All systems

are go for Fayette County's newest weapon in the fight against crime.

Fayette County

Commission Chairman Greg Dunn announced during last Thursday's meeting

that the Fayette County Sheriff's Department had agreed to pay for maintenance

and fuel costs for its new helicopter with funds seized from drug deals.

The department

had originally asked the County Commission to pay for it, but the request

caused dissension between the board and the department over who authorized

the purchase of the copter.

Dunn was happy

with the department's proposal for funding the copter.

"They

will approach us for funds next year during our regular budget cycle.

We will have eight to nine months of good records showing us the costs,"

he said.

Dunn said he

had a "very productive" meeting with Sheriff Randall Johnson

and Maj. Bruce Jordan and dismissed any talk of tension between the County

Commission and Sheriff's Department.

"We have

an excellent working relationship," he said.

The helicopter

will be used to assist in high-speed chases and also to help eradicate

marijuana growing in the county.