Bache letter was right on, only the roles reversed, LVA member says
Letter to the Editor,
Rhonda Bache’s Letter to the Editor on June 1 exactly described the situation that exists between CVFD, (Cabinet View Fire Department, and LVA, (Libby Volunteer Ambulance).
Ironically, she precisely described the actions of the Cabinet View Fire Department Auxiliary and the Lincoln County Fire and Advocacy Group. She is right — the groups have been resorting to half-truths, false accusations, and misinformation. Apparently they have nothing of substance to add to the debate as shown by their “character assassinations.”
For example, Lincoln County Fire and EMT Advocacy Group and Cabinet View Fire Department Auxiliary had a “Neighborhood Pancake Breakfast” on Aug. 27. A packet of information was passed out at that breakfast. The packet was full of misinformation, half-truths, innuendos and false accusations.
The author of the packet acknowledged the misinformation, etc., at the information meeting with the County Commissioners on Aug. 30 at the Ponderosa Room.
Rhonda states that LVA “refuses” to sign or discuss a mutual-aid agreement with Cabinet View Fire Department. The facts are that CVFD’s Board did not contact LVA’s Board before CVFD filed its recent lawsuit against LVA.
The only person to approach anyone at LVA before the lawsuit was filed, was Rhonda Bache.
Rhonda demanded LVA’s business manager sign a mutual-aid agreement that had not been negotiated with LVA’s Board and that the business manager did not even have the authority to sign.
This demand was timed in such a way that the LVA board could not meet and potentially negotiate an agreement before the County Commissioners information meeting on Aug. 30. Yet somehow Rhonda and others associated with CVFD found it “truthful” to protest that LVA “refuses” to sign that agreement CVFD did not give LVA any opportunity to “discuss” the agreement.
They simply demanded it be signed without discussion or negotiation-then blamed LVA for “refusing” to sign or discuss the agreement.
Refusing? Really? No group I know would sign any agreement without first reviewing it and then working out areas of concern with the other party. This takes time, and yes, there are significant concerns.
Since then the only CVFD official to contact LVA was CVFD Board member Tommy Cook.
He contacted LVA after Cabinet View Fire Department filed its lawsuit against LVA, the County and other agencies.
At that point it was in the hands of the attorneys and LVA representatives were advised not to talk with members of CVFD.
When told that LVA representatives were advised not to talk with him, Mr. Cook responded “the lawsuit is only business, we can talk.”
— Richard Wernham
LVA Board Member
Libby