If you’re interested in filling one of the two open spots on the Central Platte Fire District, take note that the process is now underway.
Individuals with an interest in serving on the fire board will want to read the legal notice from Central Platte, which is published on page A-8 of this issue of The Landmark. The process for filling the two open spots is described in full in that legal notice.
As reported in last week’s Landmark, two members of the three-member Central Platte Fire Board died within hours of one another on Thursday, Jan. 31.
Regan, 67, of Platte City, died at North Kansas City Hospital that afternoon. He had suffered a medical event a few days prior to his death. Stanley George, 77, died unexpectedly that evening at his home in Platte City.
The deaths leave the fire board without the ability to form a quorum for a meeting. The only remaining member is Mike Ashcraft. That being the case, the two openings will be appointed by the Platte County Circuit Court. The court will appoint two individuals to serve until the next biennial election, at which time two directors will be elected to serve the remainder of the unexpired terms, according to a legal notice issued this week by fire district’s attorneys.
Persons wanting to apply to get an appointment to the fire board shall submit their name, in person, at the office of Welch & Webb, LLC, 500 Third St., Platte City, and file a statement under oath that he/she possesses the required qualifications. Welch & Webb serves as the legal counsel for the fire district.
The application period for those seeking an appointment to the board will open at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13 and will close at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26. Interested applicants may appear at the Welch & Webb law office Monday through Friday during the times listed above.
All applicants need to be aware that members of the board of directors of a fire protection district shall attend and complete an educational seminar or conference or other suitable training on the role and duties of a board member of a fire district.
If you have questions concerning the appointment of fire board members, contact Mike Ashcraft, current member, at 816.668.1687 or Lona Fowler, secretary to the board, at 816.678.4794 between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
On Friday, Feb. 8, fire district attorneys made a filing asking the circuit court for authorization to pay the salaries and invoices incurred by the fire district. As of Monday no ruling had yet been handed down.
Both Regan and George had served many years on the fire board. George’s most recent stint on the board began in April of 2018 when he was elected over Dan Laxson. Prior to that he had served many years before being defeated by Andy Stanton in the 2012 election.
George had been connected to the fire district since age 18, when he became a volunteer firefighter. Regan had also been a longtime volunteer firefighter for the district before becoming a board member.
George had retired from Beverly Lumber Company after 49 years, having managed the Beverly and Platte City lumber yards. His complete obituary appears in this issue of The Landmark on page 4.