Brown Co. citizens circulating petition protesting Sheriff's dept. cuts

Last week Sheriff Dwayne Wenninger announced that budget cuts by the commissioners were forcing him to lay off 10 people from his staff and trim back the jail population. Wenninger said some 20 felons could be released from the Brown County jail because of the cuts.

According to the (Brown County) News Democrat, citizens are concerned.

The newspaper reported this week that Wanda Back, of Mt. Orab, who has filed a petition against the budget cuts imposed by the commissioners saying she is concerned for her fellow residents of Brown County.

Back has drawn up a petition that states "As citizens of Brown County, we stand against the extreme budget cuts that the commissioners have invoked against the Sheriff's department which directly affects our safety."

Back told the News Democrat she has had a lot of positive feedback concerning the petition. Petitions have been dropped off all around the county at various places.

Back has also begun to picket the commissioners' meetings.

"We will picket every regular session that the commissioners have as long as it is necessary," said Back told the News Democrat. "It's nothing personal – I feel they are making poor judgments with the cuts."

Back told the newspaper the commissioners are the spokesperson for the county and they are making cuts in the wrong department.

"My petition and picketing might not do any good but at least I know I am out there trying to do something," Back is quoted as saying.

Sheriff Wenninger is a strong supporter of Ohio concealed carry. After passage of the law last year, Wenninger told newspapers "I see no problem with the new upcoming carry-and-conceal law. It is a proven fact that crime rates have dropped in other states that have adopted a similar law."

If you would like more information on the petition or would like to speak with Back, call her at (937) 444-2503.

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The American Legion Post 180 in Georgetown, was broken into
in late November. The thieves stole and broke into a safe which held money
and six M-1 Grand Rifles. The rifles were mainly used for ceremonial
purposes. Two Springfield Arms chrome plated rifles and a Winchester rifle
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Investigators believe the intent was to sell the guns.