Board appoints Wesley Thacheli to Harbor Rural Fire Protection District seat

The Curry County Board of Commissioners on June 16 appointed Wesley Thacheli to position number three on the Harbor Rural Fire Protection District board, a seat the district needed to achieve a quorum.

Three candidates introduced themselves and answered commissioner questions about budgeting, training and service delivery. Dennis Strode described a long career in the fire service — including work as a battalion chief and arson investigator — and said he would prioritize equipment and planning to support firefighters and water‑rescue operations. Michael Sullivan said community service and budgeting discipline were central to his interest and noted he could contribute technical skills. The third candidate described decades of fire‑service leadership and emphasized training, inventories and transformational leadership to support volunteers.

Commissioners questioned applicants about experience managing budgets and priorities for a rural, mixed terrain district. Panelists emphasized the need for adequate equipment, consistent training, and workable operations to protect both residents and volunteers. After the question-and-answer period the board moved and seconded a nomination for Wesley Thacheli to fill the seat; the motion passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: the appointment gives the Harbor Rural Fire Protection District a quorum so it can proceed with its governance work and fill remaining positions. Commissioners said they value candidate experience and the district’s need for strategic budgeting and training.

Next steps: the appointee will assume position number three on the Harbor Rural Fire Protection District board and the district may use its quorum to appoint other positions and continue governance business.