||| FROM NICK NEGULESCU |||
On December 22, Toby Cooper of the Islands’ Sounder wrote of the December BOFC meeting:
Chief Holly VanSchaick included in her report the announcement that three full-time employees — Finance Manager Audra McLain, Volunteer Coordinator Jim “Mac” McCorison, and veteran Safety Officer/Firefighter/EMT Bob Nutt — were resigning effective immediately. All three resignation letters cited personal differences with new Commissioner Randy Gaylord.
There are two very concerning items that I want to unpack from this statement that was published by Toby Cooper of the Islands’ Sounder.
Number one: All three resignations have the air of “forced” or “coerced resignations” instigated and completed by Commissioner Randy Gaylord as evidenced by the fact that ‘all three resignation letters cited personal differences.’ As you can imagine, this was most likely a terribly difficult decisions for those who resigned but their employment had changed so much since the onboarding of Commissioner Gaylord that they were quick to re-evaluate their current employment.
Number two: To add insult to injury, one of those who was coerced out of their position was former Finance Manager Audra McClain who had just started with the department in May 2023 and was masterful with the budget. It was saddening for me to hear this since Audra had committed so much time and effort to working with any interested party to get the right outcome. In the wake of her departure, the department is effectively without a finance manager. The board is now free to tell the public half-truths and there no longer any voice of authority with respect to the realities of the current budget. Get ready for the lies from politicians because they can truly make up anything at this point- there are no financial fact checkers.
Here are my two takeaways from this news:
- Stay clear of the Orcas Island Fire Department because there is a Commissioner who is implementing “coercive resignations”
With the resignation of Audra McClain, Former Finance Manager of the OIFR – the department is flying blind financially. Not the best look when you’re out of money and you need a levy. - So, unless you want a certain Fire Commissioner stalking you and being “coercive” with you, stay away from the Fire Department. I hope that the Board of Fire Commissioners can clean up their act and start fixing the existing issues at the department while not creating new ones. Tall order.
Narrow, self serving, shallow and incorrect thinking at best.
Shame on you man.
Mr. Gaylord and the new commissioners have had one *official meeting. He expressed some new expectations for reporting and accountability. All of the other commissioners voted in favor of his proposals in all but 2 cases (both which passed with a majority). Not at all sure how one could call that coercive. It is change.
Some folks who have been planning to sunset decided to do so now. Others may have found better offers.
I would hope that all of us- winners, losers, voters, volunteers, and staff,- would give our new Commissioners a period of grace to shift to the new reality. The community elected a new group of leaders and voted down the levy as presented in a huge margin. I see that as a desire to redirect the organization into a more community supported way.
Nick, these insinuations are not helpful. You gave your time and effort to OIFR. I am grateful. Now it is time to support the new team.
Orcas needs a healthy and robust OIFR. . The new BOF Commissioners are working on a viable and sustainable plan, both financially and culturally. Let’s give them time and space to make it work.
Well, isn’t that special. The incumbent who was overwhelmingly swept out of office along with his other two fellow commissioners just over one month ago feels it’s his place to now lob grenades into the room.
How about we fill in the blanks of the Sounder article shall we?
#1- Commissioner Gaylord is doing exactly what 73% of your friends and neighbors elected him to do! Hold the administration to task, ask relevant questions, put together a new budget, follow the RCW’s, and help fashion a reasonable levy.
# 2- Mr. McCorison indicated last summer that he was resigning at the end of the year. Four long months before Mr. Gaylord was even elected.
# 3- Ms. McClain, who from all indications has done a fine job trying to make sense of the budget at OIFR, lives on the mainland and has only been on the job since last May. I guess the $20,000 raise the previous board handed her wasn’t quite enough to put up with Mr. Gaylord’s requests for clarifications.
# 4- Bob Nutt has indeed been a true asset as a volunteer for decades. His dedication to the community is, dare I say, unmatched. The fact is that Bob was ready to reduce his commitments at OIFR.
He is remaining in the department as a Wildland firefighter as well as an EMT until his certification runs out at the end of 2024. We are lucky to have him. I’d encourage anyone with questions to ask Bob why he is leaving his safety officer job and exactly what Mr. Gaylord has done to drive that decision.
Finally, it is extremely troubling that supposed supporters of OIFR have engaged in personal attacks rather than discuss the facts. They are unfortunately doing their best to keep the drama going simply because they didn’t get their way. Despite what these few angry, mean spirited folks may have you believe, those of us that have paid close attention to the goings on at OIFR are excited about and support the new board in their efforts to get a much needed levy passed in 2024.
If any of the naysayers truly care they’d get on the bus…or at least step aside and give our new board a chance to set us up with a healthy and vibrant fire department.
OIFR is indeed at a crossroads. I guess we will find out in the next few months who actually cares about their success.
Peace and good health to all in the new year.
Orcas Island: SO MANY TROLLS, SO FEW BRIDGES
“Stay clear of the Orcas Island Fire Department because there is a Commissioner who is implementing “coercive resignations” So, NICK NEGULESCU, you are telling me and the people of Orcas Island not to call 911 when there is a life threatening emergency?
Oh Nicky Nicky Nicky…
Like Vizzini in Princess Bride —> I don’t think you know what that word means … “troll”
Let me help you .. “ a person who intentionally antagonizes others online by posting inflammatory, irrelevant, or offensive comments or other disruptive content”…
I’d suggest you re-read this thread, look in the mirror, and determine exactly who is posting “inflammatory” and “disruptive” comments.
You STILL have a chance to get on board and actually help the board that your friends and neighbors elected get a much needed levy passed. We need you. It’ll feel good I promise.
OR… keep posting disruptive and irrelevant comments.
Mr. Neglescu,
Be a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.
Ok enough everyone.
We all know what happened. Let’s focus on support for our new board and the critical work of getting us a levy and bond on the ballot.