The District No. 43 Fire Board met tonight and appointed Bill Van Ruff to the vacant position left open by the resignation of Jeff Granlund.

The 64-year-old Van Ruff said it was the first time he had served as a fire commissioner.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do for the district,” Van Ruff said following the regular business meeting. “Hopefully I can sooth this district. We do need levies passed.”

Van Ruff said he was asked by Commissioner Mike Scott to apply for the position.

Van Ruff said he thought he was selected because he would be the “best candidate for soothing what has transpired.”

Granlund resigned following the Aug. 6 meeting when the board decided on a split vote not to renew former Maple Valley Fire Chief Tim Lemon’s contract.

The resignation left the board with two members, Scott and Commissioner Brian McGee.

During the meeting tonight,interim Chief Brad Doerflinger proposed the board allocate $22,000 in the 2010 budget to fund a search for a new fire chief.

McGee said, “Hopefully we can define a process and take action in the next meeting.”

Scott and McGee continued to receive some criticism during the public comment period of the meeting concerning the decision to end Lemon’s contract.

Hobart resident Warren Iverson, who is also a member of the Greater Maple Valley Area Council said, “Please again I ask you, Mike and Brian, to resign.”

Following the Aug. 20 meeting, Scott said during an interview about the decision, “This was not easy, but we worked it out. It was time for a new direction.”

The next scheduled meeting will be Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. at Station 81, 22225 S.E. 231st St., Maple Valley.