The Idyllwild Fire Protection District will have four candidates competing for three seats. Incumbent directors Rhonda Andrewson, commission president, Ralph Hoetger and Henry Sawicki will be on the ballot along with challenger Andrew Balendy.

Andrewson was elected to the Commission in 2013. Since then the Commission has moved elections to even numbered years and this is the first occurrence.

Sawicki was appointed in February 2017 to replace former Commissioner Nancy Layton, who moved out of the District.

Hoetger was appointed in April to replace retiring Commissioner Jeannine Charles-Stigall.

The terms for all three expire in December.

Balendy is the director of AstroCamp. He joined Guided Discoveries in 1998 and is a biologist.

In 2015, there were no challengers to the incumbents. But the four elections from 2007 through 2013 each had more candidates than seats.

Hemet Unified School District

The other race, which would have attracted the Hill’s attention, is a position on the Board of Trustees for the Hemet Unified School District.

However, since incumbent Director Vic Scavarda again has no opposition, he is re-elected to his second full four-year term after joining the board in 2013.

In an email, Scavarda said of his re-election, “It will be a privilege to represent Idyllwild on the board for four more years. I have enjoyed my time thus far, and the experience helps me realize just how special this school and community is. We have our own unique needs and challenges here.”

Megan Haley, who represents the Anza and Aguanga communities and most of Garner Valley, also is unopposed.

However, Trustee Area 3, which is Hemet, Valle Vista, Winchester and the Diamond Valley lake areas, will have four candidates for two seats.

Incumbents Rob Davis and Horacio “Ross” Valenzuela, board president, and challengers Adam McQueen and Jamie Swain, will be on the ballot.