A special meeting of the Iroquois County Board 9-1-1 (Friday) seated Sheriff Derek Hagen as interim 911 Coordinator. Hagen will temporarily serve while the Emergency Telephone Service Board (ETSB) advertises for a permanent replacement of long-time coordinator Nita Dubble.
Dubble retired effective Friday.

Hagen told a limited number of ETSB board members despite the absence of Nita Dubble, emergency operations are in good hands. He complimented the experience of assistant 9-1-1 coordinator Sandy Drake and the experienced tele-communicators. Hagen said he’ll rely on their knowledge in maintaining a smooth transition.

There was question about whether the special meeting met quorum requirements, in that, just three of six members were present ? Two of the three voting on Hagen’s appointment are themselves new members of the 911 board, appointed just recently by County Board Chairman John Shure.

Joel Moore and Warren Weber, both active in fire and EMS, fill vacancies after sudden resignations from Ryan Brault and Vern Grohler. There is still one seat to fill on the 6-person board.

County board member Chad McGinnis questioned if the special meeting was legal in that, just three members were in attendance ? Despite the concern-raised, new board members Moore and Warren made the motions to appoint Hagen.
The meeting was chaired by Charlie Alt.

County Board member Sherry Johnson also pointed out, that had such a questionable meeting with lack of a quorum been called while former coordinator Dubble was serving, this same group of people would be throwing a fit, calling it illegal. Johnson said it’s more of the same, “you’re starting off on a bad foot.”

94.1 WGFA