RECALL: Don't let good man down

This letter is to express my complete support for Fire Commissioner Chris Shelton. He has conducted himself with integrity and honesty as chairman of the Mica Kidd Island Board of Commissioners and his vision for the MKI Fire District is shared by the volunteers of the fire department. The ballot measure for his recall should be rejected.

I am a taxpayer in the district and have been a volunteer fireman for seven years. I have watched Chris since his election as commissioner and he has dealt with members of the department and members of our community with fairness, and has listened to their opinions and concerns. He has promote inclusiveness in his dealings with the public.

Chris Shelton comes from the business community and has always worked hard to make sure our district operates using proven business practices.

As to the charges listed by those who are attempting to recall Chris, the Prosecutor’s Office has determined that the executive board meeting that was convened was not illegal. Please refer to Sept. 27, Coeur d’Alene Press. It is truly a shame that the charge remains on the recall ballot.

As to the fee table, meetings concerning this subject had been going on for about a year. Several meetings were held with many proposed items removed after input from concerned citizens, the fire department personnel and conversations between the three commissioners. Some of our citizens even proposed their own fee table. Everything was taken into account along with fee structures that exist within other fire districts. Only after this long and exhaustive process, along with a great deal of legal advice, were the proposed fees presented for adoption. The fee table was passed unanimously by the three commissioners. Not a word of protest was heard from the citizens present at the BOC meeting. The parties who started the recall process were present at that meeting. If the fee table is so onerous, why no protest? Why aren’t the other two commissioners up for recall? Remember, the vote was unanimous. A reading of the fee table will show that it will benefit the fire department and the citizens of the district.

As to the charge of failure to maintain equipment, a conversation with our Fire Chief would persuade folks that Chris did not fail here at all. In fact he has always worked to make sure that the department has the best equipment in a good state of repair that it can afford.

As to the charge that Chris has lost touch with the wishes and desires of the community, perhaps a portion of the community wants to see Chris recalled but there are others in the district that need to let their voices be heard and their no recall vote to be counted.

TERRY MONTANYE

Coeur d’Alene