Op-Ed by Tom Harris, Associate Editor
Tom Harris Associate Editor
The Sentinel has received the following op-ed from Tom Harris. It is a follow-up to two previous articles that covered the Mosquito Fire Protection District (MFPD) concerns about the Mosquito Fire Safe Council (MFSC) dated October 28, 2023, and November 5, 2023. Subsequent developments have brought attention to aspects related to the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council (EDCFSC) and its relationship with the Mosquito Fire Safe Council (MFSC).
To recap, these articles highlighted that the EDCFSC (and its subordinate MFSC) and the MFPD operate with different roles and responsibilities. MFPD Fire Chief Jack Rosevear is accountable solely to his board of directors, emphasizing his responsibility for MFPD operations and mission fulfillment, a responsibility not shared by the EDCFSC. Previously assumed collaborations between local fire safe councils including the MFSC, and their respective fire departments may not be accurate. There are concerns that the MFSC might be inadvertently undermining the MFPD’s mission through discussions about Chief Rosevear’s performance and the MFPD board’s effectiveness.
As reported by MFPD board chairman Don Stever, recent social media posts by MFSC associates containing personal attacks and negative comments about Chief Rosevear prompted the MFPD board to file a complaint (original below) with the EDCFSC. Notably, these negative comments are coming from associates of the MFSC, raising concerns about potential efforts to undermine the MFPD’s authority. The question arises whether an unelected county fire safe council, such as the MFSC, can work without oversight to impact the autonomy of a county tax district like the MFPD. This possibility is being explored.
Statewide county fire safe councils, like the EDCFSC, operate as 501(c)(3) non-profits financed by taxpayer funds, overseen by the California Fire Safe Council and CalFire but not under the authority of the El Dorado County government. While they lack public oversight, these councils are still accountable and bound by ethical standards applicable to those handling taxpayer funds. An email from the MFSC president, Karen Pullin, dated October 9, 2023, raised questions about the potential influence on future grant allocations based on demands made to Chief Rosevear. Ms. Pullin asserted that the MFSC is not bound by the Brown Act or Davis Sterling, prompting questions about fiscal accountability.
Local district fire safe councils, including the MFSC, have appointed boards, and don’t provide any financial reporting, potentially lacking direct accountability to taxpayers
Local district fire safe councils, including the MFSC, have appointed boards, and don’t provide any financial reporting, potentially lacking direct accountability to taxpayers. This raises concerns about the potential misuse of taxpayer-supplied grant money. The article also explores the possibility of misuse of grant money by local district fire-safe councils, with a lack of accountability in follow-up audits. The responsibility for addressing potential misuse typically lies with the holder of the non-profit charter, in this case, the EDCFSC.
The article further suggests examining the personalities and histories of MFSC board members and their associates for insights into their motivations. More information on this may be covered in future editions of the Sentinel.
The MFPD Board of Directors invites the public to attend their open meetings, with the next one scheduled for January 25th at 7 PM at the fire station. For additional background information, readers are encouraged to refer to previous articles published in the Sentinel.
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