||| FROM NICK NEGULESCU |||
I’m able-bodied and in my mid-40s but I will not be choosing to volunteer with this fire department any time soon, if ever. From my point of view as a grown strong man who can do many things still in life and is not crippled by pain or incontinence — basically not the point of view of a physically frail and physically weak senior citizen.
I am choosing not to volunteer on this island for this department because of the actions of Commissioner Randy Gaylord. His “new deal” is a “raw deal” for those employees who are at the department now. As the summer approaches, the existing and reduced staff at the fire department will still have the same number of calls for help. The volunteers will be the backbone of service and these are the consequences of elections, but I refuse to volunteer for a community that cannot or chooses not to pay its bills.
So while the aging voting base may be thrilled with Commissioner Gaylord’s “new deal” for employees, as a younger person seeing so much aggression and tumult at the department, from people who are in the community with aggressive stances toward the department — I fully intend NOT to volunteer since the department is doing very little to keep the existing people they need to run the department. I call on others to NOT volunteer. Why give your time away to a community that will talk bad about you behind your back anyway?
If the department comes up with a robust volunteer payment scheme, I might reconsider, but for now I am staying away from being a Volunteer Fire Fighter for a department that is using policy to be coercive with employees.
Nick,
“And this, too, shall pass away.” Abraham Lincoln (because I get the historical context)
I understand and share many of your concerns, but I know this community and it’s people need and deserve volunteers to provide Fire and EMS response. That is even more true with the financial constraints and situation facing the department. Undoubtedly, the resignations of key staff and long-time volunteers is also damaging to stability and moving forward. The agenda and tactics being pursued by some is demoralizing for some key volunteers and staff. However, for most volunteers, it is only a peripheral (if frustrating) concern. Certainly the impacts are significant from increased demands on volunteers, aging equipment, training, supplies etc., but I still assess that the morale and esprit de corps to be the highest among the volunteers that I have seen in 10 years.
It is why I continue to volunteer for now and still enthusiastically recruit and encourage others to volunteer. I will continue to endeavor to separate and compartmentalize my frustration with the political and legislative realm from the operational realm, but I know it isn’t easy.
Okay byeeeeee.
Really Nick, more about you? First it is a really bad wise crack about all us “frail and weak” senior citizens who removed you from office. Then it is about Commissioner Gaylord and some vague accusation you fail to illuminate. Then it is a fiscal note about not paying department bills(which does not happen). Again all about you even though and you still can’t make up your mind precisely.
All through your latest blather is the depreciation of those voters who are older than you. Wow!
Hard to understand your motivations with all this but thanks for not volunteering, perhaps you will consider the community when your ego commands you to post support for your theories. Encouraging others to not volunteer is beyond the pale. Shame on you.
Your views on this have been rejected by the voters. Reconnect with reality and move on.
Not behind your back Nick, almost kind of respectfully in your face from one of those aging voters you so loath.
Mr. Simpson is the kind of volunteer who, unlike you Nick actually cares so much about our Department that he continues to work to contribute even though the politics of our small community may not go exactly according to his personal views. This is certainly a fine quality in any citizen looking toward our greater good.
A good example for you to Nick.
Nick,
You are now expressing your opinion after being voted out of office as you were a silent Fire Commissioner for your short term. Goodbye
The comments on this truly show the strength of the island and actual support for the community and the fire community at that. Of course the more volunteers the better but your agist and ableist comments are confusing.
Your stance on how volunteers are owed anything is also interesting: a volunteer is a person who works for an organization without being paid.
Maybe reevaluate your contributions to the community before you lash out online like a hurt “young strong 40yo man?” lol
I speak as a 35-year volunteer of OIFR. You do not understand being a member of a volunteer fire department. It is not about politics, it is about service to the community.
With your attitude, it is probably best that you not volunteer.
No worries. You couldn’t pass the physical.
Below information is from Nicks WEB site.
“Fire Commissioner #3 | San Juan County Fire District #2 Served the Community 1/2023-11/2023.”
I believe you were appointed, to the position. Having been an Orcas Island Fire Fighter and an Elected Commissioner. At that time, I had retired from two 20 years plus careers, and was working on a third. It was and still is a “volunteer” fire department. I don’t recall any one asking “how much was the pay”, it was a “volunteer community service” It has never been easy to recruit new Fire Fighters, Family and jobs limits the time young folks can spend training and responding to the demands of being a Volunteer Fire Fighter. On top of that “community Service” was part of the DNA of folks who called “ORCAS ISLAND” home.