BRIEDEN: DECISION NOT YET MADE ON PRECINCT-3 JP POSITION

  

Washington County Judge John Brieden says a decision has not yet been made to fill the Precinct-3 Justice of the Peace post, left vacant with the recent death of Judge Roy May.

Brieden says the three other Washington County J.P.’s are currently chipping in to cover the duties of the office.

Retired Marine Corp. Captain Ken Tofel is slated to take office on January first after he was elected to the post.

Brieden says it is possible Tofel could be sworn in December first – a month ahead of schedule.  However, Tofel would be attending a week of training in December and with the holidays he’d only actually be in office a handful of days.

Brieden says a decision should be made quickly on whether Tofel will be sworn in a month early, but says officials are still weighing the pros and cons of the move, and stressed that a decision "has not yet been made".