District No. 43 fire commissioners voted in a 2-1 split to end former Maple Valley Fire Chief Tim Lemon’s contract at the Aug. 6 board meeting and since that time the commissioners have faced an array of questions and controversy.

Through a public records request The Reporter newspaper has obtained Commissioner Brian McGee’s hand-written notes he used in the Aug. 6 executive session that outlined his reasons for ending Lemon’s contract.

The newspaper also received the Separation and Release Agreement between Lemon and Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety.

McGee and Commissioner Mike Scott voted to end the District’s contract with Lemon and Commissioner Jeff Granlund dissented.

Following the Aug. 6 meeting, Granlund resigned his seat on the Board because he felt the reasons for ending the contract “were not justified.”

The remaining commissioners, Brian McGee and Mike Scott, appointed Bill VanRuff to fill Granlund’s seat until the end of the term in December.

At the three meetings following the decision, Scott and McGee heard public comments that included allegations the firefighters’ union was behind the decision, the two commissioners violated the open public meetings act by discussing the decision outside of an open meeting and some speakers asked for their resignation.

Following the Aug. 20 meeting, McGee and Scott agreed to sit down for an interview.

Both commissioners strongly denied the allegation their decision was prompted by the union.

“There was no union influence in this decision,” Scott said. “I’ve known Tim for 20 years and we’ve had a great relationship. It was not easy, but we worked it out. It was time. I still view Tim as a friend. It was not easy.”

McGee also stated the union did not ask for Lemon’s contract to be ended.

He stated Aug. 20 he is involved with many fire service organizations including the firefighters’ union and fire chief’s association.

“I have a lot of affiliations and all give me experience to make the best decisions as I represent the citizens,” McGee said. “I take it very seriously…. I’m proud to be a firefighter. This is my town, too,” McGee said.

According to McGee, Lemon’s contract was up for review.

“I made a request (through e-mail) for an attorney to review the contract,” McGee said.

According to McGee, all contacts with other commissioners were made through e-mail that went through the department so there would be no violation of the open public meetings act.

McGee’s hand-written document from the executive session indicates the issues that led to the decision had been building over a long period of time.

The two-sided document stated, “I wish to propose that we not consider renewing the contract with Tim Lemon based on lack of performance.”

The document stated:

• “Insistence on not having a PE (personnel evaluations) conducted. Even to the extent the whole department could halt PE’s because they don’t do a very good job doing them. Policy states all employees of District will have annual PE.”

• “Long Range Plan. I asked that typos be corrected and org (organization) chart be updated. Executive session all 3 comm (commissioners) gave direction for station location info (information). None of these changes were made.”

• “Not wanting to have commissioners see the Unions ideas for budget cuts.”

• “Indication to meet district policy he would need to be paid 3 % more to reach average wage.”

• “Annual Report filled with typos and poorly written.”

• “Being locked out of District email.”

McGee stated by phone “a lot of people have made conclusions about me. There is no question (to me) I did the right thing. It is the citizens I am supposed to protect.”

Of particular concern to McGee is the 2010 budget.

“I want to be as prepared as possible if we have to give layoff notices,” McGee said. “We can’t completely decimate our reserves. We can’t take everything to zero then lay people off.”

In the separation agreement, the District agreed to pay Lemon $40,723.11 for “accrued and unused leave, totaling 606.37 hours” and a “lump sum payment of $500, representing cash-in-lieu of continued life insurance benefits (collectively “Accrued Benefits”).”

The District also agreed to pay Lemon eight months of severance pay totaling $101,459.76.

Lemon has been contacted my e-mail for his comments.

He had been with the department for nearly 30 years.

Lemon has been offered the Chelan County Fire District No. 7 fire chief position.