Judge-elect Bisbee plans to learn ins and outs before taking office
Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
BENTON COUNTY ó In an attempt to hit the ground running when he takes office in January, County Judge-elect Dave Bisbee visited with several county employees last week to learn everything he can before being sworn in.
To help Bisbee get ready for his new post as county judge, current County Judge Gary Black said he has opened up the County Administration Building to Bisbee.
ì A badge to get in and out of the facility has been offered to him to give him the run of the building so he can go and visit anytime he likes, î Black said.
Itís an invitation that will not be lost on Bisbee, who says he plans on spending as much time as he can at the County Administration Building, learning the ins and outs of the way the county government works, all before he officially takes office in January.
ì I believe in trying to do a good job, and you have got to know what you are doing if you are going to do a good job, so I am going to be talking to the (current ) judge a lot and to the county staff a lot and to the department heads a lot, î Bisbee said.
ì By Jan. 1, I will not know it all, but I will have a good start, î Bisbee said.
On Nov. 10, Bisbee met with Rosemary Goines, Blackís secretary, to get a feel for how the judgeís office is run; with county comptroller Richard McComas, to educate himself on the countyís budgeting process; and with County Clerk Mary Lou Slinkard.
ì (Meeting with Bisbee ) is very helpful, î McComas said. ì I am very impressed. We familiarized ourselves with each other, and I am finding out good things from him. î
Black, who has been the county judge for eight years, offered Bisbee a little advice on operating in his new position as county judge in January.
ì I hope he really gets to know the people before making decisions about the county employees, î Black said. ì I hope he takes his time before making any real changes or major decisions. He has got a learning curve to go through, but there is a real advantage to be able to go and talk to folks now, î Black said.
Bisbee, it seems, is taking Black up on that advice.
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