Jones’ position as chief for the past three years comes to an end amid criticism and a vote of no-confidence by both the firefighters’ and chief officers’ unions. At the Thursday meeting more than one hundred attended with no one speaking in support of chief Jones who was not there as he was on executive leave.
Retired fire fighters and residents alike spoke out against Jones’ leadership. The Aptos/ La Selva Chief Officers’ Association President, Todd Skrabak said the “organization needs to heal. Leadership, we have to have it,” as he spoke to the board. Firefighters’ union President Ryan Peters said the district needs new leadership and new ideas.
Fire Capt. Will Wingert said the firefighters have been through “a lot the last two years. I gain no joy and derive no joy in engaging in this process. (The union) is ready to put this behind us and move forward.”