McCormick postpones retirement

RITZVILLE – Police Chief Dave McCormick isn’t going anywhere just yet.

In a letter dated June 29, Mayor Scott Yaeger informed the City Council that Police Chief Dave McCormick has agreed to postpone his retirement to “no longer than” Sept. 30.

The letter said the extension provides the city with more time to fill the position with an interim or permanent employee.

“I am thankful for David’s decision to postpone his retirement, as the search for his replacement has not been an easy task, thus far,” Yaeger wrote, noting the position requires strong supervisory and management experience, including scheduling, budgeting, training and staff relations.

The letter was a topic of discussion during the subsequent City Council meeing.

During that meeting, a resident and two council members commented on the search for a replacement police chief. All three suggested Ritzville Police officer Matt Carlson as a potential replacement.

During the public comment segment of the meeting, resident Glen Stockwell said he emailed several council members about Carlson.

The email stated, in part, “I strongly believe Matt [Carlson] would serve as Chief for Ritzville for the same current salary Dave [McCormick] is receiving.”

At the meeting Stockwell spoke on Carlson’s behalf.

“I want to stand up for Matt Carlson,” Stockwell said. “He’s a veteran. I’ve known him for a long time. Matt’s never been a coward.

“The community has had a long trend of hiring from within. I wish you’d reconsider and take a vote.”

Former mayor and current City Councilman Dennis Chamberlain agreed.

“Our employees and officers are worth our patience and support. They reward our city with longevity and loyalty,” he said. “Our senior officer, Matt [Carlson], has Ritzville’s well-being in his heart and I ask you to consider allowing him the chance.”

He later added, “Giving people a chance to make things right is worth it for a small town like ours.”

Councilman Mike Schrag noted that Spokane’s mayor formed a committee of council members and residents to recommend applicants.

“Since Dave has postponed his retirement date, maybe we have time to do something similar,” Schrag said. “We could form a committee, get input from residents and council members, and provide recommendations to the mayor. It might be better than putting the entire hiring decision on one individual.”

Yaeger noted that there is only one applicant, so far.

“And that’s not the person anyone in this room has talked about tonight,” he said.

In other business:

• The council unanimously declared a Turner Street property, owned by Carlo and Joyce Cerutti, as a nuisance. Conditions cited included accumulation of debris and building materials, and abandoned and/or junk vehicles. The council agreed to proceed with “appropriate administrative procedures,” including the use of city personnel or contractors to abate the nuisance.

• Clerk/Treasurer Julie Flyckt reported on permits and developments. “We’re still working with Les Schwab to get them through the process so we can issue a building permit,” she said.

Flyckt also noted the Maverick service station developers installed gas tanks recently.