By Paul Garrod
Staff Writer
PAW PAW – Van Buren County Commissioners on June 28, approved a request from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office that would allow Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office deputies or command officers, upon full retirement, to have the option to purchase their department-issued firearm for the cost of replacement.
According to commissioners, when an officer retires, many times, they wish to purchase their issued firearm, a common request across the law enforcement community. The last two long-term employees, Dan Perkins and Robert Kirk, have each requested this.
Commissioners said the cost to sell the firearm to the employee would be at whatever the cost is to replace that firearm. The sale of the firearm would run through an independent FFL dealer and the employee would pay all fees associated with the sale.
Commissioners also approved a request for the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office to auction off property that has been abandoned or is county-owned and no longer needed, utilizing the auction platform, Biddergy.
Items to be auctioned: include:
One patrol car that is past its life expectancy and is not financially responsible for repairs.
Office furniture that cannot be repurposed by the county.
Many items in evidence that do not have an owner and require disposition.
In another area, Barry Anttila, David Mills, and Wayne Nelson were each appointed to the county Remonumentation Committee. There are no term expirations for this committee that meets on an as-needed basis. The request is to change committee seats as indicated:
Barry Anttila to replace Larry Hummel as the Road Commission representative.
David Mills to replace Barry Anttila as Alternate Road Commission representative.
Wayne Nelson to replace Peter Vandop.
Kirk Kruithof was also reappointed to the Public Transit Local Advisory Council and to change the term date from March 1 to July 1 to match the other member seat expiration dates. Kruithof’s term expired on March 1, 2022. However, all other seats on this board expire on July 1 and are four-year terms. The new requested term will be July 1, 2026.
Commissioners approved a request from the Van Buren County Youth Fair to use the paved parking lot adjacent to the fair, serving the Health and Human Services building and the former Health Department building during fair week, July 18, at 5:30 p.m. to July 23, at 11 p.m. The paved parking lot will only be used in the event of extremely wet ground conditions.
Commissioners also approved a request from Trinity Lutheran Church, Paw Paw, to use the parking lot at 801 Hazen St., Paw Paw, for a Paw Paw 5-K Costume Fun Run, Oct. 29, from 8 to 11:30 a.m.
The church is sponsoring the event and under the advice of the Sheriff’s Office, for safety purposes, wanted to follow the same route as the Wine & Harvest Festival 5-K run and use the parking lot for sign-in.