Police chief’s ouster backed
By KAY SEDGMER, Times Leader Staff WriterADENA - Upon the recommendation of the police committee, village leaders approved a move to relieve the police chief of his duties.
"I personally asked [Chief] Ben Swoyer to attend an earlier meeting of the police committee, and he told me he wouldn't be there," said committee chair Billie Stanwick. "He said he was working in New Athens that night. I don't think you can serve two masters, and we come first."
According to discussion, Swoyer had served as chief for the village while also accepting a similar post in the other village.
Stanwick distributed a copy of a letter prepared by the police committee on the recommendation of the village's solicitor. It was signed and sent to the entire department asking for their resignations.
"You made a recommendation but went on and made a decision," Councilman Tom Horton said. "Council did not agree to the letter. [The committee] should follow the correct procedure."
"The decision is primarily up to the committee not council," Stanwick replied.
"No, you overstepped your bounds," Horton replied. "They (the officers) just need leadership."
Solicitor Rebecca Bench said the committee is the "first line of defense" and said council eventually had the final say as to what course of action would be taken.
Clerk Gary Dulkoski said that he had dealt with the department and indicated he had no problems with current Officer William Erwin. However, he did indicate problems had possibly developed with Swoyer. "He seems to be very immature," Dulkoski said.
Dulkoski then recommended, due to financial restraints, that the village finish out the year with only one officer.
By a 4-2 vote, council approved a move to dismiss the police chief and retain the single officer.
In other business, council learned that 20 wreath decorations had been purchased through donations for the upcoming holiday season.
"The lighted wreaths were bought with donated money," said village resident Brenda Roski.
"There was no village money used," added Nancy Malin. "Even though a rumor is going around, the money was donated by individuals, groups and businesses."
Roski said each decoration costs $328 and features a large lighted wreath with three electric candles finished with a bow. Brackets have already been installed to hold the wreaths in the downtown area of the community.
"We are still taking donations," added Roski. "Any additional funds will be used to purchase more decorations for next year."
Sedgmer may be reached at ksedgmer@timesleaderonline.com
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pebbles
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11-13-08 12:41 PM
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I agree with 01030812. I also donated to help out Adena also even though I don't live there anymore. Maybe the rest of the town will step up also.
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number1
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11-12-08 11:00 PM
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The person complaining about $7,000. for Christmas decorations from private money should instead be complaining of the town paying for a Clerk of the Mayors Court when the Mayor has not had court for 7 years. Talk about using money better elsewhere, This is public tax payers money.
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number1
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11-12-08 9:36 PM
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It would be nice if SphinxRising 58 had something nice to say about the town they live in. I have 4 words to say to her MOVE OUT OF TOWN if you don't like it. You have nothing but criticism for everything. GET A LIFE ALREADY.
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007700
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11-12-08 9:13 PM
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How negative Sphinxrising58 is.....would put a wet blanket on New Years Eve at Times Square. Get a life.......Christmas is a joyous time and with all we have to be thankful for in the USA bringing joy to a little Village by its citizens is a wonderful thing.
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ILoveAdena
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11-12-08 6:08 PM
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All of the money for the Christmas Decorations was donated by people in the community who care for Adena. No Village funds was used to buy Christmas lights. The people of the town must support this if they gave $7,000 of their own money for it. A group of people got together to try to make the holidays brighter in this small town. All they get is criticized. I'll bet the person who wants to fix streets hasn't made a donation to the town for blacktop. Put your money where your mouth is.
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01030812
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11-12-08 2:21 PM
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I would like to say I donated for the beautiful Christmas Decorations. After over 40 years of the same decorations, Adena deserves to have something so nice to welcome visitors and citizens during the holidays. All this money came from donations of the good citizens of Adena and former residents who want to brighten up the town during the holidays. Adena deserves it.
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SphinxRising58
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11-12-08 10:27 AM
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Almost 7K for Christmas decorations ? I am sure that money could have found better use elsewhere.
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