Henry Clarke, pictured in 1949 with fellow volunteer firemen Virgil Campbell (left) and Jerry Renn, displays a new resuscitator in front of a 1937 Diamond T truck.
Fire commissioner resigns amid tumult; task force eyes open seat
By Oakley Brooks
Henry Clarke, a 74-year Saratoga resident who held several posts with the Saratoga Fire District, resigned as a commissioner on April 25.
Fellow Fire Commissioner Jay Geddis and Fire Chief Ernie Kraule said the resignation was not a surprise; Clarke had expressed his weariness at the deepening dispute over fire service in the city and had talked of quitting his position.
"It got to be too much political stuff going on," said Geddis.
Clarke, who recently turned 76, was out of town on April 25, when his resignation became official, and he could not be reached for comment.
His announcement marks the end of a 55-year tenure with the Saratoga Fire District. Clarke followed his father, Jack, into the volunteer fire service in 1946, after returning from World War II and going to work at Clark Co., in his father's maintenance company. He eventually progressed to chief, before earning a seat on the fire commission in 1970.
Clarke said, in prepared statement, that he will continue to assist the district as it works on its new fire facility.
The commission will accept applications for Clarke's position until May 9.
Firefighter and Citizen Task Force Chairman Dave Dolloff said several of his group members would likely submit their names to the commission for consideration, though, as of April 25, he wasn't sure exactly who was interested.
"It's in our long-term interests to have a diversified group on the commission," said Dolloff.
Geddis said he was not opposed to having task force members apply to the commission.
"We want to talk to them," he said.
Geddis was unsure about the timetable for appointment of a new commissioner beyond the May 9 deadline for applications.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
