Allen County Commissioner Jim Talkington said Tuesday he thought a “disinterested third party should look at” alleged drug tampering within the Emergency Medical Service.
The case is being investigated by the county’s sheriff department.
Ambulance Director Ryan Sell asked Sheriff Bryan Murphy on June 6 to investigate what appeared to be a mishandling of a low-level narcotic drug reported to him by EMS employees about 10 days earlier.
Alan Weber, county counselor, suggested letting “the investigation play out” and “if you’re not satisfied … then go further.” Weber also said with ambulance service provided by Iola, it was the city’s responsibility to deal with issues, including those to do with personnel. “They’re city employees.”
Commissioner Tom Williams agreed and repeated Weber’s additional statement that there is “no point in speculating.”
Talkington persisted: “We can call for an investigation,” which drew a curt response from Weber: “It’s being investigated.”
Williams said, “I think the sheriff’s office is perfectly capable” of handling the investigation, and “the city has internal policies” for looking into what occurs within its departments. Also, he said, an agent of the Board of Emergency Medical Services was expected to be in Iola soon.
Talkington stayed his course. “With a drug issue it’s incumbent for us to investigate” — which led to a sharp exchange between he and Williams.
“The sheriff’s office is doing it, and I have faith in their professionalism, as well as the city and state EMS,” Williams said.
Talkington replied, “I think the fire department (and ambulance service), police department and sheriff’s office are too close,” for an impartial and thorough investigation to occur.
“I don’t believe that,” Williams growled.
IN OTHER news:
— Mitch Garner, director of Public Works, explained a road maintenance schedule that included work on two smaller bridges. He said no major bridge project was anticipated because of revenue shortfalls in the Kansas Department of Transportation. County crews are upgrading the mile and a half of road leading from U.S. 54 to the landfill southeast of LaHarpe.
— Weber said he is working on an update of county codes having to do with renewable energy projects, primarily wind turbines. He said planners would meet in July or August to help prepare a document for commissioners to consider.
