'We just want an explanation'

Circleville City Council touched on many matters that ranged from ongoing matters involving the city’s police department to posting a job description for Safety Director.

During the public comment portion of Tuesday’s meeting, longtime Circleville resident Wes Hart said the citizens deserve a complete and honest explanation as to what has occurred and what is occurring within CPD and City Hall’s handling of the situation.

“Based on the information the public has been given — not Facebook rumors or misguided opinions — I’m highly disappointed in the Administration and City Council’s decisions to pay individuals that were fired from their positions in the police department,” he said.

“Thank-you to Councilman (Zack) Brooks for voting ‘no’ on that issue.”

Speaking to City Council, “I know several of you personally and I believe you to be good people and you should be commended for serving our city. I want to thank you for that. But to vote for this payoff seems ridiculous. Is this a financial decision to avoid an investigation and financial prosecution costs and possible countersuits from fired individuals? Is it to safe the city further embarrassment or is there information digested by this legislative action — if there is, then it needs to be made public.”

Hart continued, “What are we trying to hide? If people did things that were illegal, then they should be prosecuted. If the individuals in the police department were doing something that necessitated their removal and/or firing, why are they being paid to leave? If they were not behaving in such a negative manner, why were they relieved of duty?”

Referring to former Safety Director Steven Wilkinson who was fired after a week on the job , Hart asked how does Wilkinson fit into this situation?

“Are there personal vendettas and grudges involved — we just want to know. If this situation is not explained, maybe voters should be asked to recall current administration city council members — we just want an explanation.”

Hart said through its actions, CPD has cost City Hall nearly $500,000 within the last year “through poor behavior and mismanagement.”

The online version of the story includes a link to Hart’s speech .

To see more of Hart’s remarks that start around the 8-minute mark in the meeting, see Circlevilletv.com — a link to the meeting is included with the online version of this story.

In other news, Mayor Michelle Blanton said City Hall has posted a job announcement for City Safety Director on Monday.

According to the job posting, the annual salary range is $60,749 to $72,899, based on previous experience, skills and knowledge. The City of Circleville offers an attractive benefit package that includes health, dental, vision and life insurance after 30 days of service and membership in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System.

Online version of story includes a link to the job posting which can be found at circlevilleoh.gov/employment

Any interested job applicant may submit a resume via email: hr@circlevilleoh.gov. Employment Applications are not accepted via the City’s website. The deadline for submission is Friday, April 26.

Blanton said City Hall would like to have Safety Director in place before moving forward on plans to pursue a safety forces levy . Blanton said she has talked with CPD police and fire chiefs as well as the Pickaway County Board of Elections about ballot deadlines.

Councilman Brooks asked if former CPD Chief Shawn Baer and Deputy Chief Doug Davis had signed their separation agreements. Last week, City Council endorsed a settlement between Baer and Davis — both of whom had been suspended from duty in March.

City Law Director Kendra Kinney said though Baer and Davis have signed their separate agreements , the agreement is not out of its rescission window as yet.

In other business, the council approved a first reading of an ordinance amending the city code to include a City Planner position within the Department Of The City Public Service.

“This particular position as you see the city of Circleville is, is starting to move forward,” Councilman Tom Klitzka said. “We’re kind of what I refer to as the new frontier in itself. We desperately need someone that has planning that understands how we need to develop this city from where it is today. We definitely are in need of a city planner. Other cities that I’m aware of that have not had city planners have run into lots of trouble and it is not a good thing.”

Also, the council approved a first reading of an ordinance authorizing the Director Of Public Service to execute a right-of-way easement to American Electric Power Company, granting it the right to install and maintain electrical transmission lines across lands owned by the City Of Circleville and used as part of the Valvoline Oil Change.

“Our service director said this is a pretty standard thing that normally doesn’t even require an ordinance, but the way that the parcels are set up down on Southport Street for the project, they need to have this ordinance just so that they could run their lines across to get the Valvoline Oil Place set up and running,” Councilwoman Sheri Theis said.

Council approved a first reading authorizing the Circleville Pumpkin Show Inc. to operate the annual “Circleville Pumpkin Show” on various streets and sidewalks of the City Of Circleville.

Council approved a first reading of an ordinance authorizing the Public Service Director to enter into a contract for the purchase of two trucks for Public Service Department.

“This is in the budget,” Duvall said. “These are two replacement trucks. They’re Ford 350s with a blade so that is a very utilitarian pickup truck that’s good size one, but further it’ll be good for the smaller streets as far as snow removal.”

Also, the council approved a second reading of an ordinance an amendment to the agreement to create the City of Circleville-Pickaway Township Joint Economic Development District to authorize the redistribution of the JEDD income tax revenue.

Dane Smythe of Circleville also spoke about the railroad bridge overpass during the public comment portion of the meeting. Smythe’s speech starts around the 12:30 min mark — his idea is to extend SR 188 to US 23.

“This would solve far more than just a bridge overpass,” he said.

Smythe said the current proposed routes are a band-aid to the solution, which shows City Hall does not care about its citizens, or have any pride in itself.

“You’re routing people — let’s be honest — through the slums.

The public can participate by viewing Spectrum Channel 1021 or Circlevilletv.com. or website Circlevilleoh.Gov council recordings. If the public has questions email lchancey@Circlevilleoh.Gov

Council meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.