportunity to give back to my community again,” Standley wrote. 

The Banks Fire Board meets at district offices in Banks, located at 13430 NW Main St in Banks.

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Chas Hundley is the editor of the Banks Post and sister news publications the Gales Creek Journal and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.

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