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Dennis Thomas, owner of Robinson’s Pharmacy, has lived in El Dorado County his entire life. When he learned his good friend Bruce Lacher was retiring as chief of the El Dorado County Fire District, Thomas decided to further serve his community by running for the director position of Division 2 of the county Fire Board.
“I’m not a firefighter and I don’t have a family member who is,” Thomas said, referring to his opponent, Michael Dennis, whose son is a firefighter and works for local union. “You cannot be objective when you have a financial obligation to a family member.” Dennis is also backed by the local Firefighter’s Union. Thomas called the entire circumstance “a true conflict of interest.”
Thomas said his qualifications include running a “fairly complex business with regulations, with quite a few employees and writing a few contracts.” He said running the pharmacy is “similar in some ways to a fire department. You need to know how to run a business successfully.”
Lacher, Thomas said, thought that the businessman’s background, rising through the ranks of sweeping the floors of the pharmacy at age 17 to owning it, made Thomas a good candidate. He simply didn’t run because he didn’t want there to be a conflict of interest, Thomas said.
As the board has been working with a financial deficit over well over $1 million, Thomas said he would look to long-term solutions, and “That’s going to take a collaborative effort on all stakeholders’ parts,” he said. The district is spending money, although revenue is down, he said. “I don’t have the magic bullet. But I do know the board, the union, the public and county need to work collaboratively to solve this.” Thomas commended the union for recent concessions that would ease the financial burden.
“The union has stepped up to the plate, they’ve done a good job helping,” he said. “But that, by itself, will not solve the problem.”
Michael Dennis, the incumbent and Thomas’ opponent, grew up in New York, working in the media field, before becoming disillusioned and moving to Coloma nearly 30 years ago. He married a local woman, set up a business taking videos of whitewater rafters for purchase and continues to run a local TV station.
“I’m an entrepreneurial kind of guy,” he said.
Armed with an understanding of numbers and business and a love for the fire service, Dennis ran for a position on the board and got it. He also did it as a way to keep close to his son, a firefighter who works for the local union.
Dennis is working hard to identify problems, such as the recent loss of an ambulance and “the potential in the near future” to lose an engine, both cutting into service for the community.
Other issues he has found included repairing fire engines — which are “literally falling apart” — and looking at staffing, with all the issues interrelated, he said. They all deal with keeping services for the community.
“The board is terribly broken,” he said, citing the budget problems and the “administrative fat” of the district that he said could use a trimming. The board, he said, hires an auditor each year to manage the bookkeeping, and the union “figured out the budget didn’t coincide” with what county Auditor/Controller Joe Harn found. It turned out that when money had been moved, it was never deducted from its original account, he said.
In running again, Dennis wants to show the public “transparency and integrity,” saying he would “rather spend no time pointing fingers” to focus on the problems themselves.
“I don’t even know if we can fix it without a serious loss to public service,” he said. “But I’d sure like to give it a try.”
The Mountain Democrat does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy
JustOctober 22, 2012 - 6:33 am
MICHAEL DENNIS is the way to vote! Dennis Thomas, aren't you really close friends with the walk away chief Latcher? Let's see here, you are on the City of Placerville's planning commission? Hmm & let's see... isn't your fiance' the Vice Mayor Wendy Mattson? I thought so. How is that "objective"? Our local firefighters need our help, not your pharmacy skills.
Evelyn VeerkampOctober 22, 2012 - 7:30 am
Proofreader -- Dennis Thomas is the "oner" of a pharmacy, and he writes "contractions" (don't, can't, won't)?!!!
David ThomasOctober 23, 2012 - 10:18 am
"Just"-If you are pointing out that a very busy local businessman has made it a priority in his life to give back to his community as planning commissioner and that his relationship with the city's vice Mayor has inspired him to offer even more of his time and expertise in public matters than your Hmmm is correct. Oh and why not give your actual name? My brother Dennis would be a great addition to the Fire Board please vote for him.
