We the undersigned residents of the Evergreen Fire Protection District demand our Chiefs operate and are hired at the highest levels of integrity to service of our community. The recent hire of Chief Kazian is a VIOLATION OF THE PUBLIC TRUST. The District Board of Directors needs to investigate and rectify how the District Chief made this unilateral decision.

The front page of the Greeley Tribune April 26, 2023 reads: Amid investigation, fire chief resigns from Windsor Severance Fire Rescue. He had been placed on administrative leave. Their Board held an executive session to approve legal funds to pursue the investigation. The full allegations have not been disclosed. (Article link: Reporter Herald https://www.reporterherald.com/2023/04/06/amid-investigation-fire-chief-resigns-from-windsor-severance-fire-rescue/)

Why it matters? The Chief position is the most trusted position in a community. For any individual or family at its most vulnerable and tragic moment, the chief is a welcome and trusted figure in that home or scene. We trust the Chief to visit our grade schools and spend time with our children. Once that level of trust is broken, it is not re-established. It obviously sets a lower bar of trust and reliability for the entire department. If this larger Fire District had reason to place Mr Kazian on administrative leave, why should Evergreen become the department of last resort to hire him? It is unlikely that he could be hired as a Chief anywhere near Denver Metro. It will always carry allegations and rumors which are not healthy to any operation.

How did this happen? It is alleged that the hiring committee at Evergreen Fire Rescue rejected Mr. Kazian 3 – 0. Then the District Chief Weege unilaterally made the hire. Again, this is contrary to the public interest. This also suggests that the District Chief lacks the critical judgment to represent the interests of the taxpayers.

Other community positions of trust – Sheriff’s Deputy – School Board – School Employee – School bus driver – Recreation Center Activity Groups – it is unlikely that Mr. Kazian would qualify for any of these positions based on the front page story of the Greeley Tribune.

Residents of the Evergreen Fire Protection District