William R. Akerley, chairman

To the editor:

The Gilford Board of Fire Engineers to date has opted to stay out of the “tit for tat” letter writing campaign regarding the replacement of 29-year-old Engine 1. However, the latest letters to the Editor from Mr. McDevitt and Mr. Cookman must be refuted.

Mr. McDevitt has never approached the Board of Fire Engineers with his concerns regarding the replacement of Engine 1, although he would be welcome at any meeting. Instead, Mr. McDevitt has chosen to air his opinions through a letter writing campaign and personal lobbying with the Town Administrator, Board of Selectmen and Budget Committee. This resulted in a great deal of confusion regarding the Department’s needs and undermined Chief Hayes and the Board of Fire Engineers. This appears to be Mr. McDevitt’s goal. In our view, it was to create significant confusion to obstruct the acquisition of the fire truck the Board of Fire Engineers and Department administration supports.

The Board of Fire Engineers does not believe there are any ethics problems within the Department. In regard to Mr. Cookman’s flamboyant account of the Jan. 4 budget meeting, it is important to note that he was not in attendance. His information must have been gathered second or third hand and is totally inaccurate as two signers of this letter were present. It would be far more beneficial if Mr. McDevitt and Mr. Cookman would work with the Board of Fire Engineers rather than pursue “back door avenues.”

Any concerned citizen that would like to attend a Board of Fire Engineers meeting is welcome. We meet the third Tuesday of every month, 8:15 a.m. at the Fire Station on Cherry Valley Road.

We are extremely proud of Chief Hayes, Deputy Beland, all career and Call Company staff as well as our Explorer Post. They absolutely live up to the Gilford Fire-Rescue Department motto, “The Pride of the Lakes Region.”

William R. Akerley, chairman

Gilford Board of Fire Engineers