City of Strafford Honors a Lifetime of Service

For three decades, Mark Poynor was a steady presence behind the scenes of the Strafford Fire Protection District.

From 1996 to 2026, he served on the board. That’s a long stretch. And if you talk to people around the district, they’ll tell you it mattered.

Poynor wasn’t loud about what he did. He just showed up. Meeting after meeting. Year after year. Working through decisions that don’t always make headlines but shape how things run day to day.

“It was about doing what was right,” one person close to the district said. “Even when it wasn’t easy.”

That mindset carried him through a lot. Growth, changes, tough calls. He stayed focused on the people behind it all—the firefighters, their families, and the community counting on them.

Over time, that kind of consistency adds up.

His leadership helped guide the district forward. His approach, quiet and steady, helped set the tone. And his influence is something folks say won’t just fade away.

Now, as Poynor steps away from his role on the board, there’s a sense of appreciation that runs deep.

Thirty years is more than just a number.

It’s a lot of time given back to one place.

And in Strafford, that doesn’t go unnoticed.