Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Timberlake Fire Protection District

While I'm not commenting on the recalls that are out there, I do have some thoughts that I feel should be aired. First, to have two commissioners that have barely got their feet wet after only six months on the board to become as active as they have suggests that the libertarianism of their sponsor, namely Larry Spencer, should have been our first clue.

When, after chief Krill's study was complete, and it became obvious that the budget needed help, the commissioners had several choices. One, and the one I would have supported, would have been to spell out the choices, including a levy, then presenting these choices to the electorate. Krill made it plain that one of two things were going to happen. Either higher homeowners insurance rate, or higher taxes. He also pointed out that the higher taxes would be dwarfed by the higher insurance rates. He was shouted down as threatening the district's population with pressure tactics. It turns out he was dead on. Never, was loss of local control ever on the table.

Perhaps he over reacted in pulling as many units out of service for safety inspections, but maybe the intransigence of the board of commissioners forced him into a dramatic act.

The bottom line here is that these newcomers to the board ran for office for specific reasons and had a preconceived agenda. Once elected, one wonders where Spencer is. Perhaps he has thrown his own disciples under the bus. There are other choices. Unfortunately the electors may make them for the commissioners. The moral here is do not ever, especially in a small community, think you are smarter that those that you supposedly represent. Personally, I support the dissolution of Timberlake and return to Bayview Fire District as it was just a few years ago. Soon we will lose our representation on the board, when as announced, Kirk Quillan will resign to be replaced by a minority Bonner county commissioner, elected by a fraction of those in the district as whole. Perhaps it is time for secession.

We are a conservative area, in a conservative state. That doesn't mean the people do not want their voices heard. I think the commissioners have stepped in do-do and could very well be thrown out. The resignation of Weise followed by his reconsideration is a clue to the motives of the board. They could have, and should have magnanimously accepted his reinstatement, but chose to follow the low road, elimination of a vote against the majority agenda. I am, as well as many others, displeased.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Herb, I can not beleive a person with the background you have also fail to get the truth from reliable sources. you normally have stong opinions but this blog is out to lunch. with false truths..I will be suprised if you post this in one way but the other I won't.be if you don't. perhaps blog hits with flase information being despinsed.

Anonymous said...

"Soon we will lose our representation on the board, when as announced, Kirk Quillan will resign to be replaced by a minority Bonner county commissioner, elected by a fraction of those in the district as whole. Perhaps it is time for secession."

Herb could you please explain this? I am not understanding your point.

NJ

Anonymous said...

I have been following the timberlake fire issues - So what is the problem??? Are we playing politics or are we concern about fire protection. Clearly Kirk Quillin - the Bayview representative laid out the reason Krill was thrown out has nothing to do with his performance or action. It was rather a simple matter of economics. In this deep recession, nobody except retiree's have money to spend. All proposed levys in the last election have failed. Why do we want to be smarter and try levy again? The not so smart option is to rebalance the budget to get maximum return for fire protection and I think the new commissioners and Kirk have been pushing for. I don't think they want to hear politics of Bayview being imposed on them - try to convince their pit bull for Bayview politics needs to be rehired. If Bayview wants to provide constructive ideas and support for improved fire protection, I think the commissioners will be glad to hear their ideas. So Herb, please don't be displeased but rather provide some constructive direction to Bayview to move forward with creative solutions to improve the fire protection for all of Timberlake fire district.

Anonymous said...

Herb,
In reading your latest blog, I believe there are a few facts you should gather before voicing your opinion.
With your blurb regarding insurance rates going up, I know of 5 different people whom have checked with their insurance companies after the former chief and his side show commissioner tried throwing that in is a scare tactit to bring interest of passing a levy. About the only thing that would go up is our insurance rating, NOT our insurance rates, alot of insurance companies as stated by a local agent do not even look at the rating!
Also Herb, if we did pass a levy per extensive research and factual evidence brought forward by Commissioner Kirk Quillian shown to us citizens at the Tuesday June 22 meeting at Athol Community Center, had you attended and not just supported your blog by hearsay you would have seen that at a minimum Timberlake's portion of the property taxes would have doubled. Which as evidence DOES support is definately way more than insurance rates. Have you checked with your insurance carrier and asked them about your rates?
As I read on and you attack our newcomers with a supposed "preconceived agenda", who is to say the other two commissioners that ran against them and has been on the fire department did not have a "preconceived agenda"?
How I see it and yes, I have attended the meetings and have seen supporting paperwork facts, the only agenda our new commissioners have is to look out for the best interests of us taxpayers and the budget in which we voted them in to do!!!!
I do realize alot of people do not like change, even if it is for their best interests!
Herb, before you start listening to hearsay, why don't you attend a few meetings of your own and actually gather facts as a reporter does and remember, there are two sides to every storey!!

