A key position in the Labette County courthouse is vacant following the resignation of County Appraiser LeRoy Burk, effective July 31.
Burk handed commissioners Lonie Addis and Brian Kinzie his letter of resignation at Monday’s county commission meeting. It was accepted without discussion.
Burk handed a detailed letter to a member of the press before he left the commission room. In the letter he said he was retiring “due to constructive termination.” That reason was not in the letter he gave commissioners.
Several conflicts between the appraiser and the commissioners were cited in the letter, mostly in regard to the scope of his duties and his pay.
Burk served the county as appraiser for 11 years. He accepted the position in July of 1997. This position is appointed for a term of four years and the  salary is fixed by the state.
The county appraiser’s office is operated under guidelines provided by the Property Valuation Department in Topeka, however the appraiser is still an appointment employee of the commission.
Burk gave no indication of his future career plans.
IN OTHER MATTERS at Monday’s meeting:
• Mac Young gave the commissioners an update on the County Community Corrections Department. They signed three documents pertaining to state budgeting funds.
• Parsons Police Chief John Keele was given a congratulations greeting from the commissioners on his recent chief’s position. Keele, Labette County Sheriff William Blundell and 911 Dispatch Supervisor Brandy Grassl, explained the need for a 911 radio console at the Parsons Police Department.
Approval was given to purchase a computer, equipment and software for the Parsons Police Dept., in the amount of $53,179.15. They will send out lease purchase bids from a county lending institution for a three-year loan for 80 percent of the cost.         The other 20 percent will be taken out of the 911 fund now. The end of the lease will be in 2011. Deadline for the bid quote is Aug.15 at 5 p.m., Clerk’s Office. Quotes will be opened Aug. 18.
“This purchase will enable both cities to have the exact equipment and training in dispatching situation and it will be an added back-up to each other,” Commissioner Kinzie said.
“We have a good working relations between the City of Parsons and Labette County,” Commissioner Addis said.
“We had all this established back in 1994, but didn’t do it,” Sheriff Blundell said. “It will be great to have a live back-up,” he said.
• Sandy Krider, Road and Bridge Supervisor was given a signed contract commitment of county funds in the amount of $43,300 on bridge project #50C-4256-01. The funds will be taken out of special bridge. The contractor is J&J Contractors, Inc. of Iola. The bridge is located at 10,000 and Clay.
• Brandy Grassl will bring back more information on the county adding an emergency notification system at Thursday’s end of the month meeting. The contract needed clarification.
• Labette County Fair Board members: Jeff Falkenstien, Rod Landrum, Everett Becker and Rick McKinzie expressed appreciation to the county. President Falkenstien gave the commission an update on what the fair board accomplished last year and the benefit the new construction has helped the county.
Last year they hosted the 4-H and Livestock Show for Montgomery County, since their fairgrounds were severely damaged by flooding. “We were able to host it free, due to our facility,” Falkenstien said. “It was a tremendous  benefit, serving over 300 families to show their animals.”
The City of Oswego is a great help and also the Labette Corrections Conservation Camp during fair week.
The livestock sale is the greatest scholarship presence netting over $92,185 last year. It is very significant being able to host that for the kids, Falkenstien said.
New bleachers have been purchased from the fair board and the Parsons Community Foundation at a cost of over $14,500. More have been ordered for next year.
“Our long term goal is to move the arena to north and south and add permanent bleachers to that area. That way more activities can be held there, and doors of opportunity will be there,” Falkenstien said.
The fair board has spent over $4,000 on the hog and beef barns getting them back in shape. They have over 81 beef animals registered this year at the fair.
They have spent $3,500 on the beef barn roof to preserve it and make it last longer.
Commissioners commented that the late Commissioner Jerry Carson was a big believer in the county  youth. He was a great supporter. Brian Kinzie said Jerry believed that this was the best bang for the buck in the county.
Commissioner Addis said we spend over $100,000 in juvenile detention in the county and the 4-H groups help families keep involved together and therefore keeps a lot of them out of trouble. “It’s the interaction between parent and children and the county can be a small part of it,” he said. “I will always be strong to have support for it,” Addis said.
Rod Landrum said they plan on getting a plaque in memory of Jerry Carson and his support to the Labette County Fair. He also added that the fair couldn’t be what it is without the support of the county.
Rod concluded in his enthusiastic cheer: “Ready or not - we’re having a fair!”
The commissioners were invited to tour the fairgrounds on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
• Laura Moore was given approval on a pay request in the amount of $12,176.40 to S&S Lumber of Edna for Osage Township Fire Station project and $5,000 for cash on hand.
Others attending were: Lowell Scott, Rick  Hizey and Jack Martin.
Commissioners will meet this Thursday, July 31 for the end of the month meeting.