At the June 20 special meeting of the County Service Area 38 Advisory Committee meeting, Idyllwild Fire Commissioner Dr. Charles “Chip” Schelly addressed the committee and the community lamenting the lack of agreement, comity and teamwork between Pine Cove and the Idyllwild Fire Department.
He suggested investigating ways in which Pine Cove residents might have some formal recognition on the IFPD commission.
The next CSA 38 Advisory Committee meeting is 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 11. Schelly plans to attend and speak further on this subject.
“I want to ask the committee or audience about how to strengthen the relationship that already exists between Pine Cove and Idyllwild,” Schelly said. “I’d like to find a way where some of the community can work together toward solutions.”
The recent debates over the extension of the contract for ambulance service to Pine Cove from Idyllwild Fire was Schelly’s example of the communities being at odds rather than unified. Without changes, he foresees a perpetual situation every three or four years where Pine Cove and Idyllwild Fire are squabbling and the differences intensify.
In his view, placing a Pine Cove resident on the fire commission might help ameliorate the situation. Schelly didn’t explain how that step might be achieved, but encouraged its discussion among the participants.
“There must be ways to work it,” he acknowledged.
I actually think this is a good idea, though unless Pine Cove brings in IFPD for primary response instead of CalFire, I don't think it's possible because of residency requirements. What is possible is to have the CSA 38 AdCom designate one or two people to fill one or two non-voting spots on the commission…
Regardless, I believe it important to understand that all of what has been occuring has never been between Pine Cove and the Department, but rather the elected fire commision, whom the department is compelled to abide by regardless of rationality, qualifications, or long-term vision.
[…] Commissoner Schelly’s invitation to CSA 38 admin | July 12, 2012 | 11836no commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fidyllwildtowncrier.com%2F2012%2F07%2F12%2Fcommissoner-schelly%25e2%2580%2599s-invitation-csa-38%2FCommissoner+Schelly%E2%80%99s+invitation+to+CSA+382012-07-12+14%3A49%3A28adminhttp%3A%2F%2Fidyllwildtowncrier.com%2F%3Fp%3D11836 Share/Bookmark Editor’s note: Idyllwild Fire Protection District Commissioner Dr. Charles “Chip” Schelly submitted this letter to the Town Crier last week. On Friday, July 6, he discussed his idea in more detail. Click here to see accompanying story. […]