MENTONE — Mentone is short a deputy marshal and residents are asking, “why?” Much to their dismay, their questions were met with deaf ears.

A crowd gathered at the Mentone Town Hall Monday evening, Oct. 5, to ask questions and to learn the circumstances behind the resignation of Mentone Deputy Marshal, Terry Engstrand. Initially, board members ignored the questions that came up and attempted to move on to the next topic. As questions persisted, Croy looked at other members of the board and told them they were not required to respond.

One individual, Rodney Bays, spoke up, stating that Croy had previously been quoted in Ink Free News in January as wanting the community to be more involved in the decision-making process and asked why the board was not following through on that.

Town Marshal, Jim Eads, asked if the board was going to begin the hiring process for a new deputy marshal, to which the board replied that budget funds do not currently exist for that, eliciting more questions and a number of objections from those gathered.

“But you’re taking away the one we budgeted for,” a voice from the back of the room called out.

Croy noted that the board could begin discussions for a new deputy in January. However, Eads responded that he would like to have a new deputy hired and in place by Jan. 1.

The board continued its silence in response to questions, moving on to the next agenda item. However, the crowd’s need for answers was not satiated. Eads returned to the topic, wanting to know if he was going to be paid overtime for the extra hours he expects to put in.

Eads was not the only officer present to question the board without response. Reserve Officer, Randy Bays, approached the board next.

“Our lives are already in danger and now you guys are taking away what could be our closest backup,” he said. “You guys are putting more danger on us.”

Board members told Bays to stand down, however, he remained in place until he had voiced his concerns, including no longer having an officer at the school and having one less person to respond to drug situations, including meth labs.

At one point a voice in the crowd called out, “we need to vote these people out,” to which cheers and applause erupted.

As the meeting concluded and the board stood up to leave, a few people objected, asking if a motion had been made for dismissal. Croy responded that there had been a motion and the board had voted to adjourn and it had simply gone unnoticed. Board members left quickly, however discussion among those gathered continued.