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Ed Black readies for possible overseas deployment

ALPENA — Alpena County Prosecuting Attorney Ed Black is making preparations in his office for the possibility that he could be called to active duty in the coming weeks.

During the finance committee meeting Wednesday Black asked the commissioners to allow him to enter into contracts with his assistant prosecutors, as well as Alcona County Prosecutor Tom Weichel, to help handle the caseload should he be required to leave the country. Weichel will handle any capital or other serious felony cases for $27,000, if the contract is approved. Black also wants a full-time attorney hired for $47,000, but with no benefits.

Black said he wished to forgo his salary and benefits and have the money from it be used to cover the cost of the contracts.

In his memo Black said Assistant Prosecutor Russ Rhynard will handle administrative duties, while assistant prosecuting attorney Cynthia Muszynski will handle the majority of felony cases in circuit court.

Black received a letter from the United States Army Reserve and it notified him he could be called to duty and possibly serve up to a one-year tour in Kuwait. He said he hasn’t received official notification on the possible deployment, but it could come as early as Dec. 1.

Black said he does not want to take a leave of absence from his job, because it would limit what he could do in his office. He said instead he could go if he is ordered, have his pay be distributed to those who are working in the office and court, but still help manage things from overseas.

“I signed on to be the Alpena County Prosecutor and I think it is my duty to do what I can, even if I get deployed,” he said.

Black said he has the utmost faith in his assistant prosecutors, as well as the other employees in the office. He said if he didn’t he wouldn’t have signed up for the Army reserves.

“I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t believe the office would be well suited to run while I’m away,” Black said. “The gratitude I have for them supporting me in doing this is something I can’t even put into words.”

Black said contract talks are still ongoing, but he wanted to be proactive in getting things in line for the county so things can move forward as smoothly as possible, should he be called to duty.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via email at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter ss_alpenanews.

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