Janet WilsonOctober 23, 2012 - 11:17 am
I hope people can read between the lines of Dennis Thomas statement to the local paper. I too am a successful business woman. I've had to make difficult decisions. I too have had to follow regulations on the county, state and federal level. I too have more than "several" employees. The difference is I would never ever say that my business is similar to running a fire department!! You have got to be kidding! I commend your pharmacy skills but to compare the two because you know business is redicululas!!
JustOctober 23, 2012 - 11:22 am
David Thoma- Your brother's business is not even close to running a fire department... MICHAEL DENNIS is the one you need to vote for! He stands up for what is right, not the "good ol boy" team. El Dorado County needs more like him.
Janet WilsonOctober 23, 2012 - 11:48 am
Mrs. Veerkamp. Glad you're here to proof read.
Terri ThomasOctober 23, 2012 - 12:39 pm
I love to read the local paper, I just wish it was more accurate. Often many spelling errors, inaccurate quotes or quotes that have been shortened (that can cause misunderstandings). I do not believe Dennis Thomas was saying his business was like a fire department. He was simply stating he knows how a business is run and has had experience dealing with budgetary issues. I assure you he would be a fair Board member and always do what is best for the greater good! You will not be let down if you vote for Dennis Thomas for Fire Board.
Dennis ThomasOctober 23, 2012 - 2:56 pm
While Cole of the Mountain Democrat attempted to describe who I am and why I am running, some important facts were lost in translation. I am proud to call Wendy Mattson, Vice Mayor, my fiancé. We have both made a conscious decision to dedicate this time in our lives to serving our community. Our mutual desire to give to our community is part of what we so appreciate in each other. We have no illusion that some may use our relationship as a launching pad to discredit us. We both believe that our actions will speak louder than the words of those critics. When I am elected, it is my intention to step down from the Planning Commission for two reasons; there is a potential conflict of interest and I wish to devote 100% of my available time to the fire district. YES, Bruce Lacher is my friend. We have coached baseball together; we have devoted countless volunteer hours and days together as our sons participated in various sports. Over the years, as fathers, we have watched our sons grow up together. While there is controversy over Chief Lacher’s retirement, I am not one to run from a challenge and what is important. His retirement has not changed the challenges before us and our greater community. Now that Chief Lacher is retiring I feel free to run for the El Dorado County Fire Board. Any time sooner and there would be a conflict of interest. It would be inappropriate to be his boss, decide his salary or his benefits. As our Fire District faces unprecedented financial challenges we need someone with experience. I have extensive experience in areas of balancing budgets and dealing with multimillion dollar businesses. There is a saying that the business of business is business. I have sat on several boards; whether it’s a pharmacy, a multibillion dollar company or potentially a fire board, a balanced budget with adequate reserves is the same wherever I go. Moreover it’s about people, jobs and feeling secure in your employment. I am in touch with the community with unbiased clarity. Clearly, in part, that is what is needed NOW and going forward. I am neither the Union’s friend nor enemy. I believe that we all must come to the table as our best self with the public safety first and foremost as our primary objective. There are jobs on the line; there are critical response times on the line and public safety is at stake! Having qualified staff with proper training and equipment is critical and at risk. The public deserves nothing less. I am not in bed with any special interest by either family relation or association with the Fire District or its employees. I come to the table freely in order to solve this problem through collaborative efforts with every stake holder. I believe that the public needs to be aware of exactly what challenges lay ahead and be involved in the discussions that lead to the decision making process. The solutions have the potential to be painful for all and all need to be involved.
