Webster County attorney, Jerry McDole, promised the Webster County Commissioners Tuesday that he would be retiring by June of this year.
The announcement from McDole came as the commissioners discussed his refusal to do his job. McDole has for several years refused to take any action to collect delinquent taxes. The Board is required to make sure delinquent taxes are foreclosed. When asked why he had not done this he said he just let it slip his mind. County Clerk Lonnie Knehans informed the board that they should take action to have McDole removed. It was then that McDole promised he would have a letter of resignation to the board sometime soon. The board then agreed to give McDole until the 20th of March to submit his letter of resignation.
When asked what kind of dollar amount was still delinquent in county taxes County Treasurer Lori Koertner said “it is a significant amount”.
Some people have in the past called attention to the fact that McDole has failed miserably to do his job in regards to criminal prosecution but many county residents felt that omission did not affect them personally. The lack of tax collection effect the workings of the whole county.
The agenda included an item to discuss the letter received by the commissioners from Andy Alber regarding an incident where he was attacked by Scott Kort. Alber was distressed over the lack of action taken by the Webster County Sherrifs department in regards to that incident. The Commissioners went into closed session and invited Webster County Sherrif Troy Schmitz to attend their closed session while they discussed the mattter. Andy Alber attended the meeting but was not allowed to attend the closed session where the County Commissioners discussed the letter which he had written to them. No action was taken.
The Comissioners also discussed with a number of local farmers a letter received by them from the County Highway superintendant, Linda Grummert, regarding the roads and the maintainance of roads and the county insurance regarding those roads. Some of the farmers felt the letter and her actions showed that Grummert lacked understanding of both her job and the appropriate and effective ways to interact with people. No action was taken.
2 comments:
The following is a list of responsibilities as listed on the Webster County web page. Is he really doing his job? What about apprehend criminals?
It is the duty of the sheriff to serve, execute and return writs or other legal process issued by a lawful authority. The sheriff shall prepare and file an annual inventory statement of county personal property in his or her custody. The sheriff has charge and custody of the jail and its prisoners, except in counties where a county board of corrections exists and has duties over the jail. It is the duty of the sheriff to keep the peace, apprehend criminals and perform other duties as peace officer. The sheriff may appoint deputies but such deputies may not be the county treasurer, clerk, register of deeds or surveyor
The county attorney has a duty to prosecute or defend all civil or criminal suits in which the state or county is a party or interested, on behalf of the state or county. The county attorney shall appear before any magistrate and conduct any criminal examination, prosecute all civil suits before any magistrate in which the state or county is a party or interested. When the county board or county officers request opinions or advice concerning duties of the offices or matters in which the state or county may have an interest, the county attorney shall give opinions or advice for no fee. The county attorney shall perform all duties enjoined by law upon the county coroner and shall be ex officio county coroner.
County Attorney
Jerry McDole
443 N Webster
Red Cloud, NE 68970
(402)746-2902
Fax: (402)746-3120
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