PROVO — Usually, reappointing a county constable is no big deal. It's open and shut, a routine item on the agenda.
Not so this year in Utah County.
In fact, for Anthony Fernlund — one of the constables who has served an average of 18,000 papers a year for the past 25 years — it's become catastrophic.
Fernlund's reappointment was turned down Dec. 31, and he was told shortly after by fax that he was, in effect, fired — along with his staff of 15.
"I'm very unclear on what the exact problem is," Fernlund said Tuesday after the County Commission tried and failed to reinstate him.
"I had thought that I had obtained the commissioners' approval prior to the Dec. 31 meeting. I was surprised."
Commissioner Jerry Grover said he was offended by letters Fernlund had submitted suggesting that only two constables were needed for the Utah County population. Those two, Scott Stowers and Mike Erickson, were appointed in the December meeting.
Grover said the letters were "inappropriate" and pointed in tone against a newcomer candidate for constable, Scott Stowers.
"I didn't feel they were very honest," Grover said Tuesday.
Grover refused to initiate a motion to reinstate Fernlund even after the chairman of the commission, Gary Herbert, asked for either a move to reappoint Fernlund or some sort of compromise.
Commissioner Steve White finally moved for a continuance, which was approved.
White said he didn't have time to fully understand the situation and would like more time.
Herbert said denying reappointment puts a sizable number of people out of work. He stressed that Fernlund has a spotless record of service.
"His track record is what I'm basing my support on," Herbert said.
Fernlund said losing the franchise with the county will severely reduce the available work for his business and irreparably damage his reputation.
"All of my customers would be forced to go elsewhere," Fernlund said.
A constable serves at the will of the county officials but is not an elected or paid county employee. He or she serves legal papers such as a summons or garnishment, for a fee of $6 per paper and $1 per mile for municipalities, attorneys and state or county agencies.
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