Ex-fire official named to Riverbank council

RIVERBANK -- David I. White is Riverbank's newest City Council member.

White, who was appointed by the council during a special meeting Tuesday night, replaces Kathy Anaya, who resigned earlier this month because she no longer lives in Riverbank.

White, 52, was chosen from eight applicants. Six of those were interviewed Tuesday night after one dropped out and it was discovered that another lives in Oakdale.

"My vote is based on my experience with you and your desire to be involved," Mayor Chris Crifasi said as he cast the third and finalizing vote for White.

White was the first applicant nominated Tuesday night and received enough support to be appointed.

Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., he has lived in Riverbank four years. He moved to Riverbank from Modesto, where he lived 12 years.

White is most known in Riverbank for serving as president of the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District board during difficult times. He came on when the department was in financial distress and just had fired its chief. By the time he left, the department had balanced its budget was hiring firefighters.

He said he dropped out of the political scene when he discovered he had colon cancer.

"I got sick suddenly," he said. "The doctor said, 'You need to be hospitalized. You're bleeding to death.' "

It's been about a year and a half since White underwent surgery. Now, he says, he has a different perspective on life.

"You get very determined," he said.

Anaya's term would have been up in November. Come election time, Riverbank voters will see White's name on the ballot.

Bee staff writer Eve Hightower can be reached at ehightower@modbee.com or 578-2382.