A Nomination Declined

(The following letter to Kevin Cragin, chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners, has been received for publication.)

Dear Chairman,

In much as I appreciate the nomination to the BOFC [Board of Fire Commissioners] as a potential candidate to sit in the civilian chair in the upcoming years, at this time I would like to decline and withdraw my nomination from your slated election.

Over the past 4/5 years serving on the board or sitting on the sidelines, in my opinion I have seen a decline of leadership, moral, and overall sense of childish games that I wish to have no part of. The recent attacks on my character and ridiculous accusations of involvement with a certain fire company show me that you as a chairman and a couple of your sidekicks have failed to do your duty to gain control of your board, your peers and place blame on others in place of where it was needed. I do not wish to be involved in a petty name-calling campaign to try to discredit any of the five fire companies and find that your games and tactics are no better than anyone else’s. I am sure that it will bring great joy to you and a few others to learn I have no desire to sit in the company of a few narrow-minded, one-sided individuals who claim to be looking after “someone or something’s” best interests.

Even when I sat on the board, I have always questioned whose best interests the BOFC really have because it has become seeming clear that it does not involve all five fire companies.

Personally I feel that you stepping down as chairman is a great move in the right direction for the board.

Just for the record, I have had no influence by any fire department in this town to run for the civilian opening and chose to do so on my own.

Saying that I might align myself with any one fire house is ridiculous because I would have aligned myself with all five of them. In the minutes from the meeting on 9/24/12 it was stated, and I quote, “Cragin stated he has been chairman for 21 years. The last 12 months have been the worst months during his tenure due to internal conflicts among local fire officials. He doesn’t believe this atmosphere will change for years to come.” The conflict between one local fire department is a more proper way of putting it.

Thank you to those who had and have supported me, see you all at the next meeting.

Respectfully,

Rob Mcculloch

5 Bridge End Farm Lane, Sandy Hook                     October 3, 2012