Matlock fire commissioner resigns

Fire District 12 Commissioner Dave Persell resigned at the Aug. 14 meeting, so the board could appoint a “more qualified individual. Perhaps one that the voters of this district already voted onto this board,” he said, seeming to suggest Nick Jones, who was the only elected member of the previous commission.

Mason County commissioners appointed Trina Young and Persell to Fire 12 positions 1 and 3 respectively, on May 24.

Persell said previous commissioners agreed “not to apply for any of these vacated seats until all three seats have been successfully filled through the proper and prescribed manner.”

Residents organized a recall of Fire 12 Commissioners John Pais, Albert Wilder and Brian Jutson in 2023. They all resigned before the recall, with Compton and Walsworth being appointed sequentially before the commissioners resigned. Jones was the only commissioner of the last group who was elected.

Compton, Walsworth and Jones resigned May 19.

“My decisions were and continue to be based on what I think is best for my community,” Persell told the Journal.

“I am far from done putting in time and effort for this fire district,” Persell said.

He also told the Journal that Jones “fell on his sword for our community. He deserves to be on the board.”

Persell said at his resignation that there was a lot of hard work ahead as a fire district and community.

“We are back on solid ground as a fire district with insurance coverage again,” he said.

“When I raised my hand for this position, I knew that we needed commissioners that were familiar with the situation in MCFD 12. They would also have to make quick decisions without concern for who gets the credit. I also knew we needed someone who would step aside when a more experienced person was needed for the district to become whole again. That time is now,” Persell said.

In his last meeting as commissioner, Persell asked about several invoices before signing off on payment.

“I’m curious why they’re so high,” Persell said, referencing a $55,663.81 voucher for U.S. Fire equipment.

Acting Chief Mike Brown said the charges were for repairs to equipment.

Tinder 12-1 was the most expensive to repair, he said. Brown listed numerous problems to the engine, including the radiator system, which had two missing cooling lines.

“The rear axle brakes were welded to the brake drums, so we couldn’t even move it,” Brown said.

The district’s ambulance needed $14,017 in repairs, according to Brown.

“Everything had to have new batteries,” Brown said. “Nothing would crank over.”

The ambulance also needed new brake pads and the sway brakes were not connected, Brown said.

“Why would all this stuff be wrong?” Persell asked.

“There’s been no maintenance done,” Brown said.

Brown said the owner of U.S. Fire Equipment made a statement to the F.B.I. about lack of maintenance on the equipment.

“He said he’s never seen apparatus in this bad of condition,” Brown said.

The estimated costs of repairing all the district’s equipment will be around $82,000, according to Brown.

Persell also questioned an $11,034.32 bill for Verizon.

“That’s the government cell phone contract that the prior administration had and they hadn’t paid on it in 5½ years,” Brown said.

The regular meeting was once again at the Matlock Fire Hall.

“It’s new in spirit,” Young said. She said 7,000 pounds of garbage was hauled out of the station in a cleanup.

“What it looks like today is night and day,” Young said.