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52 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, April 4, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 18, 2004 Tensions grow at fire district Evans Valley folk disturbed by efforts of board members to silence Chief Fuller By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune WIMER — Attempts to muzzle Evans Valley Fire Chief Bill Fuller and the media by three board members facing recall have added more tension in the beleaguered district, community members say. At a special meeting Wednesday, Don and Greg Worthington and Ron Mailho reiterated their concerns about Fuller making comments to the public about his employment. The three also asked whether media should be required to make a written request for information regarding the board’s public meetings. Wimer resident Christle Brooks said she was appalled when, last Thursday, the Worthingtons called in the district’s attorney, Martial Henault, to tell Fuller he had "no statutory right to go on at length about his contract." The board voted to limit the chief’s comments to one sentence. "It was disgusting," said Brooks. "I thought it was cowardly, and I told them so. Why can’t he (Fuller) make a response? They just don’t want the people to know why the chief is leaving." Secretary Larry Tuttle had been taken to task for sending meeting agendas to local news media. Tuttle on Wednesday said it was his understanding he was required under Oregon law to do so. Advertisement Tuttle said he was bothered by the efforts of the board to suppress free speech. "I have to agree it’s an attempt to shoot down Bill (Fuller)," he said. "People are genuinely concerned by it." Tuttle also said he disagreed with the perception that public discussion and news media attention had been bad for the fire district. "All this attention is bringing in volunteers," said Tuttle. "On the one hand, they (the community) are distressed by the board and want a recall. But they’re pulling together for the good of the community." Fuller said calling in the district’s attorney creates a chilling effect on open dialogue. "It‘s been taken way out of the arena of friendly discussion," he said. "Now everyone has to have their attorney speak for them." Former Fire Chief Scott Lochard, now a professional mediator, offered to mediate the contentious issues among the board, chief and community members. The board unanimously agreed after members were assured Lochard would be providing the mediation pro bono. Organizers of the recall say they have more than enough signatures to put the issue to a vote sometime this spring. The Worthingtons and Mailho were given a vote of no confidence by the Evans Valley Firefighter Association at Thursday’s meeting. Wimer resident Kay Pawlick says she hopes the recall is fast and successful. "We need to get people in here who’ll listen to the community," said Pawlick. "They obviously won’t." The next public meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday at the Evans Valley Fire Station. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times