KSWO, Lawton, OK- Wichita Falls, TX: News, Weather, Sports. ABC, 24/7, Telemundo - Commissioners field questions about last week's turmoil

Commissioners field questions about last week's turmoil

LAWTON, Okla. – Tension mounted at Tuesday morning's Comanche County Board of Commissioners meeting, with some members of the public in attendance, concerned over last week's sudden resignations of Central District Commissioner Ron Kirby and his assistant Lori Kerbo.

The two remaining commissioners, Gail Turner and Don Hawthorne, said they understood the concerns, but also said that things were under control.

7News found out that the board voted to terminate what they called the "unfunded" position of Kerbo.  Members also granted Turner the authority to oversee most of the responsibilities in the central district.

The public there today at the meeting brought up two points.  One, why did Kirby have to answer to the excise board about why he chose to hire an assistant? And two, would the new central district commissioner be allowed to hire another assistant?  Both questions were fielded by the commissioners and attorney Jerry Cude.

"We're used to dealing with feelings and emotions that people have.  And we try to make them understand why we do the things that we do.  Sometimes it's easy to see one side of the story until you see the other side of the story," said Turner.

Turner says right now there is a two-man board of commissioners until a successor is chosen during the November elections.  7News asked Turner what would happen in the meantime if he and Hawthorne disagree on an issue.

"I feel very confident that we can work a solution out between me and Mr. Hawthorne.  He has been very reasonable to work with.  He's a very capable guy," said Turner.

"Well, there could be an issue that we disagree on and I guess it would just be tabled," said Hawthorne.

Turner says that although he and Hawthorne now will share central district responsibilities, he will handle the day-to-day responsibilities.

"What I will do is sit on the ASCOG board that Commissioner Kirby sat on.  I'll do that.  Then, I will serve on the legislative committee of ASCOG that Mr. Kirby sat on," said Turner.

Turner and Hawthorne say they want to ensure the community that despite the recent drama, business will go on.

"The law says that we are commissioners of the county, not a district.  We [are] responsible for the county.  So, we'll make sure that the county business goes on," said Hawthorne.

"I feel comfortable that everything will be very smooth and very transitional because we have a very good staff that has been here a very long time and have a lot of experience with everything we have to deal with," said Turner.

During the meeting, county attorney Jerry Cude said that the new commissioner would be able to appoint another first deputy.  He said the problem with Kirby's hiring an assistant was that he had created a position.

Kerbo told 7News today that she was forced to resign last week.  She also said that since the new commissioner will be able to hire another assistant, it just proves that Kirby's reasons for hiring her, an increase in workload, were valid.