Council To Announce Decision Next Month: Naylor May Again Have A Marshal

Ripley County Sheriff Rad Talburt presented a written proposal at the Feb. 5 meeting of the Naylor City council.

No one denies there is a need for law enforcement presence in Naylor, which has not had an assigned city marshal in more than a decade.

Since Talburt took office in January, the sheriff’s department has made one or two drug arrests each week.

“Most of those drug arrests have come out of Naylor and Oxly,” the sheriff advised the council.

Ironically, only two days later the Peoples Community Bank of Naylor was robbed. The suspect was later apprehended at his residence and is in jail. However, the question which begs to be answered is, “Might having a marshal on duty in town have been a deterrent?

It comes down to dollars and how best to spend them.

The sheriff stated that the city’s portion would be about $14,000 a year, which is half a deputy’s full time salary, paid at the current minimum wage rate of $13.75 an hour.

However, City Attorney Chris Miller pointed out that the city’s share could be offset by fines, if the deputy (deputies) who patrol Naylor also enforce city ordinances and issue citations.

Miller estimated, based on the population, that the city could possibly recoup upwards of $5,000 annually.

Also, there is a chance that the Naylor R-II board will follow Gatewood R-III’s lead, and agree to have a deputy spend part of the day on campus as an SRO (School Resource Officer).

Alderperson Jennifer McKinney asked, “Could the one full time officer not assume both roles?”

Talburt said, “Yes, that is a possibility.”

A shared arrangement between the county, city of Naylor and it’s school district could create a pool of money sufficient to hire a full-time marshal, which would be a win-win situation for the citizens of Naylor and also the school.

Talburt explained that the deputy (or deputies) assigned to Naylor would be employed by the sheriff’s department.

“We would provide a vehicle. Your officer would qualify for deputy’s supplemental pay and also the same fringe benefits paid by the county,” said Talburt.

In the weeks since taking office, the sheriff said he has directed his officers to increase patrol in Naylor as often as can be arranged, but especially during drop-off and pick-up times at Naylor R-II.

Deputies also have been present at several of Naylor’s home ball games and other school events.

Council members stated they have noticed not only deputies spending more time in Naylor but also troopers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Talburt said although his officers will continue to make regular, random patrols through Naylor, that is not a substitute for an assigned full-time law enforcement officer.

City aldermen and Mayor Ron Rupp all agreed; however, a decision will have to come down to what the council feels the budget can support and sustain.

The Mayor said the council will announce a decision at the March 5 meeting of the council.

Other reports were shared, as well.

Ronnie Young, waste/wastewater management director stated he has had to unclog three pumps, one of which had burned wiring and will have to be examined by an electrician.

Young said he has been working on a chlorine issue which originated in the county. “I’ve been working on our system today.” Young was excused from the meeting to return to the plant, as he was close to resolving the issue.

Jake Fisher, street supervisor, told the council February had been a busy month. It was also a costly month.

“I got the backhoe tires, as we discussed at the end of last year, which cost $1,538.64 for two rear tires and one front tire,” said Fisher.

The air compressor in the shop went out. He checked at five or six locations and was getting quotes in the $600 range for a replacement, then finally found one at Home Depot for $423.98. The unit he purchased is a Husky brand 175 psi, 2.5 hp with a cast iron motor, belt driven and oil-filled.

Fisher told the council the city truck is leaking coolant, and will need to be put in the shop to replace the thermostat housing.

Fisher went on to report that he has continued to work on pot holes, but has used up his supply of crushed asphalt. Unfortunately, he has only been able to find one source for cold patch material, at SEMO Stone in Cape Girardeau.

“They do have good, tacky blacktop coal mix for $115 per ton,” said Fisher. He proposed getting a dump truck load for $690; however, the city will need to hire someone to haul it, and “soon, before they run out.”

Fisher said in the meantime, he has had to use gravel for patching; however, that tends to “eat away” more of the original asphalt.

Naylor Fire Chief Donald McNabb responded to three calls: one lift assist in Naylor, a landing zone request by Medic One at the ball field for a gunshot victim, and a CO2 alarm going of on South Morgan Street.

The next meeting of the Naylor City Council will take place at 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 5.