ALLEN, SCOTTSVILLE OFFICES DECLINE TO JOIN PROPOSED CROSS-COUNTY DRUG FORCE

A proposed multi-county drug task force will likely have to move forward
without two members. Allen County Sheriff's Office and the Scottsville
Police Department won't join the task force now, but could down the road,
said Allen County Judge-Executive Johnny Hobdy and Scottsville Mayor Rob Cline.

The city and county have enough problems to take care of before dedicating
man power to the task force, Cline said.

The sheriff's office is already understaffed, Hobdy said.

"Right now, we're not sure that's something we're going to be able to do,"
Hobdy said.

Logan County Fiscal Court has already approved county's sheriff's
department participation and the Russellville City Council will discuss it
at Tuesday night's meeting.

Officials from Russellville and Logan County will meet with Simpson County
Fiscal Court on Tuesday morning to discuss that county's involvement.
Franklin City Commission was also invited.

Simpson County Judge-Executive Jim Henderson said he is interested in
joining the task force.

"There's a tremendous problem with all types of drugs," Henderson said. "If
there a way to tackle that problem in a regional way that is cost
effective, I'd definitely support it."

Manpower could also be an issue with the Simpson County Sheriff's
Department, he said.

Franklin Mayor Jim Brown said the city can help monetarily, but probably
won't include an officer.

"We think it's a great idea and we hope it happens," Brown said. "We're
certainly not turning a deaf ear to the problem."

Butler County Judge-Executive Hugh Evans plans to discuss joining the task
force with that fiscal court at its Feb. 9 meeting.

The initial group studying the idea agreed on a Feb. 10 deadline to join
the task force so that a grant application can be completed.

Russellville Mayor Shirlee Yassney said drug dealers have hit Logan,
Simpson and Butler counties because they are in between other
multi-jurisdicational drug task forces headquartered in Warren County and
the Pennyrile region.

"They know there's not that much power looking for them," Yassney said.