I am writing to set the record straight in regard to a few comments Jeff Granlund made in an article titled “Maple Valley Fire Board Race Turns on the Heat” and in his Letter to the Editor in the October 22, 2009 edition of the Maple Valley/Covington Reporter.

One of the statements Granlund made, and I quote, “he feels the union solicited and endorsed Walls to run against him.” Granlund is quite wrong in this area. It was actually I whom the union had sought to run against Granlund. I, however, choose not to run due to my current workload and the time constraints it would have on me and my family.

It was I who, over several months, convinced Camille Walls to run for the fire commissioners position. I have known Camille Walls and her late husband, Ken Walls, for many years. Camille and Ken owned and operated Maple Valley Trophies for a number of years here in Maple Valley. I personally know Camille and she works for me as my lead inspector at the Renton Fire and Emergency Services Department. In my time as her supervisor I find Camille to have a very strong work ethic, display a high degree of integrity, and is extremely intelligent, especially when it comes to fire related issues. Camille also has an Associates of Arts in fire science.

Not to sound as if I want this letter to be negative, I just want to clarify one last quote Granlund made in both his Letter to the Editor and in the article concerning the commissioner race and I quote, “I am pro-citizen.” If that is truly the case I ask the citizens of Maple Valley to consider the following few issues Granlund supported, as commissioner, before he resigned. During his tenure as commissioner the fire administration received a 5.6 percent raise after there were two lid lifts that failed. He supported the issue of no evaluations be conducted on Chief Lemon and he also supported the contract, which allowed Tim Lemon to walk away with $105,000 in severance pay.

The issues I raise are on record of what Granlund supported and can easily be found by researching past commissioners minutes and recent Maple Valley/Covington reporter articles pertaining to the termination of Tim Lemon’s contract and Granlund’s resignation. These are only a few items that I had time to address in which Granlund supported the past administration on and are items that we, as tax payers of Fire District 43, are now paying for. These are a just few facts. I felt the record needed to be clarified.

The issues I raise in this letter are why I urge voters to support Camille Walls. She will be an individual who truly will be pro-citizen. She is concerned that Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety continue to provide the highest level of fire and emergency medical services to all citizens of the fire district, without having to raise taxes. She is also concerned that no individuals lose their jobs during these difficult economic times. I again urge the voters of Fire District 43 to vote yes for Camille Walls.

Dave Pargas

Maple Valley