Rift grows over Stanwood fire chief

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.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.