IFPD, the times, they are a changin'

Change can occur quickly, sometimes almost instantly and sometimes slower. The Idyllwild Fire Protection District (IFPD) is embracing change at a pace between revolutionary and evolutionary.

In August, three incumbent commissioners were defeated for re-election. In Decmber, the new commissioners took officer. Last night, at their second regular, but fourth meeting, since begin sworn into office, the commission took and deferred several actions that continue their journey down the change path.

Without opposition, Jeannine Charles-Stigall, elected as a fire commissioner in August, was chosen as the new commission president. Pete Capparelli, also a new commissioner will be her vice president and Commissioner Ben Killingsworth was unanimously re-elected as the commission secretary and treasurer.

The election of officers was delayed from the first action item on the agenda to the last item. Former President Paul Riggi was delayed until almost 8 p.m.

Riggi discussed the merit of rotating the officer positions so that all the commissioners understood the responsibilities and significance of the jobs.

Stigall’s first official action was closing the marathon meeting — almost four hours.

Another action, or perhaps, non-action may portend a more significant change in the future. Killingsworth made a motion to renew Fire Chief Steve Kunkle’s contract through the remainder of this fiscal year, ending June 30. None of the three other commissioners (this occurred before Riggi arrived) made a second and the motion died with no action.

Kunkle’s most recent contract expired June 30, 2009. Since then he has been serving without any signed contract. Killingsworth wanted to extend the current contract until the commission could formally evaluate Kunkle’s performance and make a decision on renewing it for a longer term.

The commission now seems to be in the situation where it can reconsider Killingsworth’s plan, continue with no action or meet and try to negotiate something else including no renewal.

The commission also established an ad Hoc committee, composed of Killingsworth and Capparelli, to review the financial officer’s contract and activities. This could lead to recommendations to revise the current relationship between IFPD and The Family Business.

Killingsworth will also lead an evaluation of IFPD’s management and supervision practices.