Three candidates running for two open seats on the Stinson Beach Fire Protection District met a nearly packed house last Friday to make their case for why voters should elect them. The two incumbents, Marcus White and Peter Sandman, who are running as a ticket, distinguished themselves as experienced in the special district’s issues, and as having the dispositions required to help the board and district run smoothly. The district is looking to purchase a property to house a new firehouse, and both incumbents prioritized the project over increasing the number of paid staffers. Their challenger, Will Mitchell, agreed that a new firehouse and further staffing were essential, but he prioritized the latter. He also emphasized three other concerns: the need for proactive communication with the community,  as well as a strategic plan for the district and housing for firefighters. He sold himself as an energetic, can-do, next-generation board member and argued that his presence would not deprive the board of historical knowledge, given that one of the incumbents would still be serving. But Mr. White was quick to point out that Mr. Mitchell had not attended a single meeting in the three years since the Board of Supervisors chose Jeff Walsh over him for an open seat on the board. He also explained that back when he joined the board, the fire chief at the time had approached him and encouraged him to take over the seat of a retiring member, a quiet way that many members had joined over the years and that avoided the need for an election. That seemed to be Mr. Walsh’s cue to stand up and implicitly endorse the two incumbents by inviting Mr. Mitchell to run for his seat in two years. Shortly after, another board member stood and endorsed his colleagues. “I seemed to have let the debate get away from questions,” the moderator apologized.