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Christine on Target of recall, Collins refutes claims in NACFD petition

Fri, 21 Sep 2018 23:06:41 -0700

Target of recall, Collins refutes claims in NACFD petition

Northern Arizona Consolidated Fire District board director Mike Collins

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By Hubble Ray Smith

KINGMAN – The petition filed to recall two Northern Arizona Consolidated Fire District board members is a “smoke screen” for the public, NACFD director Mike Collins said Friday.

“Where do we start?” Collins asked about petition allegations.

He refuted claims that more than 50 firefighters have left the district because of a “hostile” work environment, and said alleged open meeting law violations by him and board member Jim Bailey have been investigated and debunked.

Former Fire Chief Wayne Eder, whose employment contract was terminated by the board at a special meeting May 23, is directly responsible for his employees, and has a history of “intimidation and bullying,” Collins said.

“Ultimately, the claims Wayne Eder is making against us in creating a hostile environment, they’re unfounded,” Collins said. “And this whole union shenanigan, if we wanted something to do with the union, it would have made more sense in eight years that we would have done something with the union. I’m not a union guy, and there were no secret meetings with the union.”

Collins said he was investigated by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Yavapai County Attorney and state Attorney General, and none of them found any wrongdoing.

“Another claim is that the (Mohave County) Board of Supervisors is corrupt, the Yavapai County Attorney is corrupt, now they’re reaching out to the FBI,” the director said. “The whole world can’t all be corrupt. They’re throwing a temper tantrum because they can’t get what they want.”

Former NACFD director Sue Wilkin is behind the recall effort. She was indicted, along with former director Vic Riccardi, for conflict of interest involving a $1,357 payment for diagnosing a mechanical problem on a fire truck at a repair shop owned by Riccardi’s son-in-law in Valle Vista.

Both were forced to resign from the board.

Eder has claimed violations of state law, but has never specified what laws have been broken, Collins added.

“So to throw those claims out without any substance is like throwing spaghetti against the wall,” he said.

At a special NACFD board meeting Thursday, directors approved an agreement for legal services with local attorney Charlotte Wells for a flat fee of $2,000 a month. Wells was the fire district’s counsel until 15 months ago, when she resigned due to board hostility.

The board then hired Prescott attorney Bill Whittington, who billed the district by the hour. With all of the “excitement” over the last 15 months, his bill went up fast, Collin said.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, the board approved preliminary adoption of a $5.2 million budget that will not raise current tax rates of $3.12 for every $100 of assessed value. Public hearing and final adoption is scheduled for June 21.

Christine on NACFD Patti Lewis chair resigns

Fri, 21 Sep 2018 15:59:29 -0700

Unbelievable -- you either have a board of do-nothing apathetic and ignorant "volunteers" or you have one or two people kick ass and constant disputes between the doers and the morons.

THAT is why Mohave County fire districts are in constant turmoil.

Why???? Is it because they're all Republicans?

Lewis resigns from NACFD board after appointments

Patty Lewis, left, chairwoman of Northern Arizona Consolidated Fire District’s governing board, speaks with a friend following her announcement Thursday that she’s resigning from the board. (Photo by Hubble Ray Smith/Daily Miner)

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By Hubble Ray Smith

KINGMAN – The governing board of Northern Arizona Consolidated Fire District filled two vacancies Thursday night, but now has another after Chairwoman Patty Lewis resigned her position.

Lewis dropped the bomb at the end of the meeting in which she was outvoted by board members Mike Collins and Jim Bailey in appointing replacements for Vic Riccardi and Sue Wilkin, who agreed to resign as part of their plea agreement for criminal conflict-of-interest charges.

“I’m going to Washington to help the president, so I’m going to resign my position. You’ll have to get someone else,” Lewis said.

In the first order of business, following approval of minutes from past meetings, Collins opened an envelope with letters from six people interested in applying for the NACFD board vacancies.

One of them was from Wilkin, who was nominated by Lewis to return to her former position.

“We can’t do that,” Bailey told her.

