Statements of Qualification

Operating Committee At-Large Member Candidates

2015 District Annual Meeting

Matthew Thomsen

I wish to continue to serve as a member of the DCFD Operating Committee for a number of reasons.  Primarily, I feel I have an obligation to give back to a community that my family lives and thrives in and that I, personally, have a deep affinity for.  I have a skill set that serves the DCFD well.  I am a licensed attorney (for 30 years plus) and have practiced here in Westerly for over 28 years.  I have and continue to represent other fire districts, which provides me with the knowledge of how these other organizations work and learn from them.  I am very familiar with the workings of the Towns of Westerly and Charlestown governments, the Rhode Island State government, and the many agencies that have some type of control over the lands of the DCFD or those contracted to the DCFD.  I know of all of the people who work for or are elected to these entities that have or may have an impact on the DCFD.  Finally, it is my utmost desire to ensure my fellow taxpayers that we have the most effective fire department possible to handle fire and other emergency situations within the domain of the DCFD for the most reasonable cost, resulting in giving every DCFD taxpayer excellent value for their tax dollars.

Kenneth C. Martin
Member-at large, Operating Committee
Dunn’s Corners Fire District

Candidate for Re-election, 2015-2017

I have an extensive history with both the Dunn’s Corners Fire Department and Dunn’s Corners Fire District, dating back to 1969. In the department, I served in nearly every line officer position from Sergeant to Acting Chief, as well as Safety Officer and Training Officer. In the district, I served on the former Board of Finance as well as the current Operating Committee. My experience encompasses having served on the building committees for both fire stations, more than half a dozen truck purchase committees, committees that completed total re-writes of our district Charter and department bylaws and I participated in negotiations for the three contracted fire districts. This translates to a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding our district organization, the fire department, our community and its growth along with its residents.

I am also the Recording Secretary for the R.I. State Firemen’s League, a position I have held for quite a few years. This has afforded me the opportunity to network with other departments and districts, keep apprised on relative state and federal legislation and remain aware of trends, standards and regulations for emergency services. I have been a resident of the district for fifty years and taxpayer for more than thirty-five. I seek your support for re-election because my heart is in serving this community in order to continue the legacy of providing the effective and necessary emergency services for our residents, guests and visitors the same way it has been done for years - efficiently and effectively, as has been demonstrated by the quality services provided, while maintaining some of the lowest fire district taxes in the state.

I look forward to continued service to you.   Thank you.