Bay Views said...

Note the total lack of specifics.

Anonymous said...

Herb- Provide the facts and support them with idaho statues and laws- the commissioners did take an oath to follow those items in performance of their duties. perhaps the peole should again try to recall Guinn as an obstructance to due process and the effective oversight in managing the district. somebody should find out how nuch Guinn and Weiss has cost the District inlegal fees based on there ongoing disagreements with statues/laws/idaho supreme court and the Atty General- how can 2 commissoners in less than one month cause the ex-chief to do what he did? Wiess/Guinn and Quillen were the experianced ones at that point so we thought. no wonder good honest people who care don't want to be involved as they are chastized for trying to do whats correct legaly for the district. perhaps bayview should incorperate, hire Jack as city manager and get out of our District. The display show Monday night wa what teenagers do not mature retired people. the displeasure should be on those that cant understand the facts instead of opinions.. Food for thought!!!!!!uh!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Maybe it is time as a community to try and find a person to run for Kirk's position? A person who would be unbiased. The individual would need to understand and care about the district as a whole. I can think of a few I would not recommend. So is there anyone reading this blog who would up to the challenge?

Weise took a course of action that was irreversible according to the laws of this state.
NJ

B Gregg said...

Herb,

As I am not up on all the political aspects of running a Fire district, I would like to know, if the TLFPD was disbanded and The Bayview Fire District re-started, where would the funds come from to operate and manage it?

Would you need a board of 5 new commissioners to oversee it?

Who in the area has the expertise to manage the district, do budgets, apply for grants, make sure that all the equipment meets Nationally accepted Fire Standards for safe operation, and how would this person be paid?

Several people on your blog and many in the community have already opposed a tax levy, so how then would we get the money to run such a Fire District properly when the entire burden of financial responsibility would now fall upon the community of Bayview alone to support?

B Gregg

Bay Views said...

Up until about 7 years ago, Athol and Bayview had separate fire departments. Athol wanted to expand and definitely wanted the taxes from the upscale homes on the cape and the substantial income from the businesses and marinas in Bayview. They wanted our tax dollars. They proposed a merger which was accepted. If Bayview were to leave the district, it would still have those tax dollars and their share of the equipment returned.

Anonymous said...

I googled the consolidation and it happened in 2001: As far as taxes go athol, go back to the records and check the facts. Yes they would have the Tax dollars but they have to pay a chief and firefighters and the daily cost of running a district and yes you get the fire boat back? Heck, our volunteer base in Bayview is so sad how could they do that, and yet they want it all, Oh bayview folks wanting seperation in general are to old to quailify to serve and the others are busy trying to raise family's and run businesses. Perhaps someone should write a sit-com about Bayview and the twisted thought patterns---Wait 1200+- people in an 8000 +- district want services above and beyond what the rest get and pay for.... Take the Cape, DAC, and other self intrest groups out IE MAxwell Van-LAck and see what the real people want if they have time to get involved....MR. B. Gregg, Thank you for good questions, at least this is good for the ones that would like to break off from timberlake they now have some basic questons of needs and responsibilitiest laid out for them. you only need 3 commissioner and Bayveiw has the best Ex-fire chief in the world. Let them pay him 1/8th of the tax base oh not enough for him with the experance level and past job history. I belive a lot of real good common folk live in BAyview and are truely embarressed by the special intrest groups. I encorage all people living in the Timberlake Fire District to attend the BAyview Chamber meeting on Aug 10th at 6PM and seee what they want your district to become... if you care about the district show up and listen. once again a citizen want'd to hit an elected offical at a distrcit meeting grow up Sue, Jon and followers of lies..

B Gregg said...

Ok so we have tax dollars from the marina's, businesses and upscale homes of the cape.

Who is going to oversee it? A separate Fire Commission?

