Novato fire board reappoints candidate illegally appointed last week

June 03--Worth Fenner, a retiree who served as the Novato Fire Protection District's insurance broker for almost 30 years, was once again appointed to the district's board Monday after being illegally appointed last week.

About 13 members of the public attended the hastily arranged meeting, with some speaking in support of candidate Mary Stompe. One director was absent and could not participate in the meeting, so Fenner was chosen by three directors.

The meeting was held to correct the violation that occurred Wednesday. At that meeting, the directors left the room to confer privately about their choice to fill the board vacancy. This violated the Brown Act, the state open government law.

On Monday, after formally rescinding last week's appointment, the board reinterviewed the three candidates for the open position, then deliberated in open session.

Directors Brad Beedle, L.J. Silverman and Jim Galli voted in favor of Fenner's appointment, duplicating the votes they cast last week. Director Tomas Kaselionis, who last week voted against Fenner, was not able to participate in the meeting.

Novato residents spoke at the beginning of the meeting.

"The Brown Act is supposed to make you not have these back room smoky deals. I'm really discouraged you have done this. Here's a copy of the Brown Act," Rosalie Webb said, handing copies to the three directors.

Ralph Webb said, "I'd like to speak on behalf of Mary Stompe. She is eminently qualified. I've known her since she was a schoolgirl. She is well educated; she has an MBA. She has led a business with a national reputation and if you pass up a chance to make her part of your team, you are missing one heck of a chance."

Despite this feedback, the directors voted in favor of Fenner. They shared their reasons before voting.

"I did have a concern about the many irons you have in the fire," Beedle told Stompe as he deliberated.

Stompe is the executive director of a nonprofit that builds and manages affordable housing for seniors. While praising Stompe's many volunteer activities, Beedle expressed concern about her ability to make time for fire board meetings.

Another concern was "understanding the culture we have on the board," Beedle said.

Board president Silverman, citing Fenner's "financial background," said he would "make a nice fit for our organization.

Galli said, "Ms. Stompe, I don't know how you do it all."

"Even as we move forward in a positive way it's taking 10 to 15 hours of my week," he said.

Galli also said he was concerned about a possible conflict of interest involving the third candidate, podiatrist Vincent Marino, who had said he occasionally treats injured firefighters via workers compensation.

After the meeting, Rosalie Webb said, "I didn't expect it to turn out differently because the good old boys have their act together. They have known this insurance man for years. Why appoint someone who might rock the boat?"

Ralph Webb said, "If she (Stompe) had been on the board, this (Brown Act violation) wouldn't have happened."

Stompe said, "Brad Beedle said he was looking for someone who understood the culture. L.J. Silverman said he (Fenner) would be a 'nice fit' for the organization. I bring diversity and expertise in many areas not represented by the board."

Marino could not be reached for comment. Fenner declined to comment for this story. Last week, he responded, "No comment," when asked whether he felt the district needed to be more transparent, what direction would be good for the district, and why he felt he was qualified to serve on the board.

Wednesday's violation of the Brown Act is one of a series of misfires involving the director position. Kevin Johnston, a former Novato battalion chief and Alameda County fire division chief, won election last fall with a majority of the vote but stepped down April 2 because of a technicality in a new state law.

Board members failed to support a resolution that would have allowed him to continue to serve while still collecting his pension.

Johnston's departure and the Brown Act violation follow other turmoil in the district over the past 18 months that included the abrupt retirement of chief Marc Revere when confronted with alleged misuse of public funds; the departure of deputy chief Eric Nickel; and the ouster of Brad Beedle as board president.

Contact Janis Mara at 415-382-7207.

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