But Lewis corrected him and said the judge allowed it, and Wilkin, who was sitting in the audience with other applicants, said she spoke with her attorney and there was nothing in the agreement that prevented her from re-applying for the board.

Collins nominated Erik Berg, and the vote was 2-1. Lewis noted for the record that Berg missed 17 meetings as a past NACFD board member.

The same vote resulted for Riccardi’s replacement, with Lewis again nominating Wilkin, and Collins picking Carl Hays, backed by Bailey.

“There’s no sense in me fighting with them,” Lewis told the Daily Miner after the meeting. “I’m outnumbered 4-1.”

She said the board had been abiding by 2012 rules in which a majority vote (three out of five) was need for approval of agenda items, and that if there were only three members, it had to be unanimous.

“I’ve been here 15 years. That’s long enough,” Lewis said. “It’s not worth it for me. I’m 73.”

However, Lewis added that she’ll sue the fire district if it closes down the fire station she personally paid for on northern Stockton Hill Road.

Also submitting letters of interest to the board were Jerry Lucero, Danny Stutzman and Rick Veradt.

During public comment, a couple of people from the audience spoke against the appointments, one of them asking about the union putting together a “contingency plan” in case the board is disbanded. He noted that Bailey and Berg were formerly employed by the Kingman Fire Department, which is unionized.

Bailey responded that he had no idea of such a plan.

In other action from the NACFD meeting, the board approved $19,000 to repair a ladder truck following inspection, including new tires, and up to $9,000 for a pumper tanker stationed in Valle Vista.

Christine on Hays disqualified from running for fire district governing board

Fri, 24 Aug 2018 12:38:30 -0700

I don't understand why it is so difficult to have criteria for who can be on a fire district board and enforce them QUICKLY.

LMRFD is constantly paying for legal advice -- CRAPPY legal advice, and nothing is ever resolved.

They'll have to file ANOTHER lawsuit to find out what the law means!

Arizona insanity.

https://kdminer.com/news/2018/aug/24/hays-disqualified-running-fire-district-governing-/

KINGMAN – The odds were stacked against Carl Hays from the moment he walked into Judge Lee Jantzen’s Mohave County Superior Courtroom, five minutes late for his scheduled appearance Thursday.

The court clerk had already called for him twice, and the judge was surprised to see him take a seat in the audience.

The courtroom was packed with 17 supporters of plaintiffs Arthur Gurnica, Patti Lewis and Rick Veradt, who filed a lawsuit to prevent Hays from running for the Northern Arizona Consolidated Fire District board of governors in November due to lack of petition signatures.

Also named in the lawsuit and present at the hearing were County Elections Director Allen Tempert and County Recorder Kristi Blair, represented by County Attorney Ryan Esplin.

Jantzen said he set the matter quickly because of the election process and possible appeals along the way. He read the plaintiffs’ petition and the answer from the county, which found an insufficient number of valid signatures for Hays to appear on the November ballot. He needed 57.

Hays, representing himself, said he agrees with the county, noting that the signatures challenged by the plaintiffs were accepted, but the recorder found other signatures to be invalid.

The case would have been quickly settled had Veradt and Gurnica not asked the judge to rule on whether Hays can even serve on the NACFD board, as he was appointed in April to replace one of the members who was forced to resign.

Jantzen answered that he did not have jurisdiction to make that determination, and it would have to be filed as a separate matter. The judge added that he read Hays’ argument that he doesn’t need to have a residency in the district to sit on the board.

Hays’ critics allege that his listed address at 4905 Flightline Drive at Kingman Airport is not a legal residence. Mohave County building officials have agreed that it’s a commercial structure, with no bathroom, kitchen or bedroom.

“You may be 100 percent right,” Jantzen said, “but that’s not in court today. He wants to be on the November ballot. This is an election challenge. I set an election challenge and not where he’s kicked off the board.”

Esplin agreed with the court’s decision, that Hays should not be on the November ballot, and the case is strictly an election challenge.

“We’re not done,” Veradt said after the hearing. “We’ve got to go after him to get him off the board to invalidate what he’s done.”

