COMMISSIONERS APPROVE VEHICLE FOR CONSTABLE IN SPLIT VOTE
The Commissioners of Washington County voted to allow for the transfer of an unused Chevy Tahoe from the Sheriff's Office to the Constable of Precinct 3.
Commissioner Joy Fuchs made the motion contingent on a temporary trial period of six months, suggesting they see how the constable's performance responds.
Washington County Judge John Brieden suggested the timeline be moved to a year instead, as that would be a more feasible trial timeline.
Commissioner Kirk Hanath established he did not support the motion at all, as it would be a change to the constable's budget, and he firmly believed it did not follow proper procedure.
Hanath further defended his position that the court is in the budget season, and could change the Constable's budget to fit a vehicle.
While the other Commissioners voted yay, Hanath voted nay to the motion.
Hats off to Constable Blakey for wanting to progress instead of regress in his responsibilities. My thoughts are “Why is someone hampering his eagerness to do more instead of being thankful that he is wanting to expand his responsibilities.” Thank you Commissioners Fuchs, Hueske and Koester for voting as you did. You see something good coming out of this and I applaud you 3 for that.
Thanks be we have a single commissioner with a sense of right and wrong. Hope he considers running for county judge. The transparency problem would be solved and our Sheriffs Dept. would get more attention. Thank you commissioner Hannath.
Commissioner Hannath does not have the welfare of the citizens of Washington County in mind with his no vote. The vehicle being transferred has over a 100000 miles on it and has been retired from active patrol duties with the Sheriff’s Office. The only option for this vehicle is to sell it or transfer it to another department. By allowing the Constable’s office to hire a deputy and be given a patrol vehicle means there is another lawman patrolling Washington County that is available to answer calls and provide emergency help to members of the public. How is it not a good thing to give the deputy a used vehicle to use while on duty in Washington County. The Constable could have asked for a new vehicle (patrol Tahoe outfitted costs about $50000) but instead choose to ask for a used vehicle from the Sheriff’s Office which cost the county nothing. If anyone is being financially responsible it is the Constable by not asking for a new vehicle.