Responds To Charge By Pelligrini

I wish to respond to the article about John Pelligrini from Orange (Herald 6/1/06). He stated that the Town of Orange contract was lost due to non-response to com-plaints. As bookkeeper for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the person doing the billing for contract town, citizens should be made aware that complaints were answered as time and money allowed

The Town of Orange contract was for $6,000 per year at a rate of $24 per hour plus $.45 per mile traveled in that town. If you divide this amount by 52 weeks, approximately three hours per week could be spent in Orange. If anyone would like to come in and examine the records, I would be happy to go over them with you.

One has to wonder if taxpayer money is being used judiciously when the current contract is for $42 per hour, plus mileage. This is the rate quoted by the Vermont State Police when asked. If it were my selectboard spending money in this fashion, I would have serious questions.

I have worked with Captain Bohnyak for the past six years and have found him to be a very professional and understanding person. He is always willing to listen to both sides and is always fair when dealing with personnel problems or citizen complaints.

Orange County is lucky to have Captain Bohnyak securing grant monies for special DUI enforcement, SHARP, START, CDIP and the Click It or Ticket campaigns. Bill has spent many hours volunteering for the DARE Program as well as community events. I consider myself to be a better person for knowing him and he will definitely be my choice for Sheriff. Orange County needs a man of his caliber to run the Sheriff’s Department

Mr. Pelligrini also stated that he would get other towns under contract. There are currently 11 towns out of 17 under contract to the department. If a town does not wish to have patrols, it can’t be forced upon them. Some towns have their own police departments or full time constables, so do not feel the need to contract with the Sheriff’s Department.

Pat Nash

Brookfield

(Note: Both William Bohnyak and John Pelligrini are running for Orange County Sheriff and will oppose each other in the Republican primary

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