Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Area officials take oaths of office

Nevada County has several newly-elected officials in key positions, including sheriff, county judge and circuit clerk. Nevada County Judge Baker Butler and Nevada County Sheriff Bobby Carlton were sworn in shortly after midnight on Jan. 1. Nevada County Circuit Clerk Rita Reyenga was sworn later that day.

Another newly-sworn official, Ninth Judicial District Circuit Judge Randy Wright, administered the oath of office to Nevada County Justices of the Peace Jan. 2, including two newly-elected JPs - Herbert Coleman and Mike Otwell.

As the officials took on the duties of their offices, there were some immediate changes. Carlton said he has installed several new dispatchers, has one open deputy job and some new faces in key positions.

Wayne Kissleburg will be the countys chief deputy, Carlton said. Mae McKinnon has taken over as chief jailer.

And Carlton has activated the auxiliary deputies, including David Crews as chief of that organization. The reserves had been disbanded under the administration of former sheriff Steve Otwell, but Carlton said those volunteers provide a valuable service that he believes should be utilized.

They work ball games, school traffic and vehicle check points, Carlton said. They provide the manpower to free up deputies to answer calls in the county.

Carlton said those auxiliary deputies have the power to arrest, making them an extension of the sheriffs office.

Judy Ferguson will remain as secretary, though Carlton said there are some changes in store with regard to the offices. Several of the sheriffs offices will be moved to the 911 building across the street from the sheriffs office in order to free up some space at the jail.

I feel it will provide a better environment for the public, Carlton said.

Training is already being scheduled for new personnel as well as some updated training for the existing employees, according to Carlton. He said the entire process is aimed at providing a better sheriffs department.

I think its going to have a level of professionalism that the public will be proud of, he said.

County Judge

Butler said he spent the first few days in office finding his way through the existing paperwork and getting established in his office.

One of the biggest changes hes made is to name Junior Hendrix as road foreman.

Hes a good man, Butler said.

He said maintenance on the courthouse and courthouse grounds will likely take lots of time and attention. He likened it to a homeowners list of chores, and said there is always something that needs to be done.

Butler said he is pleased with the makeup of the Nevada County Quorum Court and predicted that he would have a good working relationship with that group.

Naturally, the countys budget and fiscal situation is a concern, Butler said. The cost of maintaining and improving roads is directly related to the cost of fuel - and all those expenses have gone up.

We tried to budget for it, but you cant predict how high it will go, he said.