Norton considers eliminating police department
By Kally Mavromatis
NORTON — Norton City Council members got an earful from citizens and others at the Nov. 27 meeting.
Concern over Councilman Tom Jones’ (Ward 1) proposal to eliminate the Norton Police Department and contract with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office led many to speak out.
“Out of a lot of the ideas that have come out of this room, that’s in the hall of fame of bad ideas,” said resident Michael Meden. “We have a great police department now. Farming out our safety issues is a bad idea.”
Norton officer Bill Braman agreed.
“As an employee of the city of Norton, I’m very proud every day to put on my uniform,” Braman said. “I don’t want the Sheriff’s [Office] here.”
Police Chief Greg Carris was even more direct.
“At no time was I asked
for my input in this very serious matter,” he
said. “You would think that if common sense prevailed,
I would have some say when it comes to getting rid of
the police department. “Our
employees leave their blood and sweat here at work to
keep this city safe,” Carris added. “In
Norton, we are the only city department that operates
full-time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days
a year. That’s why our budget is higher than the
other departments in our
city.”
Carris likened the situation
to business outsourcing.
“If that happened to a
factory or business in Norton, Council would be up in
arms trying to save those jobs,” he pointed out.
“Yet this is what is being proposed to happen
to your police department. We will not stand aside.”
In an emotional speech, resident
Linda Carter expressed her gratitude to the police department
for helping to save the life of her and her husband.
“I’m here to speak
to you today, thanks to God and the Norton Police Department,”
she said.
After a home invasion
during which Carter said she and
her husband were nearly killed, she said the speedy
arrival of police officers saved their lives.
“These people were not
only apprehended within 15 minutes,” said Carter,
“the police handled every detail. They were there
for us, and they’re still there for us. They go
above and beyond what they have to do. I’ll do
whatever I have to do to keep them here.”
In an interview after the meeting,
Jones said he hoped residents would keep an open mind.
“It’s still in discussions,”
he said. Jones added he’s waiting to make a final
determination until he hears from Capt. Richard Roache,
of the Summit County Sheriff’s
Office.
On Jan. 16, Roache will make
a presentation to Council, outlining what the Sheriff’s
Office can do for the city.
Jones pointed out that “the
city is hurting,” and that Roache has “already
quoted that he can save the city money.”
“I have to look at that
avenue,” he said.
The Sheriff’s Office is
very well-equipped, he pointed out, and “we can
get the same type of service, if not better.”
Jones said he is not unsympathetic
to the concerns of the police department.
“It’s a tough thing
for the officers to swallow,
I agree,” he said. But, he added, should the deal
go through, officers would be given a chance to apply
and be part of the Sheriff’s Office, which “could
absorb the majority” of officers.
Jones expressed some hurt at
the evening’s intense opposition to the plan.
“I don’t know where
these people speaking against me got their info,”
he said. But he believes that “once the presentation
is put out in January, then the people will have a better
idea” of the possibilities the plan presents.
Also at the meeting, Council
continued to hear comments from Weber Road
residents concerning the proposed sewer line.
Resident Mike Ertle asked Council
to consider tax breaks for residents.
“Nobody really wants the
sewer except for business,” he said.
John Botosan pointed out that
“the costs are prohibitive. We’re going
to need financial assistance.”
Rollie Caudill asked if the state
had been approached to help with costs.
“Somebody had better look
into getting the state to help these people,”
he said.
In response to a scheduled 3
percent rate increase, Councilman Ken Braman (Ward 4)
asked Council to freeze sewer rates.
The motion was passed, with the issue to be discussed
at the next work meeting.
In other business, Council:
• heard from resident Charlotte
Whipkey, who continued to press Council on the residency
of Mayor Joseph Kernan, who is currently living outside
of the city while he is separated from his wife;
• suspended the second and
third readings and agreed to allow the city to immediately
sell two retired police vehicles; and
• suspended the second and
third readings and agreed to amend the 2006 budget by
appropriating unallocated funds. This will allow Finance
Director John Moss to meet increased costs and “pay
the bills the next few months,” said Councilman
Dennis McGlone (Ward 2).
The next regular Norton City
Council meeting will take place Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. in
Council chambers in the Safety/Administration Building,
4060 Columbia Woods Drive.
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