Constables ask fiscal court for blue lights

Clark County’s constables are asking county officials for permission to have blue lights on their vehicles.

Shelby Lynn Toler, constable for district 3, made the request on behalf of the county’s six constables during Thursday’s Clark County Fiscal Court meeting.

“We want to be seen and protected with emergency equipment,” Toler said, referring to blue emergency lights reserved for law enforcement personnel in Kentucky. He said they would help when constables are performing traffic control or other duties.

Constables are elected to their position and have full law enforcement authority, but do not have to complete the Department of Criminal Justice Training’s police academy program. The position is not paid, but constables collect fees for serving court documents and other duties.

County governments decides whether constables can have emergency lights on their vehicles or not.

Toler said the Clark County Constable Association has purchased or leased four official vehicles, and the request was to equip those vehicles.

Toler said the constables pursue training on their own and through the Kentucky Constable Association.

Historically, Clark County’s constables have not had blue lights on their vehicles. In 2011, second-district constable Danny Hunt made a similar request of the court. Hunt resigned from office shortly afterward, citing health reasons.

The court took no action Thursday evening.

In other action, the court:

— approved a resolution to execute an agreement with the Kentucky Transportation for rural secondary program funds.

— set a fee for driveway culvert installation at $400.

— approved a change of Calvin Parker from volunteer firefighter to firefighter III.

— approved the promotion of Nathan Whitaker from captain to battalion chief at the Clark County Fire Department.

— hired Trevor Holliday as a full-time firefighter.

— hired Michael Edwards as an animal control officer.

— hired Cheyenne Hodge as a kennel attendant at the Clark County Animal Shelter.

— reappointed Zeldon Angel to the Winchester-Clark County Board of Adjustments.

— accepted the bid from Steve’s Tower Service to repair a radio tower on Kentucky 89. The project will be reimbursed with federal funds.

— opened the application period for the Clark County Community Foundation funds.

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