HARDIN CO.—As reported last week, it’s official now: Joyce Cullison is the new Hardin County sheriff, Melissa Presser is the new interim Hardin County prosecutor.
And a portion of the board is fuming, because that’s not quite the way they wanted it to go.
According to our Hardin sources, here’s the deal: Everyone’s behind Joyce. She is super-capable as regards the sheriff’s office, and everyone with whom we’ve spoken has to a one voiced the desire to see her run again this fall. Joyce is the widow of the late sheriff Lloyd Smokey Cullison, who died amonth ago, while in office as sheriff. Joyce was a natural for the position, and by and large, Hardin is elated overthe choice (especially now that Roger Little is no longer sheriff…but I digress).
Wayne Eichorn, Hardin County board president
What the problem is, is that board president Wayne Eichorn went against the board’s wishes and put in to office one Melissa Presser, who is seeking the prosecutor’s office in neighboring Pope County. Reports are that Ms. Presser will be a very capable state’s attorney. There are two problems, however: one is that she’s reportedly five months pregnant, and the other is that the Democrat Party (of which Eichorn is a part) wanted their candidate-elect, Daniel Cockrum of Benton, placed as interim prosecutor (their duly-elected prosecutor, Roger Ralph, just up and didn’t show up for work a couple of weeks ago…about three days after we put out a podcast suggesting that someone might want to advise him to run—away—before he’s indicted for something. Funny how these things happen after podcasts, idk…..)
So we’re hearing of a reported compromise.
Which is: Missy will be prosecutor until she has her babe. Then—while still collecting the prosecutor’s check, which we hear is approaching $135,000 annually these days (over $2,600 a WEEK), when she goes on maternity leave, lil Mr. Cockrum will then be installed as prosecutor. At which time Hardin will be supporting two prosecutors….because you can’t let one go just because she had a baby. For those who are products of the Hardin County school system, that’s $5,200 a WEEK.
This, of course, will give the Dem’s candidate an edge in November, when he goes up against local gal Tara Wallace. He’ll prosecute the hell out of people in order to get the job, then pull back—just like every other prosecutor they’ve had for decades—when he gets in office.
Hey, it’s Hardin County. Home of the crooked and corrupt. Don’t blame me; I didn’t elect em, I just write about em when they get elected. So choose wisely this fall, Hardin…because your tax bill depends on it.