Would it be all volunteer or have a paid staff?

How could we be sure as a community that the staff and equipment would be up to the standards for safety etc?

What equipment are talking about when you say equipment would be returned?

Who would provide a new batch of firefighters with the necessary training they require to perform their duties safely and properly?

All these things cost money and with Timberlake barely meeting these requirements I cant see Bayview standing alone and bearing the burden even with an all volunteer dept.

Anonymous said...

... and at this point we have no one who has stepped forward to run for Quillin's position?

NJ

Anonymous said...

Why would anyone want to subject themselves to being involved in this fiasco and having to deal with the remaining commissioner's fighting amongst themselves?

Anonymous said...

What about the guys who walked in 6 months ago and they never new each other..or the disfuntion they are exposed to.... look at the job and the only real resaon they ran was to serve the people..they are/should be unbiased..just representives that want whats best for the firefighters and the citizens......the only fight with the commisioners is one who defies the state of Idaho laws and supreme court rulings... and has been causing unessary legal fee's.. gee I hear the taxpayer will get with out a levy over 70k next year to provide better equipment and improve the stations... step back and do the math.. Better equipment, training, facilities and satisfaction is worth a change from the same ol'e way of duing business.. oh gee it might cost us less....

Anonymous said...

What about the guys who walked in 6 months ago and they never new each other..or the disfuntion they are exposed to.... look at the job and the only real resaon they ran was to serve the people..they are/should be unbiased..just representives that want whats best for the firefighters and the citizens......the only fight with the commisioners is one who defies the state of Idaho laws and supreme court rulings... and has been causing unessary legal fee's.. gee I hear the taxpayer will get with out a levy over 70k next year to provide better equipment and improve the stations... step back and do the math.. Better equipment, training, facilities and satisfaction is worth a change from the same ol'e way of duing business.. oh gee it might cost us less....

Anonymous said...

The district getting another 70K without a levy to spend on equipment and training is a load of bull.

Former Chief Krill was only making approx 69K a year... ok

But how much of that is the Northern Lakes Fire district getting to take over management of the TLFPD?? I'm assuming they arent doing it for free.

Bay Views said...

I had to reject a comment today, something I really don't like to do, as both, if in fact there are only tso sides, to every debate deserve to be heard.

For those with short attention spans, I will once again reiterate my comment policy.Someone the other day said to me, "I thought you weren't goint to publish any more anonympous comments." I have never said that. What I have said, is that if you make your comment personal, that is to say, make dispariging remarks about the person, their motives, or call names, you won't get published. Especially if you attack me on my own blog.

Those that wish to name themselves have a somewhat wider latitude than those that hide behind rocks throwing stones anonymously, and I might add, cowardly at others. If you have a strong oppinion, at the very least, have the balls to identify yourself. Otherwise, you fit the description of the coward that I just mentioned.

Anonymous said...

Earlier on your blog Commissioner Quillin gave a detailed report concerning how much it would cost to use NOrtheren Lakes as a management resource:
"Fire Chief Salary 71,200
Fire Chief Payroll Burden 9910
Fire Chief Benefits 11503
Admin Assist. Salary 37700
Admin Assist. Payroll Burden 4016
Admin Assist. Benefits 12823
PT Training Officer 11376
PT Technical Advisor 4500
Conferences, etc. 3400

Totals $166,000 MOU $80,000

Total Savings $86428"

Again it was a matter of trying to balance the budget.

NJ

Bay Views said...

I just removed the commissioner responds." I did so, because a reader correctly informed me that one comment was slanderous. Because it named names, rather than an organization in general, it was posted in error. I removed the entire post because of that.

Bay Views said...

Rudy: There was nothing in the body of Kirk's post that was out of line. It was a flamethrower that named names in the comment section. A reader pointed it out and I immediately pulled the post.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for trying to keep some balance, i would not want your job as blogmaster.

Rudy

Bay Views said...

I sometimes feel the same way,Rudy. What motivates me though, is aside from my positions on issues, is the juvenile name calling that most that disagree can't help from prefecing their remarks with. This, not the message, generally is what gets a comment nixed. When a comment starts out with stuff like, yer an idiot, or you have your head stuck in the sand, etc. it shows that those with strong opinions and weak logic can't express themsel es without vitrolic prefaces.