Campaign promise fulfilled

SOUTH BEND -- Pacific County Prosecutor Mark McClain makes good on his campaign promise to bring civil legal services to Pacific County.

"I applaud the Board of County Commissioners for demonstrating leadership despite difficult financial circumstances by expanding our office to allow for a full-time civil deputy prosecutor," McClain said. "Fulfilling a commitment I made during the campaign has already paid big dividends to the county as we were able to secure tax payment of $43,435 from a local company seeking to remove the assets secured by a tax lien without first making their tax payment, obtaining dismissals in two civil suits filed against the County, and addressing growing land use issues."

The Board of County Commissioners approved McClain's plan to apply for a grant and approved the expansion of the County's diversion program, which allows the Prosecutor's Office to divert traffic infractions from the courts increasing revenue to sustain the civil deputy. As a result, McClain shifted the Chief Deputy into the newly formed civil division, promoted the district court deputy to superior court, and hired Haylee Mills, who will serve as a district court Deputy Prosecutor.

Mills was born and raised in a small town in northern Utah. Following graduation from law school, she clerked for the late Hon. J. Thomas Greene at the United States District Court for the District of Utah. At the completion of her clerkship, Mills opened her own firm and practiced felony criminal defense for five years before becoming a Deputy Prosecutor for Pacific County, fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a prosecutor and living near the sea.

"I'm so lucky to be living the dream and working alongside intelligent, hardworking, thoughtful, funny, and fun people -- I love the office," Mills said.

McClain noted that he will continue to retain a criminal case load of felony cases while also addressing the civil legal issues for the county.