Former CVFSA chief apologizes to Libby, Lincoln County for difficulties

Letter to the Editor,

During the past six years I have managed the Cabinet View Fire Department toward a direction that, I believed, was following national standards and the needs and desires of the FSA’s immediate community, but which was contrary to what the emergency management authorities in this county wanted.  

Regardless of best intentions, this has brought about many of the problems we have experienced recently.  

I take full and complete responsibility for my management that has caused this trouble to our community and regret the decisions I made leading us to this sad end.  

I also apologize for the hurt and bad feelings I caused to others who were just trying to present another viewpoint – especially to Bill Watt and Jim Luscher.  I hope they and others I have offended can forgive my behavior.  

Both Cabinet View Boards and all the good firefighters and Auxiliary are innocent of doing anything wrong and were only following my leadership and management directives.  I take full and complete responsibility for any misunderstandings generated and for any mistakes made.   

These are all good, honest, hardworking volunteers and only intended to do the best possible service for their community.   These are some of the best people I have worked with.  I am very grateful for having known and worked with them and for all I have learned from them.  

They are truly the salt of the earth and I hope and pray the authorities of emergency management in this county will allow them to continue to serve their community and not blame them for my mistakes. 

They have worked hard to learn, train, and equip themselves to serve in the best manner possible.  They are — and can be — a great resource for this community.

I apologize for any negative influence I had regarding the lack of a good working relationship between Cabinet View, Libby Fire, and Libby Ambulance. 

 I take full and complete responsibility for that.  I pray that the emergency management authorities of Libby and Lincoln County will allow the good folks of Cabinet View an opportunity to get to work with the good folks from Libby Fire and Libby Ambulance – and that they may all get to know each other and build relationships that will benefit our community. 

 I pray that everyone can get beyond the discord and now come together for the benefit of all.

My apologies to all for any harm I may have caused.  Please let the healing begin and grow.

— Dan Leavell

Former Cabinet View FSA chief