QUILCENE — The process to select a replacement for former Fire Chief Bob Low began in earnest Monday night, with plans to advertise for the job in the next few weeks.
Low resigned as chief of the Quilcene Fire Department — Jefferson County Fire District No. 2 — on June 23, stating differences with two of the three fire commissioners as the reason, and was named as assistant chief of support services for East Jefferson Fire-Rescue last week.
At his resignation, Low said he would stay as chief if Commissioner Mike Whittaker resigned. A recall drive against Whittaker and Commissioner Dave Ward has been initiated.
Low begins his new job Monday and has not indicated whether he would return to Quilcene if the board’s makeup were to change.
Low could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Low earned $57,602 salary and a $9,000 housing allowance in Quilcene while East Jefferson Fire-Rescue will pay him $70,000 a year.
The salary for the new chief could be as low a $54,000 per year, but no upper limit has been determined, according to Commissioner Debbie Randall.
Randall said the timing of the job posting was uncertain, but the application deadline will be at the end of August.
At Monday’s meeting, the board finalized a contract with Deputy Chief Bob Moser to head the department until a new chief was hired.
Moser has indicated that he is not interested in the permanent position.
The board also hired Seattle attorney Malcolm Harris to represent the department in the recall action should that be needed.
The recall action will be addressed in Jefferson County Superior Court, after which time petitions will be collected.
An election could occur between 30 and 45 days after the petition is received.
The fire department has been troubled by allegations of improper conduct by Whittaker and Ward over the board’s creating an $800-a-month job for Ward in January 2010.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
