QUILCENE — Citing “an impossible environment,” Quilcene Fire Chief Robert Low resigned Wednesday after 17 months on the job.
Low said there was no single occurrence that prompted his decision but criticized Fire Commissioners Dave Ward and Mike Whittaker for their leadership over the past several months.
“I just can no longer work under Mike and Dave and the direction they are taking this department,” Low wrote in a widely distributed email.
“I feel like I am leaving you in a bad situation, but I feel I have no choice,” Low said in the email.
“It has been an honor to work which such a dedicated and honorable group of people.”
Low was hired to replace Chief Bob Wilson, who died of cancer in April 2009 after leading Quilcene Fire District No. 2 since 1992.
The Quilcene Fire Department’s headquarters were dedicated in Wilson’s name in August.
Low said he will submit his formal resignation papers today, and his last day on the job will be July 14. After that, he will take a week of earned vacation, he said.
One hour after Low sent his email, former fire district Commissioner Bob Rosen used the same distribution list to express support for Low and rally those on the list to “try and fix this.”
“After Chief Bob Wilson passed away, I felt the search for his successor would be futile,” Rosen wrote.
“However, Chief Bob Low has succeeded in winning the enthusiastic support of the volunteers as well as the entire community of Quilcene,” Rosen said.
“He has demonstrated ability, knowledge and a demeanor that has made him truly an asset to all concerned citizens of this area.”
Rosen said Low’s departure will leave the fire department with “nothing but an agenda-driven commission that clearly does not have the best interest of the community as a priority,” Rosen said.
“Chief Wilson is turning over in his grave,” Rosen wrote.
“His memory deserves better. The people of Quilcene deserve better.”
Ward and Commissioner Debbie Randall did not return calls requesting comment Wednesday.
Reached at his home on Wednesday night, Whittaker said he had not heard of Low’s resignation
“This is news to me,” he said.
“The last time I saw him was at a regular meeting [June 13], when he said that we were going to work together.”
Low confirmed that the discussion took place but that he recently found the situation to be unbearable.
“It has become too hard on me and on my family, so I’ve decided it’s best that I just leave,” Low said.
Criticism of the board began after the Jan. 11, 2010, commissioner meeting, when the commissioners hired Ward as chief operating officer to examine and interpret computerized records left behind by Wilson.
The commissioners, including Whittaker and the late Julie McLanahan, approved an $800 monthly salary for Ward that he collected through the summer.
McLanahan resigned for health reasons and was replaced by Rosen, who in turn resigned after four months.
Rosen was replaced by Randall, who is on the ballot for the Nov. 8 general election and is opposed by former Port of Port Townsend Commissioner Herb Beck.
A report from the state auditor dated March 22 concluded that the fire commissioners did not prepare a job description or a contract for the position and did not address deliverables, time sheet documentation or determine who would have oversight responsibilities for the work
“Because he did not document the number of hours he worked as COO, it is unknown whether he worked the reported 92 hours per month to receive the retirement service credit he earned during his eight months on the job,” the report said.
Assistant Attorney General Tim Ford also sent a letter to the district, saying “under RCW 42.23.030 . . . a fire commissioner couldn’t vote to approve a contract where he will be the COO for the district.”
Last summer, a petition signed by 15 volunteer firefighters, representing about half the department’s staff, called for the resignations of Ward and Whittaker.
It was refused.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
