New fire commissioners take office

PONDERAY — Two new Northside Fire commissioners were sworn in Wednesday, replacing two-thirds of the board.

"Northside Fire District has not experienced a two-thirds majority of the board being replaced in quite a long period of time," said newly elected Vernon Roof. "I would also like to acknowledge the fact that I am taking over responsibility of a paid/volunteer fire district, which has excellent apparatus equipment, devoted and capable personnel and is financially sound."

Roof and Danny Knott were elected as the newest Northside commissioners during the November election. Roof led the race over outgoing sub-district 3 Commissioner Lewis Rich, 317-129; and Danny Knott led over his opponent, Nancy Piatt, 251-164. Knott replaces sub-district 2 Commissioner Leo Addison, though Addison said he will continue on as an alternate. Commissioner Ray Yaw will continue on as sub-district 1 commissioner and board chairman. For their first order of business, the trio appointed Knott as secretary and Roof as treasurer.

"I am looking forward to serving the citizens of the Northside Fire District while at the same time forming strong bonds with my fellow commissioners and command staff," Roof said.

Roof said he will be attending random training sessions and working structure fires. As an EMT, he said, he can assist with EMS calls, but only if the extra assistance is needed. Roof said there is no way he can "truly" appreciate, observe and be responsible for an organization if he is "only there occasionally, signing checks and attending monthly commissioners meetings." He said he is honored, humbled and ready to go to work.

Knott, who worked for the district from November 2013 to March 2017, spoke after Roof's nearly 10-minute speech. He noted that the first lesson is to "never follow Mr. Roof" when it comes to speaking.

"I did not prepare like Vern did, nor would it have been so eloquent, but I do echo many of the things (he) said," Knott said. "I'm very excited to be in this position. I am very excited to work with the group again ... I'm honored and humbled as well, and I think this is going to be fantastic."

Rich, who attended the meeting by speakerphone as he was out of town, saved his comments until the end of the meeting. Rich said he has had a good run in his 20 years with the district, 12 of them as a commissioner. While the other Northside officials welcomed Knott and Roof to the board, Rich said he is "cautiously optimistic" regarding Roof. He also said he does not have confidence in Knott as a commissioner, alluding to Knott's history within the department as well as information regarding Knott in the Idaho State Repository.

"We have, in my opinion, the smoothest running operation that we've ever had within my history of the department." Rich said. "I've never witnessed a better situation as far as the support and camaraderie that just hasn't been there like it seems to be now ... I hope to see that continue under the new board."

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.