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Another Idyllwild special-district director has stepped down from office because of health reasons.
Jeannine Charles-Stigall, commissioner of the Idyllwild Fire Protection District since 2009, submitted her resignation at the March 27 meeting, effective at the end of the meeting.
Charles-Stigall was elected to the commission in August 2009. She and Dr. Charles “Chip” Schelly and Ben Killingsworth easily defeated three incumbent commissioners. She was re-elected in 2013.
At the time, the community was concerned about the district’s finances, especially the failure to do audits for five years.
Speaking at last week’s meeting, Charles-Stigall expressed both her sadness in leaving the board, which her colleagues clearly shared, as well as her pride in the commission’s accomplishments during the her eight-year tenure.
“We’ve gone through a lot and come so far since 2009,” she said.
One of her proudest efforts was the appointment of Chief Patrick Reitz in 2012. “I’m grateful for the changes he made,” she said. Then speaking directly to him, she added, “Your mind is always going. The district will flourish under your leadership.”
Her colleagues and the chief all praised her contributions to the commission. She is currently serving as secretary and served twice as president. She was first elected president in January 2010, but resigned as president in November yet remained on the commission. She was again chosen president in November 2011 and served through December 2013.
The commission plans to appoint a replacement for Charles-Stigall at its April 27 meeting.
Reitz stated that interested applicants should submit both letters of interest and résumés by Wednesday, April 18. Applicants must be residents and registered to vote in the IFPD.
The commission will review the applicants at its April meeting and those applying should plan to be present to be interviewed and answer questions from the commissioners.
Charles-Stigall’s term ends Dec. 7. Whomever the commission appoints must stand for election in the November election for a full, four-year term.
