SOUNDER THE ISLANDS’
Weddings in the San Juans
Serving Orcas, Lopez and San Juan County
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2012 VOL. 45, NO. 7 75¢
Special section – pg. 11-18
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O’Brien named new fire chief by COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONG Editor/Associate Publisher
As a boy, Kevin O’Brien had dreams about hopping on a firetruck to fight blazes. As an adult, he’s been realizing that passion for more than 20 years. Now the Orcas native is fulfilling another aspiration: leading his community’s fire department. “I feel awesome. I can’t tell you how excited I am to be offered the opportunity to do this,” he said. “I think the fire department is incredible. It’s a dream come true, honestly.” The Orcas Fire Board of Commissioners announced their appointment of Kevin O’Brien at a special public meeting on Feb. 9. He signed an official contract on Feb. 14. The search committee consisted of representatives from the community, Orcas Island Fire and Rescue volunteers, career staff and commissioner Barbara Bedell. The position was advertised in regional professional publications. The applicants were evaluated based on leadership abilities, professional skills, community involvement, and an understanding of the unique qualities of living in a community like Orcas Island. “The candidates were screened to three finalists and evaluated by the Board of Fire Commissioners, where the most qualified candidate was selected,” Bedell said at the meeting. “Through every stage of the process, Kevin rose to
the top by a significant margin and was offered the position, which he accepted with enthusiasm.” O’Brien is taking over from fire chief Mike Harris on March 1. Harris has been the chief since 2008. “I am here to lead and be part of a team,” O’Brien said. “I want people to know that I am also here to learn. I am your fire chief, but we are also a team, working together, and I am listening to you and learning from you.” Many in the community and within the department voiced support for O’Brien. Around 20 islanders attended a fire board meeting on Nov. 8 to express their recommendation of him. O’Brien has more than 20 years of emergency medical and fire/rescue experience with the Valley Regional Fire Authority in Auburn, Wash., where he rose to the rank of Battalion Chief. He graduated from Orcas Island High School in 1984 and earned a B.S in Political Science from the University of Washington. In 2006, O’Brien returned to Orcas when he and his wife Nancy moved their three boys Keenan (15), Daniel (13), and Colin (8) to raise them in a rural island environment. Nancy is a Orcas Island Elementary School counselor and teacher. Kevin has volunteered in civic activities such as the establishment of the Orcas Island Parks and Recreation District, is Vice President of the Orcas Island Booster Club and regularly volunteers at the public school.
Turning in his badge
Council reinstates funding to sheriff and prosecuting attorney Editor/Associate Publisher
Colleen Smith Armstrong/Staff Photo
“Having commuted to Auburn for the last five and a half years has been very challenging,” Kevin said. “But I am coming from a great job. I’ve developed some very familial relationships. I have been fortunate to work with awesome people. But I am coming into a situation where the people are awesome too.” Kevin was first introduced to Orcas Fire and Rescue in 1988 when his mom’s house burned down in Olga. “They were able to salvage all sorts of antiques,” he said. “They were incredible. They went above and beyond the
SEE CHIEF, PAGE 6
Law and justice intact –for now by COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONG
Sergeant Steve Vierthaler is retiring from the police force after serving 35 years on Orcas Island. To read about his journey, see the story on pages 19-20.
contributed photo
Fire commissioner Barbara Bedell, new chief Kevin O’Brien and his wife Nancy after the announcement on Feb. 9.
The County Council has back-peddled on cuts it made in December to law and justice despite voicing serious financial concern. On Tuesday, the county council voted 6-0 to reinstate $60,000 to the sheriff ’s department and $21,000 to the prosecuting attorney’s office after a tentative budget agreement reduced funding to those departments. Council chairwoman Patty Miller said the move was “delaying the inevitable,” as the county faces major financial troubles in the next six years. “I am voting for this, but with the expectation that your starting point for 2013 is the original budget,” Miller told Sheriff Rob Nou and Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord, who both spoke to the council prior to its decision.
Council’s discussion
The council originally approved taking out $30,600 from the prosecutor’s budget. That number was later reduced to $26,206. The sheriff was looking at a $74,939 cut. County administrator Pete Rose outlined the council’s options for finding savings in other areas: employees’ benefits plans (around $20,000) and using an extra $22,000 currently in the cash balance, or reserves. Councilman Howie Rosenfeld was adamant that both departments remain intact for as long as possible. “We can afford to keep us relatively whole for the rest of year,” Rosenfeld said. “At this point, we have a choice. And I want to fund these positions … In the priority of things, this rises to the top. If we have to take this from the cash balance, so be it.” Nou told the council about recent savings in his department and said he could continue to look for reductions. Despite boat repairs and a lengthy homicide investigation on San Juan Island, the department came in $44,500 under budget. A deputy on Orcas
quit last November and the position has yet to be filled, which is a savings around $6,000 a month. He hopes to fill that vacancy by April 1.
SEE JUSTICE, PAGE 6
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