Chief fired up for levy
From our weekly issue dated November 19, 2008
Chief Harry Rich has declared his intention to resubmit a levy request for full-time firefighters for Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD).
The chief commented on the defeat of the IVFD levy in the Nov. 4 election during a board meeting Thursday night, Nov. 13 at administrative HQ in Cave Junction. Directors Jerry Lamb and Sam Michel were absent.
The proposal sought a levy of $1.68 per $1,000 assessed valuation for five years.
“We need more people in the office, and for fire prevention, and as first responders (trained firefighters),” said Rich. “I will keep hammering on this until you throw my butt out,” he told Directors Larrick Jones, Bob Butler and Dusty Bouchard.
“What we need I will ask for again,” he said. “I need what I need; a minimum of 12 paid full-time firefighters.” A current paid firefighter staff of three, coupled with declining numbers of volunteer firefighters, has prompted the chief’s levy proposals.
The one on Nov. 4 lost, 70 percent to 30 percent, about the same as one submitted earlier, Rich said. “It lost due to a meltdown in the economy,” he noted.
The fact that 30 percent approval was recorded, despite the tough economy, was noted by Butler. His wife Linda, was lauded by Rich for leading the levy PAC. He also lavished praise on a number of others who worked to pass the levy.
Also during the 65-minute meeting, a presentation of some 30 minutes was made by Richard Brewster, a certified public accountant of Medford, engaged by IVFD.
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During his audit review, he gave the district high marks for accuracy, dependability and overall accountability. He outlined a handful of slight oversight problems, none of which are cause for alarm, he indicated.
Areas needing attention include accrued vacation time. Brewster noted that there is some $54,000 worth of unused vacation time, of which around $30,000 belongs to Rich.
Brewster said that IVFD also needs to work on building a cash reserve. Another area involves depreciation of equipment, and all areas can be remedied with minimum difficulty, he pointed out.
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