Editor’s note: Since posting this article on Wednesday, Oct. 9, we have received several comments with questionable or unverified email addresses. Until we can verify that the senders used their real names (which they can do by writing editor@theorcasonian.com), we will not reinstate these comments.
The comments that remain on the site are those that we have verified are the sender’s true name. We apologize to the Fire Department and anyone else hurt by this practice, and ask for your patience as we go through this process)
On Tuesday, Oct. 8, Orcas Fire and Rescue Chief Kevin O’Brien made a statement addressing rumors that have been circulating anonymously about recent incidents involving Fire and Rescue personnel and expenses.
Chief O’Brien read the following statement at the regular meeting of the Orcas Island Fire and Rescue District (OIFRD) Board of Commissioners. His statement read:
Certain malicious rumors regarding Orcas Island Fire and Rescue have been circulating in the island gossip mill. These rumors contain profound misinformation. The following are the actual facts regarding each of the events in question.
Vehicle Accident
Over six months ago, I hosted a private barbeque dinner for my family and friends. After I had turned in for the night, I learned that one person had a minor accident after the individual had left my home. Fortunately, no one was hurt and no public property was damaged. The San Juan County Sheriff’s Department was promptly notified of this incident, and I determined that no official action was needed by the Fire Department.Food Delivery from Bellingham
Orcas Island Fire and Rescue is fortunate to be located next to the Orcas Island Airport. Twice in June of this year we have paid for delivery of food for training events by an air taxi service. The price for air transportation was between $1.25 and $1.75 per person for a total of food and transportation of less than $10.00 per person. This amount, including the air taxi, is about half of the amount in the Fire Department’s per diem food reimbursement policy. It is the desire of the Commissioners and myself to use on-island food vendors when the department pays for food in the future.Changes at the Department
Two people have left the department in the past two months. In a small department these changes affect all in the Fire Department. These separations are in the best interest of the District. As a matter of department policy, we do not make public statements about employment matters.Bellingham Conference Attendance
Assistant Chief Mik Preysz is the Chair of the North Region Trauma Council which sponsored a pediatric medical conference. The Trauma Council paid the Assistant Chief’s lodging expenses at the Bellwether Hotel and negotiated special hotel rates for other OIFR attendees. District volunteers attended the conference on their own time for training purposes and the district paid the negotiated reduced rate which worked out to be below $60.00 per member. The breakfast and lunch meals at the conference were included in the price of the registration fee. The district is currently investigating any other meal charges at the event.Sally Kass
Recently, District Financial Officer Sally Kass asked to leave her position on her own accord, for personal reasons.The commissioners, volunteers, staff and myself are firmly committed to providing the highest level of service to the people of Orcas Island. There will be no further comment on these matters.
Following O’Brien’s statement, Barbara Bedell, Chair of the Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Board of Commissioners, then read the following statement:
I believe that it is important to note that the key word in the new Strategic Plan for Orcas Island Fire and Rescue is “respect,” and I believe that this Commission and Chief O’Brien have acted respectfully and with good faith and have tried very hard to engender the public trust.
Both the Commission and Chief O’Brien deserve to be treated in the same manner instead of in an adversarial environment that accomplishes nothing. The negative public comment, the rumors that have been spread with no attempt at determining their accuracy, and the interference that the Commission and the Staff have had to contend with are unwarranted, undeserved, and do little to improve the Commissioners’ governance or help the Staff fulfill the mission of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue in a beneficial and constructive way. With the issues that Chief O’Brien has just clarified, I hope that we can go forward from this point on in a spirit of cooperaton with more positive dialogue and reasonable civil discourse.
At the same meeting Commission Coffin was able to get his fellow Commissioner to change the rules about the number of “PUBLIC COMMENTS” allowed at their meetings. I have heard him express his dislike of the number of ‘PUBLIC COMMENTS” times at meeting many times. He at last prevailed. Who does he think pays for the Department? I believe it was a bad move, considering that the Department is going to be asking for a new LEVY IN 2014. If the policy makers are not really interested in hearing what the Public has to say. Maybe the Public may lose interest in supporting the Department. It might be good politics to reconsider the policy.
My dictionary says a rumor is “a story or statement in general circulation without confirmation or certainty as to facts.” Rumors are not statements that are untrue; rumors are statements of unproven accuracy. Rumors also tend to include both some truth and some speculation. That’s why they’re so harmful.
