Tensions rise at Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue bond meeting

LAKE WENATCHEE — A week before the Aug. 5 special election, Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue (LWFR) hosted an informational meeting about its request for up to $15 million in capital improvement bonds.

“This is something to help you make a decision you want to make for your community. Short version is, if you are really, really against this, I'm probably not going to change your mind. If you're really, really for this, I'm probably not going to change your mind,” said Fire Chief David Walker at the start of the presentation.

Opposing resident David Stoller said he attended the meeting under the impression that there would be a dialogue between the fire district and residents, since the meeting advertisement on the community blog Lake Wenatchee Info wrote, “bring your questions and comments.” However, Walker told the audience that comments would not be taken, saying this format was not listed on LWFR’s original advertisement.

“I thought it was a little bit late for [the meeting]…but I thought it was better than nothing,” said Stoller. “But I was quite disappointed when they changed the format to no questions or comments during the formal meeting.”

The presentation walked through the district’s needs, budget, and plans for the bond proceeds, which involves the construction of a 13,300 square-foot station behind the current Station 93, a 6,200 square-foot Emergency Operations Center (EOC)/Training Center, and improvements to existing facilities, much of which was laid out in previous Echo reporting.

Although time was not reserved for public input, comments were still expressed in frustration over the district’s messaging as well as insufficient commissioner meeting information. One attendee called the lack of information on the meeting minutes “sketchy.” At the end of the presentation, Stoller stood to face attendees, saying that information came too little, too late.

“The supervisors, the fire commissioners, have really been negligent in communicating with us. As you saw, this process started in 2017. This is not a new mission. This is not a new process. And I know I attended meetings in 2021, 2022, 2023. I don't know if any of you have gotten in writing from the commissioners about this process. I haven’t,” Stoller said during the meeting.

Stoller's comments drew audible disapproval from some attendees, who began new conversations or walked out during his remarks. Meanwhile, comments between Stoller and LWFR leadership escalated.

“Did you just call me negligent in front of everybody? I think I just sat with you in your living room and answered your questions,” Walker responded.

Commissioner Mike Payne made unrelated accusations, telling Stoller he made misleading comments at a physician's organization. Stoller told Ward Media that the comment was not true, as he has never associated with the organization. In a seemingly civil one-on-one discussion immediately following, Stoller said he requested more timely meeting agendas and informational minutes moving forward.

“When you don’t communicate with us, the community, the voters…It makes us feel like you have a secret you’re keeping from us,” said Stoller, in reference to his conversation.

The fire district and its supporters maintain that information has been readily available among the auxiliary, at commissioner meetings, by request, and during the farmers markets. Additionally, Fire Commissioner Mick Lamar told Ward Media that the bond communication was timed to not run into voter fatigue. Those opposed reference a pattern of delayed public information leading up to the election.

According to meeting documents, commissioners began discussing the potential bond in January of this year, but subsequent agendas and minutes either omitted further mention of the bond, or were missing from the website entirely until June 30, two months after the measure was submitted to the county.

Additionally, the district said it was unable to find a con committee to write an argument against the measure for the voter’s pamphlet. However, it posted an advertisement for a pro and con committee on its website less than 24 hours before the April 23 meeting, where the committee was appointed. Site plans for the main station and other key documents were published online shortly after a discussion with Ward Media on July 8, with EOC/Training Center site plans still excluded.

Both Fire Commissioner Mick Lamar and Payne admitted that communication could be improved. Yet, Lamar added that opponents were still not taking opportunities to engage.

“We just had a commissioner meeting last Thursday, and I would have thought for sure they would have come in. Every meeting starts with an open public comment period,” said Lamar.

Updates and registration can be completed in-person from July 29 until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Aug. 5. The proposition will need a supermajority, or 60 percent approval, to pass.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media