In the interest of promoting communication on a contentious issue, BCPOA has offered each candidate in the BCRFD Trustee election the opportunity to share their thoughts in their own words. We hope you find these helpful.

Statements are unedited and order is random.

Jump to: Franklin Coles * Peggy Foster * John Maloney * Jane Lerner

Jane Lerner

Those of us who live in Bridger Canyon have beautiful scenery, wildlife and outdoor activities all year round.  In addition, we are blessed with a community unlike many others.  This is a community where neighbors help neighbors, and the community comes together to support each other.  An important part of our community is our fire department where volunteers are willing to step up and act as fire fighters, trustees and support personnel to keep our beautiful canyon safe.

In the past year BCRFD has made great strides.  Many new volunteers, mostly Canyon residents, have been recruited as fire fighters.  We have a new, experienced Chief.  Training hours are up significantly, public notices are posted for all meetings and the public encouraged to participate. All minutes and financial statements are available on our website, as BCRFD strives to be more open and transparent.  Learn more at:  www.bridgercanyonfire.org.

I want to see us continue all of this good work and put the past behind us and focus on the future. Our fire department serves all of the residents of the Canyon, and my hope is to help make sure all voices and concerns are heard and addressed.  My prior experience practicing law plus years of service on local and national boards should benefit Canyon residents.  If you agree it is time to move forward to support and build our fire department, please vote for me.

Visit www.supportourfireboard.org for more information.

John Maloney

To Protect Lives and Property

Before moving here, I spent 20 years as a professional firefighter, EMT, paramedic, inspector, and arson investigator for a city of nearly 50,000 with a daytime population of 100,000. In that 20 years, I was involved in over 4,670 fire calls, 9,340 medical calls, and received over 7,300 hours of training.

Has the BCFD Changed its Mission?

• 2008:  Serving alcohol in the Community Room voted down unanimously.
• 2009 Flaming Arrow fire:  Resident—“They saved my house.” Score: 0 injuries, 0 structures lost.
• May 22, 2012 letter to board:  Cam Gould praises volunteer firefighters and again advocates serving alcohol.
• November 2012:  Board votes to put chief on salary effective January 2013, after 18-month study.
• November 28, 2012:  Cam Gould suggests “corrective action” against chief when chief and firefighters continue opposition to serving alcohol.
• December 2012:  Board again votes unanimously to not allow alcohol, after the media picked up the story. The County attorney, firefighters, and numerous residents were also against alcohol in a firehouse.
• December 2012:  After alcohol vote, board decides to review chief with no public discussion.
• January 2013:  Chief NOT put on salary, continues as contract employee.
• May 2013:  The chief and 17 firefighters resign.
• May 30, 2013:  Chronicle editorial suggests attempt to change the no alcohol policy is cause of resignations.
• June 2013:  Guest editorial from board takes issue with Chronicle editorial but no denial about alcohol.
• May 2013 to present:  Board claims alcohol is a “non-issue”.

This board has put our volunteers, residents, and visitors to the Canyon at risk because of this “non-issue”. Make this board a “non-issue”; vote “YES” to recall. Vote for Franklin and John, because we have not lost track of what the Mission of all Firefighters is and always has been—to protect lives and property.

Go to www.bcfdsafetycoalition.org for more information

Margaret (Peggy) Foster

I moved to Bozeman, Montana in 1995 when my husband retired from the US Navy.    I earned my Master of Professional Accountancy from MSU and worked as a CPA in the public sector until retiring in 2012.   I was the treasurer for Hope Lutheran Church for seven years, on the board of Haven, am presently involved in Family Promise, Financial Secretary at Christ The King Church and Treasurer for the Bridger Canyon Women’s Club.  During tax season, I do volunteer tax work for HRDC.

I filled an unexpired term on board in 2009 and was elected to a 3 year term in 2011.  Since joining the board I have:

• brought our Financial Statements into compliance with general accepted accounting principles
• consolidated all moneys received into the county checking account as required by Montana Code
• saved the district several thousand dollars yearly by providing accounting services free of charge

The current board has accomplished many significant improved practices:

• firefighters are now covered by Workers Compensation
• notices of meetings are posted along with the meeting agenda
• Minutes and Financial Statements are posted monthly at www.bridgercanyonfire.org
• minutes are recorded to avoid misinformation in the written minutes
• the public is welcomed at all meetings and opportunities are provided for public comment
• district funds have been saved by competitive bidding practices
• By-laws were updated, and a Strategic Plan with a mission vision statement and rules and procedures has been crafted and implemented to assure the continuous improvement of operational readiness.

The district currently has a professional and dedicated team of firefighters, the majority of whom live in the district. These dedicated volunteers deserve the full support of this board. I will continue to support them in every way possible, with a genuine commitment to the safety and best interests of the district.

Visit www.supportourfireboard.org for more information.

Franklin Coles

If elected BCFD trustees,  retired professional firefighter, John Maloney and I promise that our primary duty SHALL be to provide the District with the highest level protection possible. We will conserve  district resources and strive to create an environment that permits the return of the resigned well-trained and experienced firefighters to serve alongside the new volunteers in providing the District with high level protection. We will treat firefighters, the Department’s most valuable resource, with appreciation and respect.

The current board has not placed protection of the District and conservation of Department resources as  priorities.

The trustees disrespected firefighters yet stated repeatedly their desire to enter mediation with them. The trustees’ actions discredit their claims.  Last May, 18 of 22 highly experienced BCFD volunteer firefighters resigned.   When District residents sought a temporary restraining order, permitting the return of ousted firefighters, pending a court hearing,  trustees argued that MCA 7-33-2105 (1b)  authorizes trustees to provide fire protection but does not require them to do so. Curiously, the board demonstrated in court that provision of protection to the District is  optional, and with no public input, fought  the firefighters’ return.

Although the board’s use of $24,000  for attorney’s  fees to fight the firefighters’ return was paid by the District’s insurance, this claim may have put the insurability of the District in severe jeopardy. Apparently, our insurer has “red-flagged” the District’s policy for its recent claims history.  If the Department files one more claim, we are likely to lose our insurance coverage. Based upon our claim history, no other insurance company would issue the BCFD a policy:  too risky!  No insurance means no local protection.

John Maloney and I will strive to help the Department realize its potential for the highest level of protection possible.

Go to www.bcfdsafetycoalition.org for more information