A pipeline of drugs coming into Greene County has been closed, according to Greene County assistant county attorney Thomas Laehn.
Laehn made that announcement at the county supervisors’ Sept. 10 meeting. “I think we’ve really had success in the last couple of months closing off the pipeline of drugs into the county, largely because of successful search warrants that were executed by the sheriff’s office and the Jefferson police department,” Laehn said. “If we can cut off that pipeline we’re going to substantially reduce crime in the county. So much of the crime in this county is rooted in drugs. I want to commend our law enforcement officers for the work they’ve done the past couple of months.”
Supervisor Tom Contner said Laehn should also be commended. “My success is based solely on what law enforcement does,” Laehn answered. “I can’t do it without their investigation and the evidence. They make it easy for me.”
Laehn also told the supervisors that a report on a risk assessment of the courthouse done during the summer will be completed soon. Laehn said the consultant’s recommendations will include moving magistrate court from the first floor to the third floor. He suggested that be part of planning for upcoming work on the HVAC system at the courthouse.
He also lobbied again for hiring a new assistant county attorney before the end of the year. Laehn is running unopposed for the county attorney position Nicola Martino has held for 42 years. Martino will retire at the end of the year.
Laehn recommended during the summer the assistant position be filled as a part-time position, and that the new attorney be in place before Martino leaves. He said he’s had “three or four” people express interest in the position. There is typically an increase in new criminal cases at the first of the year, and Martino wants the new attorney transitioned in before his retirement, Laehn told the supervisors.
The supervisors didn’t oppose starting a search soon. When Laehn first mentioned the timeline for hiring a new assistant, the consensus of the board was that he should wait until after the first of the year.
