Chaffee's gains

Small towns in Southeast Missouri have had more than their share of problems with this police departments in recent years. But in Chaffee, Mo., it appears that several problems in that regard have either been resolved or the key players have agreed to disagree while continuing to put the best interests of the town ahead of personal feelings.

Chaffee's police chief for the past year, Jesse Chisum, has resigned from his post on a positive note. On a personal level, Chisum is pursuing specialized training at the Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences and hopes to graduate in two years. He said juggling his studies with being a full-time police chief wasn't fair to the city.

On a professional level, it looks as if Chisum has left the police department in good shape after a year of professional management and dealing with many of the problems within the department.

Chisum's relationship with city officials was not always smooth. Things came to a head in February when he clashed with Mayor Barbara Morhorc. But then the city had to deal with back-to-back disasters: February's ice storm and March's flooding. Chisum was instrumental dealing with the city's needs during those devastating days, and the mayor praised the police chief and the police department for their efforts.

Today is Chisum's last day as chief. Now Chaffee has an opportunity to build on the foundation he leaves behind.