Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
RITZVILLE – It’s back to the drawing board in the city’s search for a new chief of police — including an interim chief.
During the Aug. 6 City Council meeting, Mayor Scott Yaeger cast the deciding vote to begin negotiating with former Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr to temporarily take on police chief duties.
With the City Council split 3-3, Yaeger voted to begin negotiations with Fuhr as a temporary replacement for Police Chief Dave McCormick, who is retiring Sept. 30.
Councilwomen Jen Verhey, Michelle Plumb and Brooke Scheel supported the interim negotiations proposed by Yaeger. Council members Dennis Chamberlain, Mike Schrag and Jessica Quinn opposed it.
But in an email to the Journal after deadline Aug. 12, Yaeger said those negotiations won’t be taking place.
“… I have received notice from Kevin’s wife that he is fighting some major health issues and will be unable to offer his services to the city of Ritzville at this time,” Yaeger wrote. “I will be having to regroup on a plan for the city Police Department chief duties.”
The city is having difficulties in finding a suitable candidate to replace McCormick.
In a previous letter to the City Council, Yaeger noted advertising and recruitment efforts via the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and other outlets “are not currently showing any progress in obtaining qualified applicants.”
Ritzville resident Glen Stockwell, and Councilmen Mike Schrag and Dennis Chamberlain have lobbied for local policeman Matt Carlson to be considered for the post.
But, according to Yaeger, Carlson has not tendered a cover letter or resume.
Yaeger confirmed he had received hand-delivered documents detailing Carlson’s experience, but that they were “not labeled, dated or signed.”
Yaeger has not said whether Carlson tendered the documents as part of the application process or whether someone else provided them.
Roger Harnack is owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.
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