This letter is written to clarify and expose falsehoods, as well as present a different point of view, in regard to the Oct. 28 article "Chief resigns over dispute." Mark Lauer, former chief of the Unionville Volunteer Fire Company, has served his community faithfully for more than two decades. Throughout his years of service, he consistently has participated in, and contributed to, the fire company's operations and deserves respect for his service. However, recently his actions have raised questions and offended many people. On Oct. 23, Lauer resigned from his position as chief. His reasoning for resignation was based on a dispute in which a fire company meeting was held while roughly a dozen members were assisting in a search for an elderly man. In the Oct. 28 article, it is stated that Lauer canceled the meeting, which was scheduled for Oct. 20, so sufficient manpower could assist in the search. However, as stated in the company's bylaws, it is the duty of the company president, not the chief, to determine whether a meeting should be held. Also, in order for a meeting to be held, at least 15 members must be present — a number that was met, despite the fact that 12 members were engaged in the search. Upon the president's arrival, he determined that because the required quorum was met, the meeting should be held. In response to Lauer's comment in the article that "there's no sense of having a command structure if they're not going to follow it," by canceling the meeting Lauer violated the command structure because it is in the authority of the president, not the chief, to cancel meetings. Lauer's description of the members who attended the meeting as "putting self before service" is offensive and insulting. All of those in attendance at the meeting regularly sacrifice and risk their lives for their community. As one of the firefighters who participated in the search, I find no fault with those who attended the meeting, and I am appalled that Lauer would publicly bash those who deserve only respect and admiration. Lauer's resignation ushers in a new era for the Unionville Volunteer Fire Company — an era that hopefully will bear the absence of unnecessary and defamatory comments and actions that benefit none and harm many.
Nathan Wulff, Center Township Unionville firefighter
