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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

New fire commissioner sought

District 8 has three months to replace Ferraiuolo

Fire District 8 commissioners plan to review procedures Sept. 8 for replacing Commissioner Jonathan Ferraiuolo, who will step down Monday.

Ferraiuolo announced his resignation at the district’s Aug. 4 meeting.

“I’m just not the best fit for the organization,” Ferraiuolo said, describing himself as a “hands-on kind of guy” in a hands-off, policy-setting role.

He said his specialty is turning around failing corporations, but there is nothing wrong with the fire district.

Chief Bill Walkup said Ferraiuolo “made some very significant contributions.” He said Ferraiuolo was instrumental in development of a capital replacement plan for facilities and equipment as well as a decision to hire paramedics and provide advanced life support.

“What I do best, I did,” Ferraiuolo said, citing those projects. “I don’t think there’s anything else I can bring to the organization.”

If there is, he said, just give him a call.

Walkup said he was drafting procedures the remaining commissioners, Greg Hesse and Lee Boling, can use to appoint Ferraiuolo’s replacement. The process likely will be similar to the one by which Ferraiuolo was appointed in 2006 to fill the unexpired term of Kenneth Kessler.

Ferraiuolo was elected to a new, six-year term in November 2007. Whoever is appointed to replace him would have to stand for election in November 2010 to fill out the unexpired portion of his term.

Walkup said commissioners will move quickly to replace Ferraiuolo because they have only three months to do so before the decision passes to Spokane County commissioners. He said the district likely will contact neighborhood groups and advertise for applicants in newspapers and on the Web.