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Newman City Manager clarifies there is no turmoil with city’s fire service
Newman City Hall

In response to the previously published story from Westside Connect, Newman City Manager Michael Holland offers a clarification about the Newman Fire Service and its agreement with the West Stanislaus County Fire Protection District.

Ahead of an Oct. 6 special city council meeting, the Westside Connect published a preview story on the settlement between the city and the district. The article mentions the City Council to consider voting on a prelitigation settlement and release agreement that would terminate the 1988 joint powers agreement (JPA) and end the shared ownership of Station 55 between the two agencies.

Holland said the district notified city staff that it planned on terminating its cost-sharing agreement last October and JPA the following month. He added that both parties focused on solving the matter “amicably.”

To avoid litigation, both parties agreed to a tolling agreement last December and entered a full-mediation on Feb. 17. Later on, both sides jointly retained an appraiser, who valued the property at $1.4 million.

Following the City Council’s 3-0 vote on the agreement, Newman will pay the district $550,000 for its portion of the property. Following a net settlement, the city will pay more than $625,943.93 to the district, according to the staff report.

The article later mentioned a Facebook post by Don Cabral Jr., where he wrote that the city removed four volunteer firefighters: Battalion Chief Don Cabral, Battalion Chief and paramedic Bob Vargas, Captain Tony Anderson and Engineer Jazmyn Anderson. The post also claims that the decision stems from the four individuals’ willingness to respond to emergencies within the district. Cabral Jr. serves as the Battalion Chief for the district and the fire captain at the Defense Distribution Depot in Tracy, according to his Facebook page.

Holland said he cannot speak on individual personnel matters, but said there is no conflict within the city’s fire service with firefighters providing services to residents.

“Our station is staffed and we have dedicated volunteers that are there to respond to any help that our residents may need as well as a respond to any help that any of our sister agencies and neighboring outside agencies need as well in terms of a mutual response,” Holland said.