New coroner gets a head start

When Brent Meadows won the Republican primary election for coroner, he was not the incumbent, but that’s exactly what he’ll be when he’s officially elected in November.

Meadows, who is running unopposed in the general election, was elected Sept. 7 by a Republican caucus of precinct chairs to finish the term for Kevin Fouche, who resigned his position Aug. 9 to take a private-sector job. Meadows essentially gets an extra four months in the part-time job.

“While it wasn’t planned, it’s just going to help me get things cleared up and a little better organized, so it’s a seamless transition,” Meadows said. “It’s an opportunity just to get started early and get some of the things done that I’m planning to get done the next four years as a team.”

The 64-year-old is able to fit the coroner’s work around his two-day-a-week job as a paramedic with Reid Health EMS.

“I’m in a unique situation that it will work just fine,” Meadows said. “It’s not a hindrance for myself or for either organization.”

Meadows did not hesitate to submit his name for consideration when Fouche resigned. He was the only person to file for the position, making the Saturday caucus at Hartley Hills Country Club in Hagerstown quick and simple. Clerk Debbie Berry administered his oath after the caucus.

“The voters decided (in the primary) that I was the best choice and would represent them well, and I’m ready to serve,” Meadows said. “I’ll get ahead of the game.”

Initially, Meadows said he wants to create a better schedule for the coroner’s team, which includes a chief deputy and five deputy coroners. He also plans better flow of evidence in the evidence locker and better access for deputies to complete reports with tools that make reporting and collecting evidence an easier process.

Fouche last year requested during the budgeting process that the coroner and the chief deputy be made full-time jobs; however, Wayne County Council decided they should remain part-time. Fouche’s resignation letter indicated his frustration with that decision.

Meadows said that he thinks the job will become full-time and he’s prepared to work full-time if that happens.

“I’m not really concerned about that at all,” he said. “I believe that will happen, hopefully by 2026.”