Hays was as quick to leave as he was late to arrive and has not been cooperative in responding to questions from the Daily Miner.

He was also ordered to pay $318 in filing fees and $60 for a subpoena to Gurnica, in addition to $202 in fees for services to Lewis.

Christine on Ex LMRFD chief Patrick Moore named Bullhead Fire interim chief

Wed, 04 Jul 2018 22:30:03 -0700

Agreed, Ellen, I have NO idea what happened because there are no records to review, but I DO know that they have not earned their pay.

I couldn't even get a listing of assets Flynn sold off.

Asked him in writing.

Got nothing.

Flynn had an agenda and it wasn't the best interest of LMRFD.

I did watch the BOS meeting when they appointed Flynn, very few questions were asked.

Could you point me a a hearing when they begged the BOS for money?

And I really WOULD like to know how Moore's and Toni's salary compare.

Pretty close when you calculate in ALL the costs of employing a chief, ie: retirement, insurances, uniforms, vehicle maintenance, fuel, meetings, training, office equipment and furniture, sick and vacation time, etc...

Did NACFD provide uniforms, insurance, vehicle maintenance, training, office equipment, furniture, etc.?

Ellen Reh-Bower on Ex LMRFD chief Patrick Moore named Bullhead Fire interim chief

Wed, 04 Jul 2018 16:40:08 -0700

"How much was Moore's pay if you INCLUDE the same numbers you added to DeMaio's pay?"

Chief Moore didn't receive any pay other than the contract amount paid to NACFD each month. That flat monthly fee covered the services of his grant writer who obtained several grants for LMRFD, as well as other NACFD services.

"I DO listen to the chief's report every month and I listened to Moore's reports a number of months. Oh wait, I didn't. I was there, he usually wasn't .... At least Toni writes grants and attends all sorts of stuff. Moore did nothing. Where are the minutes of that time?"

Chief Moore was at nearly every meeting and gave the Chief's report. Once in awhile an emergency call prevented his attendance. You were not at any of the meetings from February 2013 through 2014. You began attending around the first of 2015 after an intent to consolidate with NACFD was announced and the "Focus Group" suddenly took an interest and began showing up at meetings. The minutes from that time, as well as ALL historical financials going back years, disappeared from the LMRFD website when it was "upgraded" by Tony's administrative assistant's husband.

"it's not rocket science. LMRFD got so screwed by Flynn and Moore."

Flynn and Moore are the ONLY reason we even have an LMRFD to bitch about. As clearly reported in Mohave County records, if John Flynn and Chief Moore had not stepped up to accept responsibility for pulling the LMRFD out of the $million hole it was in, the County Board of Supervisors would have shut the District down, sold off its assets to pay down the debt, and continued to tax us for years to come to pay off the remainder of the debt. John Flynn and Chief Moore appeared before the BOS every month to present proof of progress in meeting the benchmarks established by the County to warrant their ongoing financial support of the LMRFD. Flynn and Moore basically went BEGGING every month before the County BOS for enough $$ to fund bare essentials to keep the doors open another month. You can see that in the BOS meeting archives. You have NO idea what you are talking about.

Christine on Ex LMRFD chief Patrick Moore named Bullhead Fire interim chief

Wed, 04 Jul 2018 14:52:12 -0700

I just posted the Analysis at

https://forum.highdesertdirt.com/mohave/2015-and-prior-docs/2015-1-personnel-cost-analysis-january-2015/#p155

Ellen, did you prepare it?

So many questions ...

Christine on Ex LMRFD chief Patrick Moore named Bullhead Fire interim chief

Wed, 04 Jul 2018 14:18:33 -0700

1-2015-Personnel-Rates-Cost-Analysis.pdf

I'd like to compare the 2015 Personnel Cost Analysis to TODAY's costs.

How much was Moore's pay if you INCLUDE the same numbers you added to DeMaio's pay?

Of course it would be much easier to simply compare their salaries. I don't actually know how much he was paid, but 56,532/year went to NACFD. Freaking waste of money for doing next to nothing, just like Flynn.

