Kris Miller
Hiawatha World
More discussion about security took place during Monday’s Brown County meeting.
Former Brown County district and chief judge Jim Patton was present for the public comment portion of the meeting and cited his 28 years as a district judge and over 20 years as a chief judge to speak in favor of retaining security at the courthouse’s front door, especially regarding people who come in with a hostile attitude. Patton also brought up the current rhetoric being used in the United States, with many individuals having a “I hate you, you hate me” mentality and believing that they have many reasons to strike out, especially in the courthouse setting. The former judge also said that the offices that take money and hold records need protection in case anyone wanted to steal the money and destroy records; he ultimately argued that security was needed for the courthouse’s patrons and employees.
“I urge you to keep this,” Patton said.
Fairview resident Chris Kroll also spoke with the commission about the courthouse’s security. He stated that the government should not be in charge of security. Kroll added that even though Patton raised some good points, he also stated that many issues that Patton brought up could be solved by a “good guy with a gun.” Kroll pointed out that that there were some people who did not pass through the security checkpoint’s metal detector and requested those who did not come through the metal detector to raise their hands; Commissioners Richard Lehmkuhl and William Pollock were among those who raised their hands, as well as Kris Miller of the Hiawatha World who has been allowed through without the metal detector due to being a member of the press to report on Brown County commission meetings; Kroll commented that those who raised their hands were reluctant to admit coming into the building without going through the metal detector.
“No one’s ever heard of a disgruntled worker, I believe,” Kroll said. “Those happen all the time just the same as disgruntled anyone. I noticed when I’ve been in here in the past that the post office, they have no trouble getting in with their big old bag. Who knows what they could have brought in? This morning, with me coming here, I could have had a 3D printed gun in my waistband. Never would have known it.”
Kroll said that security at the courthouse is “weak” and not going to stop anyone wishing to do harm. He said that he and Brown County John Merchant spoke with each other and said training needed to be improved. He also remarked that one time, the lock box at the courthouse that was used to hold weapons broke and that it was never designed to hold weapons.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve been here to talk about this, “Kroll said, regarding the courthouse security. “I hope it’s the last.”
Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development Director Mikaela Moore also met with the commissioners on Monday to discuss the Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) program–which is through the State of Kansas Department of Commerce–which is an incentive for rural counties in Kansas to recruit college graduates in the area to live and also serves as reimbursement for student loan payments for residents who live in Brown County; if approved, these residents receive $1,500 through HFED, while the county does not pay any money. Moore requested a resolution for renewal to the state to have on record so HFED can continue sponsoring the program. All commissioners voted to approve the resolution.
Other items of discussion
• All three commissioners voted to reject the bids for landfill building construction, in order to lower costs and that one of the buildings was in too much disrepair.
• All three commissioners voted to allow Pounds review a spec sheet for the landfill.
• All three commissioners voted to approve a local disaster emergency proclamation for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for funding aid for winter weather snow removal for emergency scenarios.
• All three commissioners voted in favor of hiring Galva-based Loyd Group to audit Brown County’s budget.
