Sangerville

Sheriff’s Office Lt. Kane to work for MDEA

DOVER-FOXCROFT — For the next two years Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Jamie Kane will be working for the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency in the region, Sheriff Bob Young told the Piscataquis County Commissioners during an Aug. 3 meeting.

Young said the MDEA has 32 agents across the state, many of whom are assigned to the organization by other law enforcement agencies. He said the MDEA asked if Kane could work for them — still being based out of the sheriff’s department patrol and investigations building in downtown Guilford — and Young said he has recommended Kane for a two-year term.

“He is still our employee. If we need him, we can pull him back,” Young said, mentioning examples such as a major crime and to help cover vacations. Young and Chief Deputy Todd Lyford will handle Kane’s administrative duties.

“The reason is there’s a number of cases that we don’t want to lose,” the sheriff said, as Kane is in the midst of these drug investigations. “It’s hard to lose Jamie but when he comes back he will be a much more experienced officer.”

“They [MDEA] provide everything, the vehicle, expenses, it literally will not cost the county anything,” Young said.

“Somehow we really want to make a dent in the trafficking side of this equation and we think this will really help,” he added.

Young also said he has been looking into the possibility of the sheriff’s office handling security for the courthouse, as was done before the state took over in the 1990s.

“Now the state is in a bind. This causes the court to be closed for a time due to a lack of judicial marshals,” Young said. He said he spoke with District Court Judge Kevin Stitham and no problems are foreseen should the sheriff’s office take over court security duties, which Young said is being done by two other Maine sheriff’s departments.

“It’s going to be a process,” the sheriff said. “It’s a work in progress and when I find out I will let you know more.”

Piscataquis County District Attorney’s Office Office Manager Corina Rackliff said the court was recently closed to the public due to a lack of marshals.

Following a public hearing on the Blanchard Road in Shirley, the commissioners opted to table any action on their behalf. They may review the situation following an upcoming special town meeting vote in the community.

Via a special town meeting earlier this year, residents voted to discontinue winter maintenance on the travelway, which has a long-time year-round resident. Another family with a school-age child has recently moved to the Blanchard Road. 

Per the commissioners’ recommendation, Shirley will likely have another special town meeting on the road to help determine what portions may be plowed and/or answer other maintenance questions. The Shirley Board of Selectmen will discuss it at its Wednesday, Aug. 11, meeting.

In his report, County Manager Michael Williams said, “Next week we have interviews for the EMA director to replace Tom’s position.”

Former Piscataquis County Emergency Agency Director Tom Capraro retired at the end of July following nearly 14 years with the agency. Deputy Director Debra Hamlin is serving as interim director.

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