Published: July 30, 2008 11:44 am      

Search for VSO over; burn ban still in effect

Johnson County Commissioners interviewed three candidates for the county’s veteran services officer position Monday and reached a decision late Tuesday.

The former VSO, Russell Moore, resigned in February. Commissioners appointed Paul DeVault to fill the position on a temporary and volunteer basis Feb. 29. DeVault agreed to man the position while commissioners searched for a permanent replacement.

Commissioners interviewed Kathryn Fasci, Eddie Kirkpatrick and Robert Stafford for the position Monday.

Commissioners chose Kathryn Fasci, Commissioner John Matthews said. Details about Fasci were not immediately available.

“DeVault and [VSO assistant] Chuck Beerstecher, have done a great job, but we need to get that position permanently filled,” Commissioner R.C. McFall said.

Commissioners conducted the interviews in executive session during Monday’s meeting.

Citing dry weather and conditions, commissioners agreed to leave the burn ban in effect. The ban prohibits outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of the county. Commissioners imposed the ban July 14. It remains in effect until Oct. 13 unless they vote to lift it.

Commissioners indicated approval for a request to install a walk-through scanner in the Alvarado subcourthouse. Because the item appeared on the workshop, not the regular meeting, agenda, commissioners cannot formally vote on the request until the next meeting.

Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Judge Pat Jacobs requested the scanner. The scanner will not be placed in the subcourthouse’s entrance, she said. Instead it will be placed in the entrance of her courtroom. No additional staff will be required, Jacobs said, because the bailiff assigned to her court will be able to monitor people passing through the scanner.

Citations fees will pay for the scanner, which costs about $4,500, she said.

“There’s a $4 fee on each citation that goes toward building security,” Jacobs said. “Of that, $3 goes to the Guinn and $1 to the subcourthouse it came from.”

The JP 3 fund totals $7,243, Jacobs said.

County Judge Roger Harmon asked that the request be placed on the agenda for the next commissioners court meeting for a vote.

He also suggested the three other justice of the peace judges be notified to see if they had any courtroom security needs that could be supplied by that fund.