Letter to Editor | I’m supporting Wes for Fire Commissioner

||| FROM LEITH TEMPLIN |||

I was impressed last week with the presentation and discussions that took place, by Zoom, at the Orcas Island Fire Commission monthly meeting. As a long-standing active community member, I feel very fortunate that we have such a highly qualified commission. I have seen many commissions in my day and this one by far brings the most knowledge and respectability to the table. It seems to be a cyclical thing with our department that things go along smoothly and then there is upheaval. 

Since Tim and Jim became commissioners and then Rick was added I have taken a back seat in attending their monthly meetings because I knew we were in good hands. Their qualifications have been unmatched by any previous boards. These three have decades of experience from being a fire chief in two large metropolitan cities, the CHCO for the United States Secret Service, and one being a business financial and operations consultant for many corporations/companies across the US. New to the board, Janet brings valuable experience from years in HR and Wes brings small business experience but more importantly his experience of living in this community and understanding how this small community works. This board is not only looking out for the public’s interest in how our taxpayer dollars are being spent, they also are willing to share their expertise with the department and are trying to do the right thing for everyone.

I feel the union owes this community an apology. We have had enough fear and anxiety in the last two years to last a lifetime. Their unfounded accusations have only brought more fear and anxiety to our fragile community. To accuse the commission for not responding to the unfortunate vote of “no confidence” is simply not true. Boards can not just respond to the public with what they are doing. They are bound by Washington State Law to handle these kinds of accusations in a very specific way. They will make full disclosure when they have crossed all the T’s and dotted the I’s. 

As for some comments that have been made by passed commissioners all I can say is I am glad this board is spending and accounting for our tax dollars in a much more transparent and conservative way and would never cover up the shenanigans that have taken place in the past. When an over budget, in overtime payroll pay, to the tune of $70,000 was discovered, they looked into it to understand and see if that was not only true but necessary. Hence, the union’s actions.

Being a nice person and serving our community isn’t a qualification for a board position. When voting for someone on a board we all need to look at the current configuration and see what expertise is needed. Those needs change over time, and someone might be good in the future but that does not mean they are a good fit now, friend or not.

I believe this board should continue their work and I know and trust that the community will get all the answers they are waiting for when it is appropriate. I am voting for Wes, and I cannot really say he is a friend of mine, but I do consider Patrick a friend. This is not a popularity contest.

I also believe that it is inexcusable for the allegations being said against our chief without any documentation and he deserves an apology.