Residents seek answers about town marshal resignation
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
NORTH WEBSTER - Town council members let attorney Mike Armey speak for them when they were questioned about the demotion of former town marshal Jerry Craig and his subsequent resignation.
Dave Anderson started the questions when he asked when a new marshal would be named. Board president Kay Andrews said applications will be taken.
"I am making an appeal to the board that they pull from the existing police force when making a selection," J.D. Hoy said. Andrews said the comment was appreciated and the board would keep that in mind.
Jay Clutter asked the board specifically about Craig, who tendered his resignation Sept. 6 after the council passed a resolution demoting him and giving him notice of termination effective Sept. 11. No specific reasons were given for the council's action.
"Did he do something wrong?" Clutter asked, referring to Craig.
"Was there a conflict of personalities? Did he break a law? If he broke a law he should be punished for it like everyone else."
Armey said that unless the person involved comes forward with a written release, the town won't discuss personnel matters.
"It would open us up to a lawsuit," Armey said.
Clutter said no one is talking about the decision.
"We pay taxes here," he said. "We just want to ease our minds." He thought it strange that no one in the small town was talking about the incident.
Andrews said if they commented they would just open up the town and taxpayers to liability.
Clutter asked if Craig received a financial package to his advantage if he resigned instead of being fired.
Armey said Craig, a 15-year town employee, did receive a severence package. He wouldn't agree it was to Craig's advantage.
Don and Dawn Meyer approached the board with a problem they've reported to the local police force for about two years.
They said a family that operates race cars, specifically Shafer Racing, runs the vehicles without mufflers when they are working on the engines, a noise that often disturbs their sleep.
"I've talked to you," Don said, indicating the council, "I talked to Jerry (Craig). I've been threatened by them when I've called the police. I'm asking the council to please help us by drafting a noise ordinance."
Greg Church, acting town marshal, said the town follows the state's noise ordinance, which would prohibit excessive noise in the middle of the night. The Meyers said the cars are run in the middle of the night when the Shafers return from a race.
The Myers brought photographs of the garage and said they doubt it is appropriate for a residential neighborhood. They understood cars were being built for money, not necessarily as a hobby.
Clerk Peg Lawrance said she would call Dan Richard, Kosciusko County area plan commission director, about the problem.
Andrews said Armey would research drafting a noise ordinance. [[In-content Ad]]
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NORTH WEBSTER - Town council members let attorney Mike Armey speak for them when they were questioned about the demotion of former town marshal Jerry Craig and his subsequent resignation.
Dave Anderson started the questions when he asked when a new marshal would be named. Board president Kay Andrews said applications will be taken.
"I am making an appeal to the board that they pull from the existing police force when making a selection," J.D. Hoy said. Andrews said the comment was appreciated and the board would keep that in mind.
Jay Clutter asked the board specifically about Craig, who tendered his resignation Sept. 6 after the council passed a resolution demoting him and giving him notice of termination effective Sept. 11. No specific reasons were given for the council's action.
"Did he do something wrong?" Clutter asked, referring to Craig.
"Was there a conflict of personalities? Did he break a law? If he broke a law he should be punished for it like everyone else."
Armey said that unless the person involved comes forward with a written release, the town won't discuss personnel matters.
"It would open us up to a lawsuit," Armey said.
Clutter said no one is talking about the decision.
"We pay taxes here," he said. "We just want to ease our minds." He thought it strange that no one in the small town was talking about the incident.
Andrews said if they commented they would just open up the town and taxpayers to liability.
Clutter asked if Craig received a financial package to his advantage if he resigned instead of being fired.
Armey said Craig, a 15-year town employee, did receive a severence package. He wouldn't agree it was to Craig's advantage.
Don and Dawn Meyer approached the board with a problem they've reported to the local police force for about two years.
They said a family that operates race cars, specifically Shafer Racing, runs the vehicles without mufflers when they are working on the engines, a noise that often disturbs their sleep.
"I've talked to you," Don said, indicating the council, "I talked to Jerry (Craig). I've been threatened by them when I've called the police. I'm asking the council to please help us by drafting a noise ordinance."
Greg Church, acting town marshal, said the town follows the state's noise ordinance, which would prohibit excessive noise in the middle of the night. The Meyers said the cars are run in the middle of the night when the Shafers return from a race.
The Myers brought photographs of the garage and said they doubt it is appropriate for a residential neighborhood. They understood cars were being built for money, not necessarily as a hobby.
Clerk Peg Lawrance said she would call Dan Richard, Kosciusko County area plan commission director, about the problem.
Andrews said Armey would research drafting a noise ordinance. [[In-content Ad]]