County board says ‘No’ to pistol-packing commissioner
From our weekly issue dated October 28, 2009
(From left) Commissioners Dwight Ellis, Sandi Cassanelli and Dave Toler at a recent meeting in the Josephine County Bldg. in Cave Junction. (Photo by Michelle Binker, I.V. News )
Fearing for her safety, Josephine County Commissioner Sandi Cassanelli has asked permission to carry a concealed weapon in the courthouse in Grants Pass, but fellow Commissioner Dave Toler is leery of the request.
The issue was raised during the county commission meeting with legal staff Thursday, Oct. 22 in Grants Pass.
Sheriff Gil Gilbertson stated that former commissioner Jim Raffenburg was able to carry a weapon in the courthouse because he was once a reserve deputy with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, and received special training.
Gilbertson said that becoming a reserve deputy requires nine months training.
“I can’t swear you in as a deputy,” Gilbertson said to Cassanelli.
Gilbertson also stated that he eventually rescinded Raffenburg’s position, which stripped the then-commissioner of his ability to be armed in the courthouse.
In explaining her reasoning, Cassanelli explained that her request was made out of concern for her safety. She said that her office is in “direct line of people coming in,” and added that she already has a concealed weapons permit.
“We’re not protected at all in this courtroom,” Cassanelli said. “We’re totally defenseless here.”
Gilbertson responded that the Grants Pass Dept. of Public Safety is responsible for responding to the courthouse in case of emergency.
Legal Counsel Steve Rich said that Judge Lindi Baker could approve Cassanelli’s request with a special order. But Commissioner Dave Toler, an Illinois Valley resident, said that he very much opposed to Cassanelli being able to carry a weapon.
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“I’m not going to feel particularly more safe, Sandi, if you have a gun,” Toler said. “I don’t know what your background is or what your professional capabilities are for protecting our staff.”
Rich said that the matter could be settled by contacting Baker and Kirk Brust, Trial Court administrator. Toler said that the county legal department works for the entire board of county commissioners, adding that he didn’t want the resources expended on Cassanelli’s behalf.
Cassanelli moved to direct legal counsel to ask Baker and Brust if she could carry a concealed weapon on the courthouse main floor. That motion was seconded by Chairman Dwight Ellis.
However, Toler questioned the board’s ability to vote on the motion, as it came under the portion of the agenda set aside for matters from commissioners. As such, Toler said, that particular item was not part of the meeting’s agenda that had been published for the public.
Ellis agreed that it should have been an agenda item, and withdrew his second of Cassanelli’s motion. He then agreed to put the matter on the agenda for the board’s Thursday, Oct. 29 meeting with its legal department. The original motion eventually was withdrawn by Cassanelli.
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