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NEWS | Herbicide use on Maury raises concerns. [5] SPORTS | Wrestlers compete nationally. [14] BUSINESS | Shared office space [12] opens downtown.
SUMMER SOUNDS Acclaimed musician plays a benefit concert. Page 10
BEACHCOMBER VASHON-MAURY ISLAND
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013
Vol. 58, No. 32
www.vashonbeachcomber.com
75¢
Fire union votes no confidence in assistant chief Islanders invited Investigator hired after vote presented to board By NATALIE JOHNSON Staff Writer
Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) has launched an investigation into allegations against Assistant Chief George Brown after the local firefighters’ union issued a vote of no confidence in him. In a letter to VIFR’s board signed by Steve Palmer, the president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 4189, and Leslie Pohl, the union’s vice president, the two wrote that Brown’s “actions, words and behavior had fostered a work environment which continues to be contentious, demoralizing, demeaning and displays a notable lack of leadership.” VIFR Chief Hank Lipe declined to be interviewed about the situation, calling
the matter a personnel issue, but emailed a statement to The Beachcomber saying he didn’t know the “substance of any allegations against the Assistant Chief.” “To date my assessment of George Brown’s performance and conduct, based on what I know, has been very good,” he said. Brown, in an interview, said he was shocked at the vote of no confidence and didn’t agree with the union’s assessment of his performance. The assistant chief of operations said he was hired to make changes within the department, an agency with both paid and volunteer responders, and “change is difficult for everyone involved,” he said. “It hurt. Obviously on a personal level, it hurt,” Brown said. “Personnel matters should be handled in-house. I’m disappointed they brought it to this stage.” Lipe said he had retained an outside
investigator to find out the “factual allegations, to look into them, and to report back to me regarding their merit.” “After I get the investigator’s report, I will decide what action to take,” he said. Meanwhile, the VIFR board was scheduled to discuss the matter in an executive session closed to the public on Tuesday evening after press deadline. Brown, 50, was hired in 2009 after a long career as a captain at the fire department in Pullman, Wash., and four years as Deputy Chief of Training at the department in Clarkston, Wash. While some board members declined to comment in detail on union’s recent vote, calling it a personnel issue, three board members did say they have been pleased with Brown’s performance and they were happy that he has implemented changes that the board requested. SEE VIFR, 18
TRAMP HARBOR DOCK MUST CHANGE WITH THE TIMES
Susan Riemer/Staff Photo
The Tramp Harbor dock has been a popular spot for islanders since it was built as a ferry dock in 1916. To meet current environmental codes, however, officials say the pier must eventually undergo changes such as the removal of creosote pilings and installation of grating to allow more light to filter through to the habitat below. The dock’s current lease arrangement expires this month and involves state and county agencies and the Vashon Park District. Members of all agencies have begun talks to extend the lease, according to park district manager Elaine Ott. Stephanie Lorenz with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) indicated all the parties involved expect the dock to be around for years to come, though details still need to be sorted out about work that needs to be done and sources of funding for it. “DNR understands the historical value that Tramp Harbor holds for the island and the value Tramp Harbor continues to provide the community as a public use facility,” Lorenz said in a recent email. Above, the dock was a busy place on Sunday afternoon, when several people were fishing for salmon and others enjoyed a walk in the sun above the water.
to comment on marijuana ordinance
Proposed zoning laws would set limits on new marijuana businesses By SUSAN RIEMER Staff Writer
Several public officials will be on Vashon next week, seeking input on proposed zoning regulations that will govern marijuanarelated businesses that arise in the wake of Initiative 502. Last fall, Washington voters passed I-502, which legalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Among the issues government officials are considering as implementation of the law draws near is where the county will allow new businesses to be located. Staff at the King County Department of Permitting and Review (DPER) have drafted a proposed ordinance concerning their locations in unincorporated areas of the county, including Vashon, and are seeking input on the measure in a series of public meetings, the last of them to be held Tuesday on Vashon. “We want a broad range of input on the legislation,” said John Starbard, the director of DPER. Starbard said he expects some of those who attend meetings will speak up in favor of the stiffest controls possible and others will likely express views that are the polar opposite. “You find out where the extremes are and work toward an agreeable solution,” he said. The meeting is in many ways historic, and yet it is also routine, he added. “It is not unlike any piece of land use legislation,” he said. “How do we accommodate the (various) needs and concerns?” DPER’s proposed ordinance provides a framework for growing, processing and selling marijuana and includes the following conditions, according to a recent press release. • Indoor growing and processing of marijuana would be allowed in areas zoned as Community Business, Regional Business and Industrial. • Outdoor growing would be limited to the Agriculture and Rural Area zones. • Retail sales would be allowed in the SEE MARIJUANA, 11