OFPD Board salutes outgoing trustees

OFPD Board salutes outgoing trustees

(Photos attached courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District and Battalion Chief Dan Smith)

The Orland Fire Protection District Board saluted outgoing board members Marty McGill and Glenn Michalek for their service to the fire district during their six year terms at the district's regular meeting Tuesday April 23, 2013.

McGill and Michalek were unsuccessful in their re-election bids, and will be succeeded by OFPD Commissioner John Brudnak and Community Activist Jayne Schirmacher who won the April 9 elections by wide margins.

OFPD Board President Jim Hickey opened the meeting thanking both public officials for their service.

"Public service is not something people should take lightly. It's not about politics, even though politics oftentimes embraces, and sometimes overwhelms public service; but regular citizens make a commitment to serve the public and they do their best. They take the criticism and they take the praise," Hickey said.

"In that context, I would like to offer my best wishes to outgoing trustees Marty McGill and Glenn Michalek for the six years they have each given to public service on this board of the Orland Fire Protection District. We didn't always see eye-to-eye, and we often had spirited disagreements. But in the end, we always did what was best for our district."

Hickey noted that the new board leadership that formed in 2011 with the election of Trustees Chris Evoy and Blair Rhode, committed themselves to tightening the board's spending while maintaining the district's high quality emergency services.

"We have worked hard to not only stop the excessive spending, but also find ways to cut back spending, to respect the concerns of taxpayers and reduce our budget significantly. It's not easy. But we have done that," Hickey reminded the audience.

McGill and Michalek thanked the board members and the public.

"I want to thank everyone. I have been a firefighter and it has been close to my heart," Michalek said. "I hope the best for the board. Mr. President, trustees and Chief Brucki, it has been an honor."

The new board members, Brudnak and Schirmacher will be sworn in to six year terms at a special meeting of the Orland Fire Protection District on Tuesday May 7 at 5 pm.

Brudnak, who attended Tuesday's meeting, said he is looking forward to working with the board, noting that as a Commissioner, he helped oversee policy revisions, hiring and firing and several high profile disciplinary cases.

"I'm looking forward to continuing my commitment to the people of the Orland Fire Protection District now as a Trustee and dedicating myself to the mandate given to me by the voters and citizens of the District to continue to maintain a responsible review of budget spending while ensuring the the highest level of emergency fire service to our residents," Brudnak said.

McGill and Michalek received certificates and plaques noting their years of service. The board recessed to enjoy refreshments before reconvening for the regular board session agenda.

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