Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
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*denotes incumbent
Jerry Bittner
Experience:
Active paramedic and retired deputy chief for The Woodlands Fire Department
Why did you decide to run in this election?
To ensure the citizens of Montgomery County are receiving the best value for the services that are needed.
What experience do you have that would help you in this role?
By working as an administrator within the fire department, I gained the experience of working with public funds, establishing priorities, being fiscally responsible, determining present needs and setting priorities for future expenditures. I also worked alongside community partners to develop interoperability between the EMS and the fire departments to provide ...
What is your top priority, if elected?
Maintain a locally controlled [government]-based EMS service serving the community while being fiscally responsible.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the Montgomery County Hospital District?
Dealing with the growth in the community, which causes an increase in demand for services.
What are the greatest funding needs for the Montgomery County Hospital District?
As with most organizations, providing funding for quality personnel and equipment.
Brent W. Thor*
Experience:
I have spent my entire adult life improving EMS, I still have much to offer.
Why did you decide to run in this election?
I am currently the chairman for the MCHD Board. I have dedicated my entire life to the improvement of EMS and fire systems around the nation and feel that my experience is something that brings huge value to MCHD.
What experience do you have that would help you in this role?
My experience is as a paramedic and fire chief as well as in the private sector as a VP of sales in EMS billing, a director of sales in EMS/fire technology and CEO for an EMS consulting company, I bring the knowledge I learn every day in this industry ...
What is your top priority, if elected?
To continue what we’ve been doing for the last five years I’ve been on the board which is keeping tax rates down while providing the highest level of care for our residents through both EMS and [Health Care Assistance Program] as well as my affiliation with the Montgomery county public health department as ...
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the Montgomery County Hospital District?
Staffing in EMS will always be the number one issue facing our industry. Systems are growing and needing to expand personnel and there just aren’t that many new people who want to get into the industry. Going outside our area to recruit talent is going to cost the district but ...
What are the greatest funding needs for the Montgomery County Hospital District?
Buildings, ambulances and equipment will also always be needed. The cost for these things continues to rise year over year. Outside of employee costs, these are our number one expenses.
Jason Walker
Experience:
Business owner: security and emergency management
Why did you decide to run in this election?
I want to improve the operation, communication and publicity of MCHD.
What experience do you have that would help you in this role?
As a business owner for nearly two decades, in security management, I am familiar with budget and chain of command as well as organizational structure.
What is your top priority, if elected?
My main goal is to work toward the no-new-revenue tax rate.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the Montgomery County Hospital District?
Maintaining quality services, in a growing county, while working toward a goal of a no-new-revenue tax rate.
What are the greatest funding needs for the Montgomery County Hospital District?
MCHD is in good standing financially but needs to have better direction on budgeting, working toward a balanced budget.