As in involved citizen, I attend the monthly meeting and there is usually very few members of the public. At the last meeting it was actually decided to continue to allow two public comments but a change occurred in between and there was two proposals on the floor last night and the public comment were squash to one. So the Commissioners will be
looking at a new levy in the near future but
they do not want to listen to the public ?
1. Question: Was the decision made to limit public comments to only one, or public comment *periods* to one? It may make for a smoother meeting flow to have a defined public comment time, and not have a meeting broken up with two comment segments. I was very surprised to see the agenda for yesterday’s meeting contained two comment periods. One comment time is the norm for meetings of public entities (county councils, various governmental boards, etc.). Let’s be really clear on what the Commissioners actually did before criticizing them, please.
2. I don’t know the details of any of the rumors, but I do know that rumors generally start with a kernel of fact that gets embellished with speculations and often malice. Perhaps a food run to Costco was involved. Most Orcas organizations resort to bulk buying when they are feeding masses of people. It’s significantly cheaper, and thus perhaps a more responsible use of public funds. Shop local when you can and when it makes sense, but don’t waste money when it doesn’t make sense. Snarkiness about Chinese food orders, without any facts about the actual circumstances, only perpetuates the unproductive rumor mill.
There is a simple way to prove there was no cover up of a drunk driving accident. Self report to the Attorney General’s office and have one of their investigators depose all of those involved. This is the only way to prove to the public beyond a doubt that there was no malfeasance. It is the only way we can trust the administrators again. Otherwise, where there is smoke there is fire.
The problem the fire department has now is that there is valid information from people who were at the party that drinking to excess was an issue. .08 is not very difficult to reach. If there is truly nothing to hide they need to self report the Attorney General’s office and have people deposed. The truth shall set them free.
PS: An investigation cannot be run by the local prosecutor’s office. The prosecutor is the uncle of the chief.
I don’t know where the practice of limiting either “time for” or “time of” public comment started but it does nothing but create ill will in county sponsored meetings. In the Deer Harbor Plan Review Committee we ask the public to feel free to join in all discussions between committee members simply by indicating they want to say something and receive recognition by the chair. We have been doing that for 5 years and it works. The Fire Commission isn’t alone in having their main mission, which incidentally they do so well, tarnished by how they handle the public. Unfortunately, it isn’t enough that they get 5 stars for performance of duties. The public’s right to know must be served.
I totally agree with Ray Ross’s comments regarding clearing up these so called “Rumors”. Rumors usually have some basis of fact involved and the tax payers in our community are entitled to transparency and the facts. The statement put out by Chief O’brien (who I voted for) seems accusatory and defensive by labeling such “rumors” as malicious. There has always been some problems off and on with transparency with the department and what the taxpayers and voters are told. I think we also should have the right to know why the two employees who were let go. Clear up that rumor please. Yes, rumors can be totally unfounded but there is enough confusion and discrepancy’s that we should have more clarification and not the tight lipped approach.
Public comment in Public Meetings should have a time limit imposed but they should be accepted and permitted.
Thus said, the Dept. and the EMT’s do a wonderful job doing what they should be doing and our volunteer force is goes beyond great!
I applaud Kevin OBrien for putting the whole issue “on the table”for public comment. I am, yes, no doubt “politically naive” but I sure do know how rumors circulate, and, again, am thankful that Kevin had the guts to put this all in the arena of public discussion– as I am also thankful that Crow Valley Pottery brought to our attention the hooplah over the Brown Bear Bakery’s flying of the rainbow flag and the hooplah around that.
To state the obvious, we need our fire fighters and our EMTS. Lets talk to each other– humanly, eh?
So sorry….in my comment I meant to say that I SUPPORTED Kevin O’brien’s being hired as our new Fire Chief 110%….NOT VOTED! :o)
Accident update:
The San Juan County Sheriff’s department has done a thorough investigation of the alleged accident. Everyone involved was interviewed and the report has been passed on to the prosecutor’s office where it has been sitting for weeks–
It just so happens that the prosecutor is the Chief O’Brien’s uncle!
So here is his chance to show everyone that this was as innocent as Chief O’Brien claimed it was in September.
How about it? We are all waiting for the truth.
I was deeply troubled hearing that public comment may have been restricted. There is wisdom in the public and adequate time should be allowed for that comment. Taxpayers get angry when they are ignored. Every public meeting should have a comment section after acceptance of the last meetings minutes and a period at the end where taxpayers can comment on that evenings meeting.
Being the subject of one of the largest rumor mills on the island, I sympathize with those who have a bulls eye on there back. I agree with the prior comments pertaining to the “rumor mill”.