KPFD Property Purchase “Boondoggle”

When the KP Fire District board spent taxpayer money to buy the O’Callahan’s restaurant property, it convinced me to never again vote in favor of one of their levies. The board bought the property with the idea that they could make some money on leasing it while planning to build a new headquarters. But as previous tenants of the property would tell you, it needs many thousands of dollars in repairs before it can be licensed by Pierce County

Then the district will need to pay to hire a company to find a new tenant and manage the property. If it was not financially feasible to keep running the restaurant as it was, it will likely be impossible to find a business that can pay off the repair debt, pay the management company, and still make a profit. The board made a terrible decision, and I am surmising that Hal Wolverton’s sudden suspension was because he spoke out against this boondoggle. (See “KPFD Rejects ILA …” Jan. 2022)

With all sincerity, I ask Commissioner Moffett, board president, to please tender his resignation so that the fire district can find new leadership. The current headquarters in Key Center is adequate. Speaking as a former KP Parks commissioner, I can tell you that the parks district would love to have such a facility. I remain unconvinced that spending our money to build a new headquarters is necessary, and I refuse to vote “yes” on another levy until we have new leadership committed to spending tax money more wisely.

John Pat Kelly, Wauna