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Messenger photo by Sandi Latimer
Matthew Ti Myers takes the oath of office as the village’s full-time police chief. He was sworn in Feb. 4 after council adopted an ordinance to make the position a full-time one and elevate Myers to full-time status. |
The position of police chief in the Village of Valleyview is now a full-time position, and Matthew Ti Myers, who had been the part-time chief, has been elevated to full time.
This change came at the village council’s meeting Feb. 4.
Council gave its approval, 5-0, on the third reading of an ordinance that would make the position full time, and followed that with a 5-0 vote to elevate Myers.
He was administered the oath of a full-time probationary officer by Mayor Tom Watkins. The probation period is for six months, after which council will review his work and decide on confirmation.
Going full time means a salary of $32,240 a year, pension benefits through the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund, and two weeks paid vacation. He oversees four other paid officers who work an estimated 30 hours a week.
During the month of January, officers put in 615 hours, including 16 in-service training hours.
The legislation regarding the office of police chief had been introduced late last year and drawn complaints from residents who criticized the emergency portion of the ordinances.
Council followed procedure and allowed the piece of legislation to be read at three consecutive meetings before taking a final vote.
Also at the meeting, Watkins announced that three people had submitted applications to be appointed to a vacant seat on council.
Seeking that seat are Curtis Fitzpatrick, Deana Hazen and Paul Zinser.
Council member Ron Hays, who was elected by his colleagues as president, will chair a committee to interview the candidates and make a recommendation to the full council.
“I could appoint someone within 30 days, but I will let council fill this seat,” Watkins said.
The vacancy was created when the seat that Fitzpatrick had held was up for election in November and no one chose to run.
Council also heard from a couple of residents who lodged complaints over conditions in the village.
Barb Winkler said she did not like the idea of semitrucks in the village.
“My alley has holes in it and it gets worse each time he comes up the alley,” she said. “The alley needs resurfacing.”
Watkins assured her the concern of the trucks would be addressed. He said council has a couple of zoning packages that will be brought before the body.
Council member Chad Radford is chairing that project and Watkins said a couple of residents had already asked if they could serve on it too.
“I’d serve on that committee,” said Angie Jones after she described conditions at houses near her house.
“It’s making my property look bad,? she said as she described washers and dryers in the yards and abandoned vehicles – one with a radiator in the front seat.
“There’s a vacant house and cats go in and carry out rats,” she said.
“I take care of my property,” she said. “Let’s take care of this.”
Council also took care of general housekeeping procedures since this was the first meeting of the year. The January meeting, scheduled the night that Ohio State played in the BCS bowl game, was postponed.
Two of the ordinances dealt with contracting with the city prosecutor and public defender for the prosecution and defense of indigent cases in municipal court. These contracts are retroactive to Jan. 1 of this year.
Council’s next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, March 3 at the village administration building. The meeting is open to the public.
