Sheriff admits mistakes, apologizes

July 3, 1999

HARTINGTON — Cedar County Sheriff Loren Trautman admitted this week he made a mistake by allowing a prisoner to “see” his gun in April.

The Nebraska State Patrol investigated Trautman in May after allegations surfaced that he illegally allowed a convicted felon to handle his firearm.

Trautman was also accused of offering the felon, Jesse Mendoza, an alcoholic beverage. Mendoza was an inmate at the Cedar County Jail at the time of the incident.

Cedar County Attorney Andrea Belgau received the State Patrol’s report on the investigation last week. She asked that a special prosecutor be assigned to the case so it could be prosecuted.

In a Cedar County News interview last week, Trautman said he regretted the incident had ever happened.

“Sure, I’ve made some mistakes. That gun thing was a mistake on my part. It shouldn’t have happened,” he said.

Trautman then went on to apologize for his actions.

”If I have erred in any of my judgement, I apologize to the people of Cedar County,” Trautman said.

Trautman said the incident occurred with an inmate trustee who had earned the trust of Sheriff’s Department personnel.

”The gun issue has risen out of a Cedar County policy used by the last four sheriffs which allows a prisoner to become a trustee,” Trautman said. “The prisoners who are considered as potential trustees have to be on their best behavior. Being selected as a trustee by the Sheriff or a Deputy allows the prisoner to get out of his cell and work, which includes cleaning, cooking, doing laundry or washing patrol cars.”

Trautman said since Mendoza had been helping to clean and cook for several weeks, he had earned a special level of trust.

”He had worked hard, was obedient to the rules and did not cause any problems,” he said.

The incident in question happened on one of the evenings when Mendoza was cooking in the joint kitchen shared by the jail and by Trautman who’s living quarters are attached to the jail.

”He was interested in my gun. I showed it to him. It was not loaded,” he said.

On another occasion, Trautman was cleaning his gun while Mendoza was in the kitchen with him. Trautman said he allowed the prisoner to view his gun, however, he did not give the gun to the jail inmate.

July 2, 2009

CONCORD — After 25 years as the postmaster in Concord, Ron Harder handed over his keys this week. He is retiring.

In 1983, he came to Concord from Ewing to replace Norman Anderson.

There have been quite a few changes in how he does his job since then.

Mail used to be sorted manually. He used equipment – some items dating back to the early 1900’s – like scales to weigh mail to help determine the price of sending items.

The computerized age has really changed things. Electronic scales that figure out postage and machines that read handwriting to sort the mail. Packages can be tracked during transit also.

Some interesting things that came to the post office were baby chicks. As they sat in the office through the day they warmed up and their cheeps got louder.

“We had to call people to come and get them,” Harder laughed, “or the noise would have drove us out of there.”

Harder also said that he had a customer that mailed sites for a laser guided missile overseas from the Concord Post Office.

The post office building used to be Farmers and Merchants State Bank. The bank closed in the depression and was then transformed into the post office. It still contains the safe deposit boxes in the back.

As Donna Schroeder, Allen, temporarily takes charge until a new postmaster is appointed, Harder plans to make the most of his retirement. He and his wife plan to travel to visit family for awhile and his duties as the Dixon County Extension Board President, activities at the church and being a fireman will also keep him busy around Concord.

Susie Johnson will continue her position as clerk in the Concord Post Office.