Vice chair officiates at FMB Fire Meeting
Fort Myers Beach Fire Commission Vice Chairman Ted Reckwerdt will assume the role of officiating the district board’s monthly meetings during the absence of suspended chairman John Scanlon, according to a report by Fire Control Attorney Richard Pringle. The announcement was made during the June meeting at Fire Station No. 31 Tuesday.
Pringle began the attorney report by noting that Commissioner Gordon “Flipp” Harby was appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist effective May 26 after completing all pre-requisites to serve on the board. He stated that Harby’s “term will continue until something happens on a permanent status with Mr. Scanlon” which might be a possible six-month time period from the beginning of the suspended chairman’s pre-trial diversion.
“It is a temporary appointment and position,” said Pringle of Harby’s placement. “The status of the officers of the board essentially remains the same. The vice chairman in the absence of the chairman will continue to officiate at the meetings.
“The idea is that the chairman’s absence automatically triggers the vice chairman serving as the official of the meetings. If the vice chairman is also absent, the secretary would open the meeting and immediately would call for an election of a chair. The governor’s actions were to fill the vacancy on the board only.”
Before Harby was appointed to the FMB Fire Commission, the fire district had only four commissioners on its board.
FMB Fire District’s Public Information and Education Officer Ramon Looby is happy to have a full commission back in order.
“The citizens of the district should be happy that once again they have a complete board to do their work to ensure that they’re getting the best medical, fire and personnel and resources possible,” he said when hearing of the appointment. “There is no problem too big that these five minds can’t handle.”
Fire district open house
The Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District will celebrate its 60th year of service on June 22. The fire district will hold a commemorative ceremony on that Monday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. FMBFCD is the second longest serving fire department in Lee County. The ceremony will take place at FMBFCD fire station # 32, which is located at 17891 San Carlos Boulevard.
Following the ceremony, members of the public will be encouraged to tour the newly constructed fire station, meet fire fighters and view apparatus demonstrations. FMBFCD looks forward to our community in the celebration of the 60 years of service and reopening of fire station # 32. The ceremony will include the dedication of FMBFCD’s new fire engine, the burying of a time capsule and the opportunity to learn about the new station and services.