(1/3) Kenny Oland, a retired
law-enforcement officer with 25 years
experience, has been named Thurmont’s
code-enforcement officer.
“I’ll be enforcing the municipal code and
dealing with things like high grass, shoveling
walks or abandoned vehicles to free up
officers to do other law enforcement,” Oland
said.
Thurmont Police Chief Greg Eyler also said
that Oland “will be able to issue a municipal
citation, if warranted, but he’ll also be
trying to find solutions to problems.”
Oland will also be representing the town in
court if the cases are contested.
“This position was needed,” Eyler said. “I
tried to do it myself with [Administrative
Assistant] Carrie [Stumpf]. The officers
issued the citations and I would go to court
on them. It took up hundreds of hours.”
Because some residents are chronic
municipal code violators, Oland will identify
these people and see if there is a solution
that can devised to keep the residents from
being continually fined.
“I wanted to still be involved in law
enforcement,” Oland said. “There’s a need for
this position and it allows me to give back to
the town.”
The code-enforcement officer is a part-time
position. Oland is expected to assume his new
duties on Feb. 4.
