STANWOOD – A rift is developing between Stanwood’s firefighters and the city’s elected leaders.
The firefighters were originally angered by Mayor Herb Kuhnly’s request for Kevin Taylor’s resignation as interim fire chief Aug. 26. Kuhnly was dissatisfied with the lack of progress in merging with an adjacent fire district.
Now, firefighters are resisting the City Council’s pick for Taylor’s interim replacement – Rex Lindquist, fire chief for neighboring Snohomish County Fire District 14.
The council pulled back at first from an interim deal with Lindquist after vocal opposition from firefighters and residents at a council meeting last Thursday.
The council, however, now appears ready to hire Lindquist. At a workshop Tuesday, City Councilwoman Cheryl Baker – who had voted to table the interim deal Sept. 2 – said she supported it.
Other options had been considered but did not pan out, she said. “I feel like now we need to move forward,” Baker said.
No action was taken, but each council member indicated how they would probably vote at their meeting Sept. 16. Baker joined Shelley Klasse and Gil Powell in favor, while Andy Chappel and Dianne White were opposed.
Acting Chief Rob Buchanan, one of Stanwood’s full-time firefighters, tried to steer the council toward other options.
One would be to hire Jim Ruble of the Stanwood Community Ambulance Service as an interim administrator for either six weeks or through 2005. Other options included hiring Doug McNall, a former fire chief from Everett, or Arlington Fire Chief Mike Ganz, in the interim.
Notably absent from his list was Lindquist, but he did not explain why.
Residents Jeff Pearce and Tina Stanley criticized Lindquist at last week’s meeting.
“Chief Rex Lindquist does not appear to have the confidence of the firefighters of District 14 nor the Stanwood Fire Department,” Pearce told the council.
That’s not true, said District 14’s Capt. Christian Davis, president of the local firefighters’ union.
“We’ve been pleased,” Davis said Wednesday. “We actually hope he stays long-term. None of us have lost any confidence.”
Lindquist said he is simply trying to help Stanwood.
At Tuesday’s workshop, Klasse blasted Stanwood’s firefighters for “consistently putting up roadblocks” to merging with District 14. She took offense that Buchanan had used city work hours to make calls on the issue.
“I find that highly inappropriate that you put in your time doing that,” Klasse said, adding that personnel issues are the mayor’s job.
White defended Buchanan.
“I personally don’t have a problem taking input from the firefighters,” White said, drawing applause from the crowd of about 40 people.
“Ditto,” Powell said.
But Powell still supported the interim deal with Lindquist, pointing out that the contract allows either side to terminate it.
“Like any subcontractor, if they don’t do the job right, you can fire them,” Powell said.
The council’s majority told the mayor to put the issue on the agenda for Sept. 16.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
