Monarch Fire Joins Statewide Lobbying Association

The has selected a statewide association that will represent its legislative interests in Jefferson City and educate members on the ins and outs of running a fire district.

—the Missouri Association of Career Fire Protection Districts and the Missouri Association of Fire Protection Districts—over the past month. At its Monday meeting, the board voted 2-1 to join the Association of Career Fire Protection Districts at a cost of $3,000 a year.

The Association of Fire Protection Districts would have cost $1,750 a year. The district is currently a member of that association.

Board President Kim Evans and Secretary Steve Swyers were both in favor of joining the Association of Career Fire Protection Districts, despite the increased cost. Evans argued that given the lobbying efforts of the organization, Monarch may not need to to hire their own lobbyist.

“One of the things I was looking for was something different than what we’ve had in the past,” Evans said during Monday night’s meeting. Evans also noted that the Association of Career Fire Protection Districts was smaller than the Association of Fire Protection Districts. She said she liked that the organization was not stretched too thin.

Board Treasurer Robin Harris said during the meeting if the Association of Career Fire Protection Districts cost less money, he would consider it more seriously. Harris added he felt the cost was a “squander” of taxpayers’ money and said he did not see the point in switching associations for the sake of change.

Harris also expressed concerns over one of the five lobbyists employed by Burton and Leise, the lobbying firm the Association of Career Fire Protection Districts uses. Harris said he was concerned Neil English had previously lobbied for the firefighter’s union and questioned whether that could cause conflicts of interest.

According to the Missouri Ethics Commission's website, English has lobbied for the Association of Career Fire Protection Districts, other St. Louis area fire protection districts and various other groups, including the Firemen's Retirement System of St. Louis. There were no firefighters unions included in the list of organizations for which he's lobbied.

It is too late in the year to register for a full-year membership with the Association of Career Fire Protection Districts. Monarch will be able to attend the group’s September educational conference, but will not be required to pay their membership fee until the beginning of 2012.

Monarch also received two bids pertaining to hiring a personal lobbyist for Jefferson City, but board members decided to hold the discussion for a future meeting. Both bids exceeded their $12,500 cap, and the board has not approved next year's budget. Plus, the Association of Career Fire Protection Districts provides lobbying services for its members.

In other Monarch news:

• Monday’s board meeting was packed to the brim with friends and family as board members swore in a new member to the team, Andrew Shoop, and promoted Brian Hall, Andy Stecko and Tommy Beauchamp to engineers.
• Saturday is the district's Safety Fair at . The event and will feature many displays and demonstrations.
• The district recently launched a Facebook page. Residents can become fans of the page to keep up with district happenings.