[26] August 16, 2013
www.federalwaymirror.com
Kent boy dies after dirt bike crash at Pacific Raceways Stancil was speeding down a straightaway during a practice run on the motocross track at Pacific Raceways on Aug. 7 when the 15-year-old Kent boy went over a small bump, lost control and fell, according to racetrack officials. A 19-year-old biker right behind Stancil had nowhere else to go, a track official said, and ran over the boy. On-site medical personnel performed CPR before Stancil was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where he suc-
By MARK KLAAS Kent Reporter
His name was Chase – fitting for a fun-loving, adventurous boy who enjoyed racing. Aboard a powerful, swift motorcycle, Chase Stancil was comfortable and competitive. He challenged many trails, honed his skills and eventually found his way to the local dirt track. He raced against kids his own age, even those older, more experienced behind the handlebars.
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cumbed to injuries. Pacific Raceways observed a moment of silence for Stancil last Friday prior to the motocross races. “Our entire Pacific Raceways’ staff and volunteers are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our racing community and our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” said Jason Fiorito, Pacific Raceways president, in a statement on the track’s website. “We remain committed to keeping this sport as safe as possible.” Also on the same night, a large turnout of family, friends and supporters assembled for a candlelight vigil on a football field at Kentridge High School. They came to shed tears, exchange hugs and share stories about a boy who left an impression on those he touched. Stancil would have been a sophomore at Kentridge. He was a good friend, student and an athlete who was looking forward to putting on the football pads to begin practice this month. His sudden loss stunned friends. “He was a really good guy, funny. He was always joking around with some-
one,” said Emmitt Medina, who rode dirt bikes with Stancil. “It’s so scary because it could have been me. ... You never think it’s going to happen to someone you’re close with.” Surrounded by friends, Chad Stancil stood numb, emotionally drained. He had difficulty describing his younger brother. “He was my best friend. We were so close,” said Chad Stancil, who will be a senior at Kentridge. “He died doing what he loved to do – riding his bike.” Ryan Simpson – Chase Stancil’s eighth-grade teacher at Northwood Middle School – remembers a courageous, thoughtful, enthusiastic boy who looked to do the right thing. When a handgun was found at the school, Chase Stancil reported it to the front office. “It was that foresight, the ability to do the right thing to really stand up for others and make sure the people were safe and protected,” Simpson said. His former student’s passing is the latest in a string of recent deaths of family members and a close friend for Simpson. Nonetheless, he spoke in front
[ FIRE from page 1] On Aug. 6, the board of commissioners voted 4-1 to retain law firm Patterson, Buchanan, Fobes and Leitch “to represent Brandon Church in his official capacity as a district firefighter in the pending Department of Health investigation.” SKFR will pay for the legal representation although no specific dollar amount has been revealed or allotted. Commissioner Mark Freitas was the dissenting vote. Freitas said firefighters should be personally responsible for defending their own emergency medical technician (EMT) licenses, which are required as a condition of employment, just like a driver’s license. “I don’t think the public should be paying for that,” Freitas told The Mirror. “I didn’t think it was a wise use of taxpayer dollars.” The investigation could take up to six months. Assistant Fire Chief Ed Plumlee, who is Church’s supervisor, said SKFR’s progressive discipline procedures have effectively improved Church’s behavior and therefore render the investigation unnecessary. As part of his discipline, Church was suspended for a shift without pay. He also completed the terms of his disciplinary probation, which included extensive study of SKFR’s bylaws and monthly evaluations. “I think it will validate the department’s actions,” Plumlee said of the
On Aug. 9, family and friends paid tribute to the late Chase Stancil with a vigil. Flowers and momentos are placed by one of Stancil’s motorcycles. MARk KLAAS, Kent Reporter of the crowd at the vigil, fighting back tears while describing a boy who wasn’t afraid to help others. “He was one of a couple of students whose acts really motivated me to want to continue teach-
investigation. “If the Department of Health thought it was a serious offense, they would have pulled (Church) off the job.” Ryan Herrera, president of IAFF Local 2024, said the union is looking at bringing in its labor attorney to work jointly with SKFR’s attorney. “We believe we dealt with the matter locally and appropriately,” Herrera said. “We took it very seriously.” Board chairman Bill Gates said this is the first Department of Health investigation of a firefighter during the fire chief ’s 37 years on the job. In addition to the discipline for misconduct in 2012, Brandon Church was reprimanded in 2009 for lying to a supervisor and cheating on an exam, and was reprimanded twice in 2010 for lying and insubordination. Gates said that even if Church were not the fire chief ’s son, he would still be employed despite past discipline. “Brandon Church did not receive special treatment in no way, shape or form,” Gates told The Mirror, regarding the most recent disciplinary action. “We believe everything was done right by the books and so forth. … The matter was handled swiftly and promptly.” SKFR has no specific policy related to nepotism, which is defined as favoritism on the job based on kinship. According to Gates and Plumlee, Chief Al Church has never supervised his son. “Al is so far up the chain of com-
ing,” Simpson said. Visible in Simpson’s classroom is a Dr. Seuss quote: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” “He would want us to look back on the good times,” Simpson said.
mand that Brandon is never going to end up working for Al,” Gates said. “Al will be long retired before Brandon even becomes assistant chief. … Al is simply not in the loop for discipline of Brandon.” Plumlee said there are two other father-son pairs of employees in SKFR. As per district policy, he said, the fathers have no direct supervision over their sons. According to the Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington, state law does not address nepotism, but a number of municipalities address rules for employment of “immediate family” in some degree. To read more, visit http://www.mrsc. org/subjects/personnel/nepot.aspx.
FYI: Candidates For the 2013 election, there is one contested race for South King Fire and Rescue board of commissioners. Longtime incumbent Bill Gates will seek re-election to position 1 against challenger Jerry Galland, a resident of unincorporated King County and an outspoken critic of the fire district. Gates was first elected in 2001 and re-elected in 2007. He has served as board chairman the past four years. In 2011, Galland ran for the board of commissioners against James Fossos and lost. Galland regularly attends board meetings. He started a blog (southkingfire.net) to criticize fire district procedures and finances. The general election is Nov. 5.