Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
PIERCETON - Flyers and posters have circulated throughout the town in support of suspended-without-pay police officer Terry Cahill. One citizen asked about Cahill's "dismissal" at the town council meeting Monday.
"He hasn't been dismissed. He was suspended," said Jerry Kreger, board president
"He has requested a hearing and received a written list of reasons for the suspension," Kreger added. "He can share those reasons with you, if he wishes. We can not comment."
Kreger went on to say during the hearing, set for Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m., Cahill is entitled to legal counsel and people making statements may be cross-examined. The hearing is open to the public. Cahill also may request a different date for the hearing.
The posters accuse the town council, Kreger and the town marshal of falsehoods and urged people to attend the meeting in support of Cahill. About eight people, including several of Cahill's relatives, were present.
None of the council members or Tim Sammons, the town marshal, has made any comments about the discipline.
Cahill was suspended by the town Aug. 24. He retains rights to health insurance coverage.
He was hired in December 2002, after serving the town as a reserve officer for about a year.
Fire Chief Gordon Baker said the department is having an open house Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. to promote fire safety within the community. Refreshments will be served and Sparky the Fire Dog will make an appearance.
Free smoke detectors will be available. The public is welcome to see the department's equipment and vehicles.
Statues of a fireman holding a small child and an adult and puppy Dalmatians, the traditional "fire dog" breed, were installed on cement pads in the front of the fire station. They were donated by Rex and Jeannette Mast. The couple used to own Mast Hardware. Rex was a longtime volunteer fireman.
Hydrant testing is tentatively scheduled Oct. 1 and 2.
Baker said Pierceton will host a Fire Officer 1 certification class in October, open to all county firefighters.
Town Marshal Tim Sammons said the department is organizing a parenting class about harassment and bullying of other students.
Sammons said squad car computers to access the Indiana Data and Communications System - (IDACS) - will arrive in a couple of weeks. The computers will allow officers to access the Indiana State Police law enforcement and criminal justice data base. The software also connects with national enforcement information.
Sammons said officers using the program must be certified to access it.
Sammons said the town's three reserve officers are close to completing their field training time - 100 hours. Following approval by a training officer and Sammons, they will begin solitary patrols.
The board also:
• Approved purchase of a street sweeper and sand spreader for the street department.
• Declined to sign a subordination agreement to be "moved down" the list of lien holders on a mortgage to a home that has benefited from the owner-occupied rehabilitation program.
• Heard Housing Opportunities of Warsaw director Pam Kennedy considered the Day of Sharing a great success. Grace College students and members of the Walnut Creek Housing Ministry as well as HOW staffers worked on three houses in the community Aug. 17.
Public works superintendent Chip Hill was thanked for tearing down an old porch at one residence on First Street. Kreger said Grace students plan to return on their own and landscape the property as soon as sufficient funds are raised.
The board approved using money from the revolving fund to finish a house on Third Street and approved a bid of $14,859 to make renovations to a Washington Street property.
Town council members are Kreger, Bob Tenney and Mandy Espinoza.
