The Southeast Ohio Regional Jail Board of Commissioners named the acting warden as the official warden and gave him fiscal responsibility of the jail at its meeting yesterday.
Jeremy Tolson has been acting warden since his predecessor, William Jeff Gillespie, was placed on administrative leave Jan. 31 and later resigned over allegations that he used his work computer to show pornographic material to a female jail employee.
Tolson's new financial responsibility includes reporting to the board. The fiscal director, Judy Laughlin, will report to Tolson instead of directly to the board, Tolson said. This was the policy in place before the former fiscal officer, Vickie Adams, resigned in October 2005 and pleaded guilty to unauthorized use of funds in February 2007.
He will continue to receive his $54,075 salary. His current salary is a $10,000 increase, upped at the April board meeting to match Gillespie's former salary.
Tolson has worked at the jail since it opened in 1998, serving as a corrections officer before becoming a sergeant and later a lieutenant. In 2001, he became the deputy warden, Tolson said.
Athens County Commissioner and board member Bill Theisen said there were no other candidates for the position, and that the board is very confident in Tolson's abilities.
He has done a fine job in the absence of various wardens
Theisen said.
Jill Thompson, Athens County Auditor and board member, said she is pleased with the decision based on Tolson's previous experience at the jail.
I think we're moving in a positive direction Thompson said.
The board also elected a new chair and vice chair, who will serve one-year terms. Board members voted for Morgan County Sheriff Tom Jenkins to replace Thompson as chair. Athens County Sheriff Vern Castle will serve as vice chair, and the board's secretary-treasurer Debbie Nelson will remain in that position.
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Stephanie Hummel
