Time to compromise
The Todd County Sheriff's deputies remain jobless as the sheriff and the fiscal court continue feuding over funding for the department.
OK, enough is enough. Sheriff W.D. "Billy" Stokes told the Standard that he will not take the state advancement -- a no interest loan from the state to help float sheriff's departments during the dry spell between tax collecting. Stokes told the Standard on Tuesday night that he is standing his ground on the subject of the advancement and will not back down.
On the other hand the fiscal court will not grant any of the sheriff's line item changes until he shows up at a meeting to ask the court for the funds. In the sheriff's budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year the court has the sheriff taking the state advancement. But, Stokes refuses to take the advancement (and yes, he is the only one who can sign the papers), saying that he cannot trust the court to repay the loan if something were to happen to him leaving his family responsible for paying back the $30,000.
My momma has always told me that every good relationship is based on compromise. While the court and sheriff obviously do not have anything resembling even a mediocre relationship, I think a compromise is called for.
Here is what I propose happen: Stokes take the advancement. In return for Stokes taking the advancement the fiscal court should publicly promise that if something were to happen to Stokes it would take care of the loan and not leave it to Stokes' family. Although, such a vow would be unnecessary; if Stokes were to take the advancement and something happened to him and the court refused to pay the advancement back the fiscal court would end up barbecued by the Standard. However, if it would make Stokes more comfortable the court could publicly promise to cover the loan or County Attorney Harold "Mac" Johns could draw up some fancy contract.
And, if Stokes were to take the advancement and somewhere down the line request a line item change, the court could grant it without Stokes' presence. As in most compromises not everyone gets their way 100 percent and not every one is tickled with the outcome. However, this is not about Stokes or the fiscal court. It's about the people of Todd County being without police protection. It's time that Stokes and the court swallow a little stubborn pride and give an inch in this game they've been playing. I, however, do think Stokes should put in an occasional appearance at the meetings. Not every department head attends every meeting, but once in awhile they make an appearance. Stokes could to; and if Stokes were to concede that then the court could concede something else.
Give and take. That's what compromise is all about and it's past time that Stokes and the fiscal court compromise.
Posted by Stephanie
posted by Administrator at
7:45 PM
7 Comments:
I am sick and tired of our Sheriff and his childish antics. This is the most immature run-around I have ever heard of.
How dare he jeopardize each citizens safety and sense of security by his foolish tirades.
Enough is enough Mr. Stokes and your 15 minutes of fame are over.
The answer to this is mess is plain and simple. Do the job you were elected to do or step aside.
A compromise is in order NOW.
I think the problem exists with are todd county,ky fiscal court and the todd county,ky judge executive and not with the todd county sheriff himself.It the responsibility of the official government of todd county,ky to properly fund and make sure are todd county,ky sheriff's department is correctly staff and operated.Are todd county,ky sheriff should not in any way be required to take out a loan , even if its from the state of kentucky.If anyone should be required to take out a loan or grant to fund the todd county,ky sheriff's department it should be the todd county,ky judge executive and the todd county,ky fisical court and not the todd county,ky sheriff.We need to remember that the todd county,ky sheriff is just a employer and worker for the government of todd county,ky and its not his job and responsibility to take out a loan and grant to fund his department of the todd county,ky sheriff's department , that the job and responsibility of the todd county,ky judge executive and the todd county,ky fisical court system.
Here's the thing: LOTS of sheriffs around the state take the advancement. Stokes is just being a baby.
A contract promising a compromise would be nice. That way if something does happen to Stokes, say, I don't know, being tased by a handicapped man, the court sits on the loan until tax collections come in.
Stokes is done anyway. No way he'll ever be re-elected. And he's only hurting the people of Todd County.
Notice how that huge factory didn't come? Notice how NO industry wants to come? Look at why....no one who moves here has any protection!
So W.D. Baby Stokes, on behalf of Todd County and everyone in it you lied to during the election, thanks so much for screwing us over until the next election.
When Arthur Green and the new court got elected, there was potential for the county to get on the track to progress.Thanks for knocking us back a few years!
Anonymous 10:25,
Things obiously aren't real clear to you. As the reporter stated " only Sheriff Stokes can sign the papers." Is that clear enough. The court, Judge, court Lawyer or any else CANNOT sign the papers and the COUNTY is responsible for the advance monet not Stokes. The only thing Stokes appears to be responsible for is causing friction with the court and embarrassing the people of Todd County. The county will never grow with all this childish behavior going on. Compromise and get this crap done so we can have what little protection Stokes and his cohorts offer and next election do the right thing and boot Stokes out and put in someone responsible that WILL represent the people of Todd County and not the drug dealers.
We need to remember that a worker and employee for todd county,ky government should not be the one that is responsible for the funding of the todd county,ky sheriff's department , that should very clearly be the responsibly of either the todd county,ky judge or the todd county,ky fisical court the official government of todd county,kentucky or a combination of both.It should not in any way be the responsibility of the todd county,ky sheriff to sign papers to take out a loan or grant to fund his department , unless the official government of the todd county,ky government guarantee that they the government of todd county,ky will be the ones that will be held responsible for the loan and grant and guarantee to re-pay the loan and or grant and not the personal responsibly of the person who is elected to the office of todd county,ky sheriff offices.
I understand the Fiscal Court's hesitation to give into Mr. Stokes demands. Once this issue is resolved, what will he come up with next? He will never stop acting like a child. What a disappointment.
This is a issue that the offical goverment of todd-county-ky needs to address so this issue will not happen again.The offical government of todd-county-ky is the one that needs to apply for this loan or grant , so they are the ones that are officially responsible to re-pay the loan or grant and not the sheriff or a employee or worker for todd-county-kentucky.
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