Well, it turns out that there are 40 more folks in the Mica Kidd Island Fire District that want to take the district in a new direction than there are who think the district is headed in the right direction. This of course resulted in me being recalled as a Fire District Commissioner.

The recall ballot contained accusations that were proven false but I had no recourse since Idaho's Secretary of State maintains that accusations do not need to be substantiated or even true to be allowed on a recall ballot, according to state law. The petitioners just need to convince enough registered voters that the accusations are true. This is a matter for another discussion and something I will pursue in the future.

I cannot express in words the gratitude I feel toward the people of the district who support me. I am humbled beyond description. When I decided to run for commissioner, I was excited for the chance to serve my community. I gave 110 percent as I do all things in life.

There are a few positives in all of this. I think that the 484 voters that turned out to vote one way or the other on the recall ballot is a record for the Mica Kidd Island Fire District. I hope this means that the residents of the district are sitting up, taking notice and becoming involved. The turnout for my election in 2011 was significantly less and the commissioner for Sub District 3 has run unopposed since he was appointed by the governor in 2000, when we became a taxing district.

Community involvement is critical to a healthy district. In addition, I don't consider this a loss. I have my family and friends who are of paramount importance and no one can take that away from me. I also have a generous amount of support in the greater Coeur d'Alene area. I have also made many friends in the district in my three years serving as commissioner. And on a not so positive note, I've also lost some friends which hurts as much if not more than being recalled.

I fully support the current chief, Jason Blubaum, his staff and all of the volunteers who take their job as emergency responders very seriously. The many hours of training to which they commit are of the greatest value to our community. Remember, they are willing to risk their lives to save ours and those of our loved ones as well as our personal property in the case of an emergency with no compensation whatsoever. Training is what keeps them and us safe!

To all of those folks who voted against my recall, please accept my heartfelt thank you.

Be very wary of the wolves in sheep's clothing. There are people in the district who would like nothing more than to dismantle the Mica Kidd Island Fire Protection taxing district and return to the days of a fire association where one pays for the privilege of being protected. No pay, no protection. No training. No qualified leadership. All in the name of saving a few dollars in taxes. I even had one initiator of the recall, Greg Mills, state that he would let his house burn to the ground and didn't want our volunteer fire fighters on his property in case of an emergency.

This is a watershed moment in the life of our Fire District. It's your Fire District! Take an active role and ensure that you and your family will have adequate protection in the case of an emergency. You deserve it and you pay for it! Do not let a few people with an anti-government agenda highjack our district and send it back to the "bucket brigade."

With the support of my family, I will remain involved with the Mica Kidd Island Fire District, even though I will not become a volunteer fire fighter or EMT. There are many roles to fill. I still maintain that we can move into the future as a premier volunteer organization and I encourage the folks who initiated the recall to find a role with our district even if it's not as an emergency responder. Put your actions where your mouth is!

Chris Shelton is a Coeur d'Alene resident.