I DO listen to the chief's report every month and I listened to Moore's reports a number of months. Oh wait, I didn't. I was there, he usually wasn't .... At least Toni writes grants and attends all sorts of stuff. Moore did nothing. Where are the minutes of that time?

I grew up in a very similar business, it's not rocket science. LMRFD got so screwed by Flynn and Moore.

Their plan was to pay off the debt and then to consolidate LMRFD with NACFD. Meadview would have the same fantastic services as Chloride got after consolidating with NACFD -- NONE. Not that it's much better now, but that's why we need to separate.

Ellen Reh-Bower on Ex LMRFD chief Patrick Moore named Bullhead Fire interim chief

Wed, 04 Jul 2018 12:16:29 -0700

Pretty close when you calculate in ALL the costs of employing a chief, ie: retirement, insurances, uniforms, vehicle maintenance, fuel, meetings, training, office equipment and furniture, sick and vacation time, etc...

Christine on Ex LMRFD chief Patrick Moore named Bullhead Fire interim chief

Tue, 03 Jul 2018 18:46:23 -0700

So our chief gets $9k/month?

Ellen Reh-Bower on Ex LMRFD chief Patrick Moore named Bullhead Fire interim chief

Tue, 03 Jul 2018 18:38:20 -0700

Christine, you said, "I never understood what Moore got paid for at LMRFD -- he was rarely there."

As with any job, there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that anyone unfamiliar with the position doesn't have a clue about. Chief Moore successfully kept the stations staffed to the extent our finances would allow while recovering from insolvency. He took care of all the behind the scenes chief stuff that kept the LMRFD legally functional, while DELEGATING to qualified personnel, the management of daily operations. He cost the LMRFD about HALF what an in house chief costs us, while fulfilling all the same functions.

Christine on 2018/6/29: Defiant Hays contends it’s nobody’s business where he sleeps

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 23:16:16 -0700

https://thestandardnewspaper.net/index.php/16-countywise/2048-is-nacfd-director-s-house-in-order

Is NACFD director’s house in order?

Defiant Hays contends it’s nobody’s business where he sleeps

KINGMAN – Carl Hays takes the position he doesn’t have to defend himself concerning allegations that he cannot legally serve as a member of the Northern Arizona Consolidated Fire District board of directors.

Recently terminated NACFD Chief Wayne Eder and his supporters challenge that Hays is a legitimate member of the board and they contend any action taken with Hays as a member is illegal and moot.

Where Hays resides is at issue because you must be a resident of the fire district to serve on its board. At the heart of the debate is whether or not Hays resides at his business at the Kingman Airport and whether he can legally inhabit his property that is zoned for airport development.

That business is within the fire district, but his critics say Hays doesn’t have district residency if he resides on a property illegally or that if he doesn’t live there, his residency is uncertain, which should also disqualify him from the board.

“I don’t think it’s anybody’s business,” Hays said. “I’m a legal resident, no matter what, of Mohave County, and their (NACFD) district. That’s all I want to say.”

When asked for additional clarification, Hays indicated he has security concerns with his business and he wants everyone to know that he is there on a very regular basis.

“We have a hell of a theft problem out here and I’ve done everything possible to make it theft-proof,” Hays said. “This is my official residence. This is my official address. I have no occupancy that’s approved for residential and quite frankly I don’t think it’s anybody’s business where I sleep.”

Written by Dave Hawkins

Published: 29 May 2018

Christine on 10 firms hope to recruit next NACFD fire chief

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 23:01:29 -0700

https://thestandardnewspaper.net/index.php/16-countywise/2184-10-firms-hope-to-recruit-next-nacfd-fire-chief

10 firms hope to recruit next NACFD fire chief

KINGMAN – Northern Arizona Consolidated Fire District interim Chief Tim King told directors that 10 firms have expressed interest in helping the district select and hire its next full time chief.

Directors will review the qualifications of the headhunting companies before selecting one for a contract at a future board meeting.

