For J.J. Wilbur and Skagit County Fire District 13, what is old is new again.

Wilbur was appointed to the fire district panel May 12 after a four-month hiatus. He had served as a commission appointee through 2021 but was ineligible to stand for the seat during last year’s election because he was also on the ballot for a La Conner school board position.

Veteran firefighter Bobbie Scopa ran unopposed for the open seat.

But Scopa resigned as a fire commissioner last winter, due to moving to Arizona.

That opened the door for Wilbur – who is also vice-chair of the Swinomish Tribal Senate...