||| FROM HILARY CANTY for ORCAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION |||
The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) received a gift of $250,000 from an anonymous donor for Orcas Island Fire and Rescue. The Board of Fire Commissioners (BOFC) voted to accept the check at their August 5th meeting. The gift is unrestricted and can be used for equipment, repairs, operations, or elsewhere.
The BOFC will work with Chief Kimple and team to develop a plan to spend the funds. This will be discussed at future meetings.
“This is a great vote of support for all who serve as volunteers, administrators, and Commissioners,” said Hilary Canty, OICF Executive Director. “OICF would be happy to facilitate additional gifts if any other community members wish to contribute as well. The Foundation does not deduct any fees, so 100% of your gift goes to the organization.”
This is a wonderful gift to a department that is in transition. It buys some breathing room for the acting chief to manage ongoing expenses while planning for the future. It saves the taxpayers some money but it only buys a certain amount of time. Thank you OICF!
Yes! A wonderful and necessary gift from a concerned citizen who has obviously been paying attention.
Helping our new board recover from the financial mess they inherited from the poor decisions of the previous board brings great hope to the return of fiscal sanity at OIFR. Now the challenge is getting their capital expenses covered with a second levy. I for one am hoping the voters will understand the need to upgrade our equipment.
Oh wow- A SECOND LEVY?!? I though they just passed a levy. They want more money after the levy they just passed?
You have to be joking. No way will that happen.
Oh Nicky. Dear sweet, unencumbered by the thought process, Nicky. The former appointed fire commissioner that was complicit in ignoring the capital needs of our fire department. The very same Nicky that helped to build an unsustainable administrative infrastructure which has buried the taxpayers in debt. Nicky, who when the time came, was overwhelmingly voted out of office. Nicky, whose response to that defeat was to create a website steeped in negativity about our fire department. Nicky, the new kid on the block who doesn’t know what he doesn’t know but chimes in anyway.
Maybe it’s time for good ole Nicky to take a step back from shooting any more torpedoes at our fire department. Nicky has done enough damage already. The adults have taken over now. We all know you need a hug. All incels do. But holding your breath until you turn blue will only create another aid call for our fire department. Bless yer heart…
To the donor paying attention to all that happened to lead to this point; heartfelt thank you for your generous Unrestricted gift, and thanks to the Community Foundation for getting the check into the hands of the Department. Such great and encouraging news!
To the two new commissioners; welcome, and thank you for stepping up. Your strengths will be great assets to the Commission. I’m excited about this five-person commission and how quickly the two seats were filled. The quick thinking on their feet of this commission, the selection of Chief Kimple, and seeing him in action in the meetings – all of this, and the support of this anonymous donor – are testament IMO that OIFR is on a much better track after a long rough patch.
To the incredulous question about ‘another levy?’ Yes – you knew that answer before you asked the question, because…the messes left to the 3 people elected, and the further messes generated by the resignation of the former Chief and some of her cronies. Yes: Another levy. Or bonds. The voters understand that funds are needed. Because so much was neglected and ignored. I’m hoping that more donations will follow suit – large or small – and help the Department make badly needed equipment upgrades. I’m certain that everyone will work hard to restore better ratings again, and improve the morale and culture of this Department; maybe in some areas that haven’t been addressed, like trainings to assure that women in the department are valued for their contributions. We have the people who can make this happen.
An aside, but related: I went to the Fly In – which was the best, most organized Fly In yet! There were so many great pilots, planes, and visitors, a delight to meet. I even got a tour by the Port Manager, Chip Long, and learned lots. He made all feel welcome and it was wonderful to see the collaboration and goodwill there with so many of the pilots volunteering, as well as some volunteers from OIFR – assuring safety and good times for all. I also went both days of the Pancake Breakfast at the Fire Hall, which is a favorite community event. I saw morale high, smiles on faces, everyone pitching in, great attendance and support for the event, and a feeling and atmosphere of celebration. I’m so happy a new chapter has begun.
Oh Nicolas. Dear sweet, (non impediti ratione cogitationis), Nicolas. The former “appointed” fire commissioner that was complicit in ignoring the capital needs of our fire department. The very same Nicolas that helped to build an unsustainable administrative infrastructure that has buried the taxpayers in debt. Nicolas, who when the time came, was overwhelmingly voted out of office. Nicolas, whose response to that defeat was to create a website steeped in negativity about our fire department. Nicolas, the new kid on the block who doesn’t know what he doesn’t know but chimes in anyway.
Maybe it’s time for good ole Nicolas to take a step back from shooting any more torpedoes at our fire department. You’ve done enough damage already. The adults have taken over now. Holding your breath until you turn blue will only create another aid call for our fire department. Bless yer heart…
Thanks Alex Conrad…. i mean Bill King. I appreciate your comments.
Hopefully you can work through those probations on Bainbridge Island as a paramedic.
Alex Conrad aka Billy King – Thank you for letting us know that we have another levy, and probably a bond coming our way too.
Alex – why are you ashamed to use your real name? Perhaps because you’re just a troll?
Here’s the background on URBAN:
https://theorcasonian.com/orcas-fire-loses-lawsuit-against-former-firefighter-paramedic/
The arbitrator found that Orcas Fire “may not recover any further amounts from Mr. Conrad under its claim of breach,” and therefore found in favor of Mr. Conrad. The arbitrator concluded that under the Collective Bargaining Agreement “reimbursement shall be made from the employee’s final paycheck and/or severance pay” only.
Hey Nick, this is Alex. Bill King is not me. See you in court.
I should add….what a generous, thoughtful and timely gift to the fire department. Thank you also to Hilary Canty and OICF for facilitating the gift.