By Kelly Morgan,Staff Writer

PARIS – Oxford County Sheriff Skip Herrick on Tuesday verified a rumor that he won’t run for office again next year.

Speaking at an Oxford County commissioners meeting, Herrick said, as of “2006 December, I’ll be done.”

When reached by phone Wednesday, Herrick said he has been planning his departure for some time. “I guess I made a decision probably going into the second year of this term,” he said.

He is now in the middle of his fourth four-year term as sheriff.

Many people at area police departments and involved with local civic organizations, like Rotary, already know about his decision, Herrick said.

He said he began his career in law enforcement when he took a part-time position at the Norway Police Department in 1973. From there, he went on to serve as chief of the Paris Police Department and then sheriff.

After 31 years in law enforcement, Herrick said, “I guess I’ve decided that I’ve done my best and that I want to maybe try something else.”

Also on Tuesday, county Emergency Management Agency Director Daniel Schorr spoke to the commissioners about resigning.

“I have the reasons, but I don’t think this is the forum to get into the particulars,” he said.

Commissioner Chairman Steve Merrill said Schorr’s announcement caught him off guard. “How soon would you like to leave?” he asked. Schorr said he’d rather wait for the county to fill the position permanently than see an interim director put into place.

“I’ll hang on,” he said.

County Administrative Assistant Carole Mahoney was asked to put an advertisement in the paper.

“It sounds like this time he’s made up his mind that he’s definitely going to take this step,” Merrill said, referring to past resignation discussions from Schorr.