Pictured is Town Marshal Ben Sanders in 2019 in an InkFreeNews file photo.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

CLAYPOOL — Town Marshal Ben Sanders isn’t going anywhere, but he is moving closer to Claypool.

The town marshal announced Tuesday, Oct. 19, that he turned down a job offer and recommitted himself to serving the town.

In fact, Sanders told town council members he’s moving from his home in Leesburg to a location much closer to Claypool.

“The support for the police department and me … is great and I’m not going to give up on that. I’m going to continue that relationship with the community, the residents and the surrounding community,” Sanders said.

Sanders declined to identify the company that made the offer but said it was out of state and the job involved loss prevention.

He’s been employed with the town for four years.

Whether Sanders will be able to work on the side as a patrol in Leesburg remains uncertain.

Earlier this year, the town of Leesburg, which does not have a police department, began looking into the idea of Sanders providing a limited amount of patrols in the town north of Warsaw.

Both town councils have been open to the idea, but the arrangement has drawn concerns from an insurance standpoint.

Claypool Town Council President Benny Stage Jr. said their insurance carrier won’t provide coverage if and when Sanders chooses to do patrol work in Leesburg.

That leaves the decision up to Leesburg’s insurance carrier. Leesburg officials have not announced a decision on that matter.

“We’re waiting on Leesburg,’ Stage said.

Meanwhile, Sanders said two reserve officers have resigned. He said he’s looking at three applicants to fill those slots.

In another matter, the town council will not have specific hours set aside for trick or treat next weekend.

Instead, officials are encouraging residents to participate in a Trunk or Treat in town that is being organized by Somewhere Else Saloon.

The trunk or treat will be on Main Street, between Section Street to Calhoun, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, and will include a bike giveaway, lots of candy and chili.

Officials said they think those participating could then head to Silver Lake, which is hosting trick or treat hours from 6 to 7:30  p.m. on Sunday.