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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (June 25, 2003)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, June 25, 2003 Page 12 RIVER REVELRY - (Far left) ‘Great Cats of the World’ with Cyndi Gamble and ‘Kawaii’ the caracal was one presentation at the river festival. She plans to open a cat park in CJ next spring. (Photo left) A display of Chateau Elan fused glass items was by Daniel Chambers and Ryann Blair, who live in Selma. Hathkapsuta co- sponsors included Ever- green Federal, ‘Bebe’s ART for everyone’, Coffee Heaven, Illinois River Val- ley Arts Council, I.V. Fam- ily Coalition, National Park Service, Oregon Caves Chevron, Oregon Parks and Pizza Pit. Resignation of chief OK’d by board (Continued from page 1) also is immediate past president of Rogue Valley Fire Chiefs Association, and had been serving as county fire chief for the state of Oregon in case of a major conflagration. Be- cause of his work in a liai- son position during the major Biscuit Fire last year, he was scheduled to be a principal speaker dur- ing the annual meeting of state fire chiefs in Red- mond, but he canceled when placed on adminis- trative leave. Immediately prior to the start of the special meeting last week, volun- teer Capt. Bill Hickerson placed rocks with notes before each board member. The notes read, in essence, that everyone has a skele- ton in their closet and that anyone with a perfect re- cord should “cast the first stone.” No stones were cast. The board’s approval of the two motions came after an executive (closed to the public) session of approximately 23 minutes. It was recessed to open session about 7:55 p.m. at which time Martial He- nault, the district’s legal counsel from Medford, went outside and got Kirchner. The attorney and Kirchner went into the county building kitchen for negotiation. They emerged at around 8:03, and the board went back into closed session lasting some two minutes. Back in open session, the two motions were made and approved in short order. Haviland, board president, immedi- ately adjourned the meet- ing, and the directors, with the exception of Jones, left the scene. Kirchner, sitting at the front of the meeting room adjacent to Henault, was offered a handshake, which he accepted. Out- side, Jones, a veteran re- tired firefighter and Kirchner supporter, spoke with a number of those who attended the meeting. Some in the primarily pro-Kirchner audience called for “a new board.” During the second open session, Frick remarked to Downing, “We need to move ahead. I want to get this over. The unfortunate part is that the public is going to blame us.” Kirchner and his wife, Julia, a volunteer fire- fighter and president of the volunteers’ association, said after the meeting that they have no plans to leave the valley. Both indicated that any changes to the board should come be- cause of public action. And after the meeting, both they and Jones stated that the situation “is unfor- tunate” for the valley com- munity in terms of the cost, loss of public confi- dence, and effect on the volunteers. Kirchner said that he offered his resignation “to protect my interests” as otherwise it’s unlikely that he would be able to gain employment in the fire service elsewhere. In addi- tion, he said it’s his belief that three of the board members would have fired him in any case. He indi- cated that because the original 10 issues did not represent “a smoking gun” and that the 11th issue was used to pursue his termina- tion. “They got backed into a corner,” said Kirchner. Jones on Sunday, June 22 said it’s his belief that, “He (Kirchner) got tired of all this bs that’s been going around. So to keep his re- is open Saturdays: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hours: Mondays - Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information phone (800) 922-1025 cord clear, and to be able to get another job in the fire service,” he resigned. And “a couple mem- bers of his staff (not in- cluding Jeff Gavlik),” said Jones, “have been trying to (cause trouble for Kirchner) for unknown reasons. It’s turned into a bucket of worms,” said Jones. “Now we’ll have to incur the expenses of ad- vertising and recruiting for a new chief.” “I have nothing to hide,” said Kirchner on Sunday. “The 11th issue or ‘charge’ was pulled out of my personal past, and it was presented to look as though I had used my posi- tion for personal financial gain. I still intend to pay back the loan, but I can’t reaffirm the loan at this time under the bankruptcy laws.” Kirchner said that there is now an opportu- nity for the public to make changes, if it so desires and if it feels that the board has not done its job in the best interests of the public. Current Specials: 18 Holes with cart -$45 for Two 9 Holes with cart - $25 for Two All day Tuesday & Thursday and Sunday afternoon Phone for available tee times - 592-3151