Vacant seat needs filled

Directors extended the time for interested district residents to submit a letter of interest for possible appointment to the seat left vacant by the resignation of Patti Lewis. The district will accept letters of interest until July 9, with possible appointment coming during a special meeting on July 10.

Whoever is appointed to the seat will have less than six months to serve because the seat will be up for grabs in the November general election. The same is true of the seat held by Director Carl Hays, who was appointed to serve out the term of Vic Riccardi, who was forced to leave the board following a corruption-related conviction.

Anyone interested in running for either of the two seats can pull petitions as early as July 9. Petitions must be submitted with the Mohave County Elections office by Aug. 8.

Tax levy remains the same

A $5.2 million budget was approved with little discussion at Thursday's meeting of the Northern Arizona Consolidated Fire District board of directors. The secondary primary property tax levy is unchanged at $3.12 per $100 of assessed property value.

Written by Dave Hawkins
Published: 22 June 2018

Christine on Former fire chief Eder warned to stay off NACFD property; maintains he’s still employed

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 22:38:47 -0700

https://thestandardnewspaper.net/index.php/16-countywise/2091-former-fire-chief-warned-to-stay-off-nacfd-property-maintains-he-s-still-employed

Former fire chief warned to stay off NACFD property; maintains he’s still employed

KINGMAN –Deputies with the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning to Wayne Eder that he is no longer welcome on Northern Arizona Consolidated Fire District property.

Eder, former NACFD chief, was informed that he has been trespassed from fire stations and other NACFD buildings.

Eder has made it clear that he thinks he is still chief because he believes the May 23 meeting and vote by the NACFD governing board terminating his employment were both illegal.

Board of Directors Chairman Jim Bailey and interim Chief Tim King lodged a complaint with the sheriff's office, reporting that Eder visited the station on Butler Avenue on May 30.

Bailey told a deputy that when directed to leave, Eder said he was not fired legally and that he would be returning to work soon to resume his duties.

The sheriff's office served Eder notice on May 31 that he was not to trespass upon NACFD property. Eder wrote the words “under duress” next to his signature on the trespass warning form.

Written by Dave Hawkins
Published: 05 June 2018

Christine on Kingman rated 7th best city in US for paramedics, EMTs

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 22:37:37 -0700

https://thestandardnewspaper.net/index.php/16-countywise/2186-kingman-rated-7th-best-city-in-us-for-paramedics-emts

KINGMAN – Arizona is rated the best state in the union for paramedics and EMTs to work and live – and Kingman is ranked the seventh best city in America for members of the profession, according to a study conducted by http://www.securitychoice.com.

Prescott and Flagstaff join Kingman in the Top 10.

The study took into consideration quality of life, affordability, wages and benefits and other factors.

Smaller cities rated better than did large metro areas.

Salary by State

Salary was one of the primary ranking factors in the analysis. Below is a U.S. map showing the average salary for paramedics and EMT workers in the US.

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Methodology

To determine the top-ranked cities in America for paramedics and EMTs, the group evaluated all of the data available for 645 different cities across the nation. The final categorization was based primarily on five categories which we weighted by level of importance to those in the profession.

...

A long article. Dolan and Meadview didn't make the cut!

Christine on Ex LMRFD chief Patrick Moore named Bullhead Fire interim chief

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 22:26:50 -0700

https://thestandardnewspaper.net/index.php/19-communitywize/2212-moore-named-bullhead-fire-interim-chief

Moore named Bullhead Fire interim chief

BULLHEAD CITY – Patrick Moore is serving as a fire chief once again.
Moore spent more than seven years as chief of the Northern Arizona Consolidated Fire District before resigning after new board members were elected about 19 months ago.

Moore has now been elevated to interim chief of the Bullhead City Fire Department. The Department has been run the last five months by interim Chief Scott Neal.

Chairman Dave Cummings said the board wants to evaluate how Moore and Neal performed while running the organization before possibly promoting one of them to full time chief this fall.

Former Chief Rick Southey was placed on leave before retiring June 1.

Written by Dave Hawkins
Published: 02 July 2018