Michael DennisOctober 23, 2012 - 5:20 pm
I have intentionally not pointed out the alliances and friendships of my opponent Dennis Thomas. In fact, I have said nothing at all about my opponent Mr. Thomas. I will not engage in the political baloney of finger pointing, casting ridiculous allegations of family alliances, conflict of interest and telling lies over and over in the hopes that if you say it loud enough and long enough, people will believe it. The facts are very simple. Although Chief Lacher may have been a dedicated Fire Fighter, as Chief, he has failed miserably in his duty to direct the preparation and administration of the Fire District’s budget and long term financial plan So too, the Board of Directors have failed to adequately oversee and exercise administrative direction to the Chief. . The math is simple. WE ARE 1.6 MILLION DOLLARS IN DEFICIT!!!!! When the previous Division 2 Board member moved out of the area, I was the ONLY person who expressed interest in being appointed to the balance of the term. I was appointed to the position and openly discussed the fact that my son was a Firefighter, asking if anyone felt that was a conflict of interest. No person had an issue at that time, including a current Board Member, Mark Johnson, who also has a son in the Fire Service. I find it interesting that my opponent did not have an interest in the seat BEFORE it came to light that his self-proclaimed friend, Chief Lacher, messed things up so badly. Where was Mr. Thomas’ then? I was the first Board member that went to the County Auditor to find out for myself if there was problems with the adequacy, completeness and consistency of the financial reports given to the Board by the Fire Chief. I was advised at the time by our County Auditor that our Board should be getting better information to make decisions with. After advising the Board of my discoveries. the Board decided that it was more important to back their loyalty to the Chief than get to the truth of the matter, with integrity and transparency. Now we are facing the potential of drastic changes to our work force and possibly significant cuts in our ability to serve our community. Joe Harn’s own words say it all, “Michael, it is commendable that you contacted me in April regarding these issues. It has helped make the District recognize the unpleasant financial truth.” I have been fighting the “good old boys” in this District from the day I brought the distasteful truth to the Board. Frankly, I believe the public is sick of this recycled “good old boy” network and expects more from its elected officials. In addition, I am deeply proud of what my son and every other Fire Fighter/Paramedic does for a profession. I have no conflict of interest with him being a Firefighter. I have recused myself from any Board discussions involving labor negotiations with the Firefighters and frankly, I have voted against the Union’s best interests 3 times in the past. When did we forget who these people are? They are heroes who walk up the stairs when the rest of us are running down!!!! Frankly, I am fed up with the ”same as usual” political garbage that is spewing forth from our current Board, my opponent and their supporters who wish to keep our Fire District in the hands of the “Good Old Boys.” This is too important! When you dial 911, who is coming through your door, with what skills and equipment, and in what period of time? That is what we need to concentrate on and forget about this adolescent, clichéd, political name calling, lies and distortion. If you want to keep finding yourself in a horrid deficit, with reduced fire and ambulance service, with the same old finger pointing, then don’t vote for me. If you want the truth, transparency and integrity, then I’m your man! I will try my very best to do the right thing at all times!
Kathy DennisOctober 23, 2012 - 5:53 pm
Dennis Thomas: I want to believe your platform for running for a Board seat is done in good faith…. Most likely. What I can’t get over is that every chance you can, you elude the fact that Michael Dennis has a son who is a Fire Fighter in our Fire District. That young man is MY son!! My son is his own man!! He doesn't need either one of us to fight his battles!! I'm very proud that MY son is a Fire Fighter/Paramedic and risks his life to save lives every day!! My husband, Michael Dennis, recuses himself from ALL matters concerning the Union’s negotiations! What happened to everyone when our Fire Fighters are no longer heroes in the public’s or the Board’s eyes? Also, what happened to the Chiefs that were once great Fire Fighters and then lost their integrity, brotherhood and ethos when they put on their white shirts? Where did those guys go? Very sad. Very, very sad. By the way Mr. Thomas, if you wish to grovel in the dirt with my husband [which he will not participate in] feel free to do so. However, show a little dignity and integrity by leaving my son, WHO I AM SO VERY PROUD OF ON ALL LEVELS, OUT OF YOUR CAMPAIGN!!!!eb