Nattering nabobs of negativity shall not apply

Longtime fire commissioner Bill Meursing has resigned his position for personal reasons after over 15 years on the board, most of them as chair.

“I wish the fire department nothing but progress and good stuff,” said Meursing, whose resignation is effective January 1, 2019. “I’ve enjoyed working there and I won’t be a stranger.”

Meursing played a critical role in extracting the local fire department from its contract with North Whatcom Fire and Rescue and setting the course for local leadership of emergency services. “That was an unworkable situation, nothing but a drain of funds and ineffective micro-management of our department,” he said.

He also played a leading role in securing voter approval for a doubling of taxes in 2010 and in the replacement of chief Nick Kiniski with current chief Christopher Carleton. “The department has never been run better,” he said.

The fire district is now accepting applications from candidates for the commission. To be eligible, candidates must be a U.S. Citizen 18 years old or older, a registered voter residing within the fire district boundaries for at least 30 days, have no felony convictions and no contractual conflict of interest. Letters of interest and resumes should be delivered or mailed to board secretary Linda Hughes at 2030 Benson Road, Point Roberts, WA 98281 no later than 5 p.m. January 18, 2019. Appointment may be made at the February regular meeting. For further information about the process or the duties of a fire district commissioner, please contact Commissioner Virginia Lester at vlester@wcfd5.com.

The Point Roberts Park and Recreation District is also looking for community members to fill two vacancies on their board in the new year.

When the board met on December 18 it was the last meeting for outgoing chairman Linda Hughes and board member Sonia Liu also submitted her resignation. People interested in serving on the board and shaping the future of Point Roberts park and recreation are invited to attend the board’s next meeting on January 14 at 7 p.m. and share why they are interested in the position. For more information contact Falk at stalk.prpr@gmail.com.