To the editor:
I am a local, ordained pastor, a Waldport city council member, and chaplain for the three fire districts in south Lincoln County, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police and Pacific West Ambulance.
I am writing this letter to the community wearing none of those hats, only as a citizen of Waldport. I speak only for myself.
It is with a heavy heart I am writing to provide support and endorsement for the efforts currently underway to recall Todd Holt and Kathryn Menefee from the Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue District board.
This is not what I wanted. I, like many of you, looked forward to a new board’s energy and enthusiasm helping a new chief build a stronger Central Coast Fire District.
But it was not what occurred. Instead, personal agendas, vindictive and aggressive oversight, and a total ignorance of how to build a strong team has taken place, eroding the good work Chief Jamie Mason has done, and creating a hostile environment and a dysfunctional board.
We have seen these board members falsely call the police on their own district staff. We have seen these board members make light of the tragic death of a local medical practitioner. We have seen and heard these board members dismiss the professionals working hard to build the district, instead focusing on issues to distract and detract from the team’s growth. They have taken credit for things done before they got here and disrupted the planning process to better serve the entire area. They have undercut both the authority and trust of the fire chief, and they encourage to slander of our department by our partner districts.
Staff are leaving. Volunteers are leaving. These board members focus on the wrongs of the past, instead of building the present.
I am retired. I have served with South Lincoln Resources for many years. I volunteer for my city, my church, my district, and our first responders. It is with great sadness that instead of dedicating more time to that work, I am seeking signatures to have these folks removed from creating further damage.
I speak for myself, but I hope you understand, I am standing for and with all of you. I hope you will join me.
- Rick Booth, Waldport
Thank you, Rick Booth, for showing us what integrity, leadership and selfless community service look like.
My husband and I are new to the Waldport community. We are retired medical specialists and both professors. Both of us have witnessed the benefits of excellent leadership as well as bitter, unwarranted and damaging leadership. Positive mentorship is critical for constructive growth. From what has been described by Rick Booth, I’m sadly disappointed to hear of what is going on with the leadership in our community.
Thank you for your honest account of the situation