In the county coroner candidate “Where they stand” feature (March 8, A6), answers for one question were paired with the wrong candidates. The Daily Reporter regrets the error.
These are the correction answers for the question, “What percentage of death investigations should the elected coroner handle personally, and what is an acceptable amount to hand off to deputy coroners?”
Rudy Nylund: I feel that 40 to 50 percent of the call load is an appropriate number to maintain a reasonable amount of calls and to keep additional cost of the deputy responses at a minimum. I do feel that the coroner should respond to any call that is considered a high-profile call which requires an extended investigation. The coroner has that responsibility to offer support or guidance to the deputy that is involved with the incident. As a coroner, I will ensure that any deputy that serves with me will need to have the necessary training and the compassion that is required for the death investigation field.
Joe Fortner: This is a hard question to answer. In a perfect world, I would say all of them. But since the county government funds it as a part-time position, that is not possible. Whoever the coroner is, though, he or she should look at and review every report to ensure it is complete and correct.
Dan Devoy: Having been the coroner and a chief deputy, I can say it doesn’t fall on percentages. You are the county coroner 24/7 on call. Each call to the coroner’s office is a life-changing event for a family. I will ensure every death scene call from dispatch starts with me. I will determine whether I need to go or if a deputy coroner needs to go. I will go to many calls and take many cases, as I have always done in the past. The people of this community need to see the coroner, talk to him and be assured we care.
David Stillinger: Once a fully functional team is in place and well-trained, a rotating schedule would certainly be in order. It should be the norm for each deputy coroner to keep the coroner updated on all cases. To imply that the elected coroner should handle a designated percentage of cases would be determined by the number of cases, complexity of the cases currently under investigation and the available manpower. The current coroner is unable to investigate cases and the repercussions of having a non-working coroner has had tremendous impact on the office of coroner and the budget.
