(Arnolds Park)– Another change in personnel in the Dickinson county Emergency Management Agency office.
At a meeting earlier this month, Kate Whitrock, the county’s Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator, requested some changes be made in the interim structure of the office. Whitrock formerly expressed her concerns in a letter the 9-1-1 and Emergency Management boards reviewed last evening in a closed session. After reconvening in open session, the board voted unanimously to interpret the communique as a letter of resignation. Whitrock, who was at the meeting, says the letter was intended only as a request for an unpaid leave of absence for as long as the interim structure is in place. She says the letter in no way mentions resigning. Commission members feel otherwise.
Whitrock also requested she be reimbursed for past wages and some bills. The board turned that issue over to Assistant County Attorney Lonnie Saunders, who promised to make a recommendation as soon as possible. With that, Whitrock left the meeting.
Sheriff Greg Baloun, who’s serving as 9-1-1/Emergency Management Coordinator on an interim basis, pleaded with the board for additional help…saying he’s overwhelmed with paperwork and other duties. The board approved a recommendation from Baloun to hire a person to help on an interim basis for 30 hours a week at 15 dollars an hour. The time is to be split evenly between emergency managment and 9-1-1. The board earlier this month approved the temporary hiring of Jerry Smith of Lake Park to assist in updating the 9-1-1 data base. Smith, a teacher, will continue to do that until school starts in a few weeks.
