Mele To Use Stimulus Funds To Upgrade Communications System

Sonora, CA — When it comes to Federal Stimulus dollars Tuolumne County will receive approximately $56,000 for law enforcement.

Sherriff Jim Mele was Thursday’s KVML Newsmaker of the Day.

Mele says the funding will be used to upgrade the office’s $1.4 million communications package. While new Mele admits, "It’s a bare bones system but it’s much better than what we had. We’ll use the funds to upgrade the system so patrol deputies won’t have to look at what mountain peak or tower they have to be transmitting off of. The system will do that automatically."

Mele adds despite a shortage of deputies it would be useless to hire new personnel because the funding is a one time only payment to the Sheriff’s Office.

The Newsmaker of the Day can be heard each weekday morning at 6:47, 7:47 and 8:47 on AM-1450 KVML.

Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com