Retired firefighter Jim Perry, retired school teacher Eileen Taufer and retired Calaveras Sheriff Captain Keith Anderson all submitted letters of interest for the vacant board position. One other letter was submitted but withdrawn the morning of the 13th soon after the applicant was informed that interviews would be public. According to Chief Kovacs County Counsel had informed him that the interviews were not allowed to be completed in closed session.
The names of the three interested parties were separately folded within separate notes and placed on a table. The names were selected one at a time to create the interview order. All interested persons were asked to leave the room while one was being interviewed as the four questions asked were the same for each candidate.
Anderson came to the table with "a lot of experience behind me. 30 years in the public sector dealing with most all of the Fire Departments in this county" at one time or another. Retired as a Captain Anderson felt he had a good grasp on personnel issues and labor issues but admitted that his knowledge of how a board works was limited, "I don't know how the county funds the FD but I certainly have no problem going to the county and telling them how to get the money here."
Anderson touched on the subject of ambulance service in the county and stated that Copperopolis "has been left out in left field by the county" on many issues, including public safety and coverage. He stated he wished to "protect the rate payers of the district and give them the best possible service."
He finished with a round of thank yous to the board and stated, "I have no personal agenda, I want this fire department to succeed, grow and prosper." Taking it further by saying that he felt this could happen "working with a group of people with the same goals."
After a motion made by Director Marks and a second by Director Andress the vote was unanimous to appoint Anderson to the CFPD Board. Chairman Maness thanked both Jim Perry and Eileen Taufer for their interest and asked them both to consider running in the next election, stating "you are both highly qualified for this position."
Anderson will be sworn in at the January 10, 2013 CFPD board meeting at 6:30 pm at Station #1 on Main Street.
*** Correction: 12-14-12 8:40 pm - line 7 states that each applicant was informed of public interviews, according to Chief Kovacs candidates were not informed via letter that interviews would be public, however the agenda for the meeting that was posted publicly did in fact state that interviews would be in open session.
Also line 7- strike the speculative words 'soon after applicant was informed that interviews would be public.' As noted above, applicants were not notified via letter, the information was public on the agenda. Note page #2 12-13-12 CFPD agenda item VII. New Business.
By,
Charity Maness