In a controversial move by the Island County Board of Commissioners, Paula Spina was relived of her position on the Historical Review Committee and replaced by Tom Tack in a unanimous vote during Monday’s commissioner meeting.

Tack will take the place of Spina, who was appointed to the position earlier this year to replace Terry LeDesky, who left to pursue other interests. LeDesky’s four-year term expired in mid-August. Instead of reappointing Spina, the commissioners sought another person for the position despite the committee’s unanimous vote to keep Spina on the committee.

HRC Chairman James Moore sent a letter to the commissioners in August to notify them of the committee’s vote to keep Spina, and isn’t happy with the way the county commissioners handled the situation.

“I wish that the county had gotten a judicial ruling to clear up this matter for evermore,” he said. “It’s questionable, even arguable, whether the county commissioners have the authority to appoint anyone for a term less than four years.”

The ordinance that explains the proper protocol for appointing a new person to the HRC position lacks specifics and is unclear, Moore said,

“There’s a legitimate argument on both sides,” he said.

In light of the committee’s Monday vote, Moore said, their decision seems to be politically motivated. In the past, the committee has always renewed these positions, he said.

“But clearly they did not (re-appoint Spina) for political reasons.”

Political sparks began to fly after Spina organized a rally at the Crockett Barn with the purpose of drawing attention to problems surrounding the Jefferds building permit for a 5,000 square-foot “McMansion” on Ebey’s Prairie. Approximately 120 people attended, said Moore.

“The rally put the light of day on the issue and she did a darn good job of it,” he said. “She’s a very passionate woman.”

Moore suspects that the conflict is not over.

“Now they’re leaving it to Paula to contest it, which I suspect she is,” he said.

And the issue remains: Can the county commissioners appoint a new person to Spina’s position, which ended on Aug. 13?

According to Spina, a retired lawyer, the committee cannot yet appoint another person to the position.

“There is a dispute as to when my term is over, a term of four years, which has not expired,” Spina said at the Island County Board of Commissioners meeting Monday.

“What you’re attempting today is illegal,” she said, citing ordinance 17.04.040, subsection C.

Despite Spina’s warning during the public comment period of the meeting, the commissioners voted to appoint Tom Tack to fill Spina’s former position with the Historical Review Committee.

Following the vote, Commissioner John Dean, the only Democrat on the three-man panel, encouraged Spina to remain active with the HRC.

“I respect you. I hope you can channel all your passion positively,” he said. “My goal for inviting Tom Tack to take your place is an effort to move forward in a more positive vein.”

Commissioner Mac McDowell maintained the vote was simply to fill an expired term position with the HRC.

“I agree that you have passion, but I respectfully disagree with your position,” he said to Spina after the vote, which was also endorsed by Commissioner Phil Bakke.

Spina made a short statement following the vote, which officially relieved her of the HRC position.

“My big concern in this process … is whether the rule of law is applied. You, gentlemen, did not have the power to do that,” she said of the commissioners’ decision to move forward with a vote without seeking legal counsel.

“I’m passionate. I’m tenacious. But I’m a firm believer in the law,” she said. “I’m afraid we aren’t following Island County ordinance 17 right now.”

Although there is a precedent for the commissioners to reappoint a current HRC member, Dean decided to appoint a fresh face because Spina had become such an adversary of the county, he said.

“Her mood struck me as so negative and cynical of county government,” he said. “Conflict played into my reason. I think we can proceed better if we weren’t in an adversarial position.”

“When you’re on an advisory group, you need to be a team member and work together positively. Some people just like to fight, but we need to be working together,” he said. “She kind of brought this on herself.”

Commissioner McDowell explained that once the HRC noticed a mistake with the Jefferds permit, it was too late to change, and that it was Spina’s response to the county’s management of the debacle that spurred him to look for a new appointee.

“After this all blew up and 21 days had expired, Paula continued to say it should be challenged,” he said. “Here’s someone who represents the county as a volunteer and is not willing to abide by the county prosecutor’s opinion on legal matters.”

There are more volunteers that are willing to accept the prosecutor’s decisions, said McDowell.

“Tom will be a great addition,” he said. McDowell suggested Tack for the position and said he is well-qualified to serve on the HRC.

Tack, who will replace Spina, lives with his family in a 134-year-old home in Coupeville.

“We have a strong interest in preserving and protecting the living landscape of the reserve,” he told the News-Times. “I will personally, gladly donate my time in this effort and look forward to working with James Moore and the other members of the HRC.”

“He’s a born leader,” Commissioner Dean said, adding that Tack understands the importance of the position and how to preserve and improve the area.

“He’s the kind of guy that can do that,” he said.

Moore said the issue has nothing to do with Tack.

“He will be a delightful man to work with and a welcome addition to the HRC.”