Commissioners reject fire service area

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday afternoon against reforming the Cabinet View Fire Service Area, ending months of debate and discussion.

The Cabinet View Fire Service Area was dissolved by an act of the commissioners June 13, 2012, amid controversy surrounding the department’s management and their willingness and ability to cooperate with other local emergency response agencies. Then-commissioner Tony Berget said at the time of dissolution the fire service area administration was problematic because administration refused to follow Montana law, they failed to cooperate with other emergency service providers and they refused to follow lawful instructions from the county.

“Commissioner Berget talked about the legal aspects of the disregard for the law by the fire service area and the requests by the commissioners in the past that have been ignored,” former county clerk and recorder Tammy Lauer recorded in the June 13, 2012, minutes of the commissioners’ meeting. “He had a paper that cited three reasons for consideration of dissolution. The reasons are: 1) refusal to comply with Montana law; 2) failure to work cooperatively with other emergency service providers and 3) refusal to comply with Lincoln County’s lawful requests.”

The commissioners, Berget, Ron Downey and Marianne Roose, voted unanimously to dissolve the fire service area at the meeting.

According to data provided by deputy county clerk Leigh Riggleman, 42 residents of the proposed service area signed a petition to recreate the district. Eighteen residents signed letters of support for the creation of the fire service area.

In opposition to the proposal, 73 letters were submitted to the commissioners bearing 107 signatures. Four of those signing the petition reportedly also submitted letters to the commissioners opposing the fire service area. 

In the end, it was the weight of public opinion that carried the day for the commissioners.

“The citizens, in my mind, have spoken out there and that is what’s going to carry my vote today,” said Commissioner Mark Peck.

The other commissioners agreed and voted unanimously against the motion to create the fire service area.