After reading the article concerning the contract proposal by the City to Sheriff Sheddrick, I am confused. In July 2003, the City was searching for a Police Officer. I wrote a public letter advising against it, stating you get what you pay for when you hire a small-town part-time cop. The City persisted and hired one in 2005. It was a dismal failure. A year ago, the City Marshall position was on the Spring ballot, so I ran. As a former State Patrolman and licensed police officer, I felt a civic duty to help our small community. There wasn't a salary, but since my taxes would pay me my own salary, it didn't make sense to be paid. In a meeting with the Board Of Alderman in March of last year, they voted unanimously not to endorse the Marshall Office. The voters subsequently elected an untrained, non-experienced, unlicensed write-in candidate. It was clear that the City and the Voters did not want any City Law Enforcement. The elected Marshall failed to become licensed within the 6-month requirement by state law, and forfeited his title. The City did not appoint an interim or place the position on the April ballot this year. Now, the City is flip-flopping back to wanting the Sheriff to fill the Marshall duties for pocket change , even after claiming it was too broke to spend a penny on the City Marshall. The Mayor told me the City didn't need any police, as the Sheriff was doing the job adequately, and the City had the handle on City Ordinance violations. No wonder the Sheriff refused the offer by the Mayor. The subject reverses with every change of the wind. The voters made it clear, everything is just fine, so don't waste the money. Who knows?
David Snow
Grant City
Editor's Note -- Tyler Hann stated that since his position is "Title Only" under Missouri law, he was not required to undergo the training specified under the law and thus still retains the position of City Marshall.
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