Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Mason County Fire District 12 commissioners John Pais, left, Albert Wilder, center, and Brian Jutson conduct the monthly meeting in November in Matlock.
Mason County Fire District 12 decided to retain Fire Chief Kelli Walsworth through May 19 after fire commissioners voted unanimously April 19 to dismiss Walsworth.
According to an announcement on Fire District 12's website, the district will function "as normal" and commissioners Albert Wilder, John Pais and Brian Jutson are reviewing other options.
Following the April 19 vote, the district posted an announcement that all volunteers had resigned effective immediately, temporarily suspending operations within the district "due to wishes of community."
"In response ALL volunteers resigned effective immediately there is no aid or fire response available," the post on Fire District's 12 website read. "Should you need to call 911 be prepared for an extended wait time as Central Mason Medic One will be responding from Shelton. It is very unfortunate that it has come to this. Please be careful out there!"
Mason County commissioner Kevin Shutty, who represents the area of Fire District 12, sent an email the morning of April 20, which was obtained by the Journal, asking Mason County Fire Chiefs Beau Bakken, Mike Patti and Mathew Welander and Macecom Executive Director Michael Evans about contingency plans in place to ensure people have fire and EMS coverage.
"I have heard from a number of constituents in Matlock and believe it is a complete dereliction of duty by the commission to have allowed their situation to come to this," Shutty said in the email. "I hope their malfeasance does not create further liability for the district or worse, jeopardize the lives of their neighbors. They should do the right thing and resign so that competent members of the community can be appointed to the board to restore the public's trust in the district."
The Journal emailed Wilder and Jutson, and called Pais for comments on its decision to dismiss Walsworth without cause. Pais responded in an email, "We have no further comment as we weigh our options." Pais also said, "We have no intention of giving an interview either before or after the completion of the audit."
Wilder and Jutson did not respond to a request for comment before the Journal's print deadline Wednesday.
The state Audtior's Office has been auditing the district since November.
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