Chaffee mayor appoints 3 to police board

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- The Chaffee Police Personnel Board can now perform its duties again following Monday night's meeting of the Chaffee City Council.

Mayor Loretta Mohorc appointed three people to the four-member board Monday. An appointment of the board's fourth and final member is in the works, Mohorc said.

The city council approved 6 to 0 the appointments of Donnie Kiefer, Loretta Below and Sue Sheffer.

As members of the board, they'll be responsible for oversight of policies and personnel within the police department. One of the board's primary duties is to make recommendations on hiring and firing to the city council.

The board was left with no members after David Ivester, Sally Wehmeyer and Mert Mirly resigned in mid-October, citing differences with police chief Jesse Chisum. Chisum was hired by a council vote during open session Aug. 20 to replace Martin Keys. Ivester presented the recommendation to hire Chisum to the council himself -- a recommendation made by the police personnel board.

The board's fourth member, Jimmy Stubbs, was relieved of his position for health reasons.

Kiefer, president of the Chaffee school board and a former candidate for the 160th district state representative's seat, declined to comment on the past board's controversy and said it was "an honor and a privelege to be asked" to serve on the board.

Sheffer said she's not concerned with the recent controversy over the conflict between the former board members and Chisum. "The past is behind us," said Sheffer, who said she has a degree in criminal justice and formerly ran a private investigation firm.

Below was not available for comment following the meeting.

The city council also accepted the resignations of two reserve police officers. The two were deputies with the Scott County Sheriff's Department, helping out while the police department was short on staff. Their services were no longer needed, Mohorc said.

Mohorc said the deputies' help was greatly appreciated while the city looked for new hires.

msanders@semissourian.com

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