CVFSA Reaction: Conciliatory Leavell, crew await agency's fate

After Wednesday morning’s meeting at Libby City Hall with the Lincoln County Commissioners to decide the fate of Cabinet View Fire Department, many were left angry and it was clear that almost all in attendance wanted some kind of quick resolution.

For those on the CVFSA side of the room, that resolution would ideally have been some sort of mediation to resolve issues and keep Cabinet View Fire Service Area open for service. For CVFSA Fire Chief Dan Leavell, it left a sense of foreboding.

“I have a feeling, unfortunately, that the county commissioners will vote to dissolve. That’s sad that the human problem is stopping things,” Leavell said. “There are old hurts and wounds that people refuse to let go.”

Leavell harkened back to events in history like Apartheid and the infamous Hatfield and McCoy feud when describing how deep the divisions in the community went over the issue. 

   He referenced a more recent, and perhaps more relevant, event when he discussed in his given time to the assembly the divisions that existed between New York City fire stations before the 9/11 attacks and how it may have cost lives.

   “There’s got to be a stopping point,” Leavell said. “I recommend a steering committee empowered to be a sort of funnel to eliminate all the hate and bitterness and just have someone in charge from the state who is unbiased and independent.”