Editorial: Fire board should broaden representation with appointment

Your elected leaders leading: -- Web Link

The Fire Board will continue its consideration of the 7 excellent candidates at its 17 Oct Board meeting and, after opportunity for public comment, hopefully will fulfill its responsibility to fill the vacant position.

As a resident of East Palo Alto (which I note is not an option in the neighborhoods listed), I heartily agree.

Hopefully, the 2 directors who were't prepared last time will be able to make a decision at their October meeting. How embarrassing for Bernstein and Kiraly. Previous Boards were able to appoint directors when there was a vacancy; not sure why these two couldn't do their job.

I'm glad to see that there is interest in the position.

This process has been flawed from the start.

1. The district gave different stories about Ianson's resignation date. The date is important. It determines the deadline by which the board must fill the vacancy, in this case 60 days. If the board doesn't act in time, it goes to the board of supervisors.

2. Peter Carpenter at first wanted Ianson to vote with the rest of the board on his replacement. That was ridiculous since Carpenter -- who is always telling other people what the rules are -- ought to know that would be impossible under the Government Code 1780 (d) (1). The board can only consider a vacancy after the vacancy occurs.

3. Based on the video, the interviews were inadequate. It was like the board was going through the motions. Nobody would hire an employee for their business using such a superficial process, so why should we put somebody on an important local board this way?

4. There was a confrontation at the Sept. 19 meeting between Carpenter and Kiraly over whether the board should vote that night on a replacement or take more time. The board appeared to split 2-2 on this question, with Kiraly and Bernstein wishing to take more time, while Carpenter and Silano wanting an immediate vote.

5. [Part removed. Please avoid negative characterizations in Town Square posts.]

[Part removed. Please avoid speculation in Town Square posts.]

I believe Nachtscheim was on the board several years ago when the district has having so many labor issues. One of the questions they should have asked Nachtscheim is what did he learn from the district's legal dispute with the firefighters' union? What mistakes does he believe were made when he was on the board? It's a fair question since the fire district was fined by PERB for several law violations in how they dealt with the union. (I'm not a fan of the union, but when it comes to collective bargaining agreements, it's important for both sides to obey the law.)

[Part removed.]

I apologize Mr. or Ms. Censor for my characterization of two MPFPD directors. Please let me rephrase my point.

1. Why isn't Rob Silano more independent of Peter Carpenter? Tapes of previous meetings show that Silano seems to frequently echo Carpenter but he does not contribute his own ideas.

2. If appointed, will Nachtscheim he be independent of Carpenter's influence?

Again, I apologize for phrasing my point in a politically incorrect way. I work with my hands, and I'm used to calling a spade a spade and not mincing words.

As always, the Fire Board welcomes public comments before it votes on any matter on its agenda.

"A fundamental element of democracy is the right of citizens to address their elected representatives. Therefore under Public Comment #2, the public may address the Board on any subject not listed on the Agenda. Each speaker may address the Board for a limit of three minutes. The filing of speaker cards is not mandatory, but is helpful in creating an accurate record. The Board cannot act on items not on the agenda and therefore the Board cannot respond to non-agenda issues brought up under Public Comment other than to provide general information. District policy assures members of the public the opportunity to speak to any regular or special meeting agenda item before final action. This opportunity to speak is during the public discussion of each agenda item and must be related to matters under consideration for that agenda item."

I doubt that you will find such explicit language on the importance of Public Comment on the agenda of any other public agency.

To The Almanac:

I read your Editorial article dated October 4, 2017 title "Fire board should broaden representation with appointment". Thank you for your vote of Confidence.

Sincerely,

Robert Jones
Candidate for Menlo Park Fire Protection District