Antelope County sheriff resigns as volunteer emergency manager

Antelope County Sheriff Robert Moore will no longer serve as the county's emergency manager.

In a letter addressed to the Antelope County clerk, Moore said he felt he could no longer work under the "current conditions and feelings of the commissioners."

The letter was dated May 7, two days after a meeting when two commissioners found fault with the manner a refrigerated semi-trailer was purchased to serve as a makeshift morgue for a worst-case scenario, when deaths from COVID-19 may exceed local mortuary capability - a joint decision by Moore and commissioner chair Charlie Henery. Henery said he and Moore chose to not notify the other commissioners, to prevent public panic.

Henery called for executive session midway through the May 11 meeting of the commissioners in the courthouse meeting room at Neligh.

"I feel like we need to go into executive session to talk about some personnel matters," he said, without further explanation.

Commissioner Eli Jacob's motion carried unanimously. After the doors were opened a half-hour later, Henery asked for a motion to exit executive session. Jacob's motion again carried unanimously.

Without further statement about the closed session, Henery asked county attorney Joe Abler to read the letter. No official action was taken by commissioners.

Antelope County is yoked with Region 11 Emergency Management Agency in Norfolk, through interlocal agreement with Pierce and Madison counties and the city of Norfolk. Abler said he was advised by Region 11 manager Bobbi Riser, who works under the coordinator Faythe Petersen, that the commissioners are responsible to appoint a replacement county manager.

Abler said, "You, as the board, will have the obligation, basically to find a replacement...It's a volunteer position, as it sits right now, unless this board changes it."

Henery asked county clerk Lisa Payne to advertise for a volunteer. She asked, local or statewide. Abler suggested she place notice of vacancy in local papers and on the county website. He said anyone appointed to the position needs to be a resident of Antelope County.

As board chair, Henery said he would assume responsibility for the position in the interim and would contact Mike Mortensen to ask if he would continue as deputy emergency manager. Abler suggested asking Mortensen to consider taking the manager position.

However, Moore wrote in his letter, "I spoke to Mike Mortensen about the position and he advised, 'No,' and that he would be stepping down as deputy 'commander.'"

Moore acknowledged confidence the original board of supervisors had in him.

"They provided me this opportunity, and I am grateful to have served my county proudly," he said.

He also acknowledged several individuals who helped him during last year's flood.

"I have never complained about the position, a position I have never been paid for," he said. "During my 10 years of service to Antelope County, I feel I have been successful."

Applications for the position may be sent to the board in care of Lisa Payne, Antelope County clerk, PO Box 26, Neligh, NE 68756. Applications will be accepted until 9 a.m., Monday, May 31.