League of Women Voter Observer Corps notes: Fire District 2 special meeting,
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Submitted by the League of Women Voters Observer Corps.
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization, encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to expand public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.
SJI Fire District Special Meeting of May 26.
The Fire District held a special meeting on May 26 to evaluate candidates for the temporary commissioner vacancy and to review a contract for the assistant chief and make an addendum to the chief’s contract.
At the public portion of the meeting, each of the three candidates who put themselves forward were invited to introduce themselves and state their qualifications.
Rebecca Smith stated that she would not be running for the open position in November. She had been a fire district commissioner for six years in the past and a public hospital district commissioner. She also had experience as an EMT and in corporate management experience.
Jerry Henderson said he was familiar with the fire district, had fifteen years of experience as a firefighter and training officer. His work experience was as a manager in industry. He had recently retired and moved back to the island and was looking for a place to contribute. He had no experience in public office.
Warren Appleton had experience as a doctor and a lawyer. He worked in the Detroit Fire Department and the Redmond, Washington Fire Department. He served on the Redmond City Council and there had worked on EMS/fire department integration.
The Commissioners did not ask any questions of the candidates in the public forum. They went into executive session (without the candidates.)
They returned to the public session and announced they had selected Jerry Henderson to fill the temporary vacancy. They voted to accept the contract for the assistant chief and to approve a retirement addendum to the chief’s contract.
