Kim Johns found out that (then) Fire Lieutenant Randy Peterson thought that it would be a "Marvelous joke" on the people at the Marine Academy.  He not only was responsible for the  sabotage, but he managed to get some other people to help him.  This was supposed to be an elaborate practical joke.  One might question the "practicality" of a joke that involves putting life saving equipment out of service.

Kim Johns found out about this "Joke" and reported it to Fire Chief Dunkel.  The Chief told Johns that he would "handle it".

At that time Randy Peterson was St. Helens City Council President, and many thought that he was heir apparent to the throne of Mayor of St. Helens.

In St. Helens, friendship is paramount.  Randy had friends, not just in the Fire Department, but also among members of the Fire Districts elected Board of Directors.

His sabotage of life saving equipment was handled very well.  Instead of disciplining him; the Chief promoted him to Captain.

Kim Johns was appalled.  He resigned from the Academy. Kim was the "lifeblood" of the Academy and his resignation brought the operation of the Marine/Rescue Academy to an end.  Kim and Chief Dunkel reached an understanding (of sorts).  He promised the Chief that he would keep quiet, but only as long as Randy did not seek higher office.

Last year two things happened.  Randy Peterson became Mayor, and a lady died in the water.  Some seemed to think that she died because the Fire District no longer had a Marine Response.

Kim Johns could stand it no longer.  He severed all ties with the District and decided to "go public" with what happened.

Too late, too bad, it's old news, so sad.  None of the local newspapers wanted to touch the story.  Their comment was that this happened in 1998, it's old news.

Is this really old news?  Randy Peterson is now Mayor of St. Helens.  Our Fire District, the Columbia River Fire and Rescue, has just been expanded to included Rainier.  They can now boast to having not only one of the largest stretches of river of any District along the Columbia, but also one of the highest property tax assessments of any Fire District in the State.

Diving medicine, diving training, now all a thing of the past.  The Academy is no more and no more will the boating public enjoy the safety of a marine rescue response.

Johns does not want to see things quietly hidden away, and wants to see an investigation opened.  He tried to inquire under the Oregon Public Records Act to see if any adverse action had ever been taken.  He was told that no "written records relating to your request  were maintained.

"Can you imagine that?" said Johns.  "They destroyed the records."

Kim Johns is a man with the tenacity of a bull dog.  He is not a quitter, but he is sick of Columbia County and St. Helens politics. 

"I liked it here, but I am not happy with what has happened.  I don't like the good old boy system, and frankly I think I can do better elsewhere."   

Kim is a business man.  He has a good business, and many people still do appreciate him and what he has accomplished for himself, The Fire District, and for the community in general.  Kim now plans to move his business to Tillamook County. 

I asked him why he wanted to move.  His response was. "Three Reasons:
1.   Randy Peterson
2.   The Fire District ignoring safety and promoting Randy   
3.   Local Politics.  In St. Helens, friendship is more important than public safety.  Friends take care of friends, and the end is a system that is totally corrupt.

Kim Johns told me that he does not forget.   He would also like his detractors to know this about him as well.