Ironton City Council sent a clear message to the mayor and the police department – wait and see what happens.

Friday, September 14, 2001

Ironton City Council sent a clear message to the mayor and the police department – wait and see what happens.

The Ironton Police Department has lost one officer due to resignation and another officer may be departing the department’s ranks, leaving what city officials believe will be a hole in police coverage.

At last night’s meeting, council chairman Jim Tordiff said he had spoken with Mayor Bob Cleary about the situation with the city’s police department and believed the city should start civil service testing in order to establish a pool of qualified candidates. Tordiff said with the possible shortages, there will be an increased use of overtime in order for the department to fulfill its duty.

Tordiff then recommended the mayor begin to initiate the city’s Civil Service Committee to test those eligible for the job vacancies.

Councilman Jesse Roberts, however, objected to Tordiff’s proposal. Roberts said that due to the city’s current financial status and the tax increase issue that will be on November’s ballot, the city would be in a better position to wait until November to see what course the voters decide for the city.

Roberts said the city could wait another "six weeks" before testing for the civil service position. He said the city shouldn’t spend the money associated with testing, which not only consists of a written exam but medical exams and psychological screenings, before the city knows the money will be in the budget to pay the officers wages.

Councilman Leo Ulery echoed Roberts’ decision, saying he wants to make sure the money is in the budget to pay the replacement officer before the city pays the money needed for the testing.

Tordiff stressed, stating three times, that he considers the police force a vital function of the city and would also recommend every budget revision contain full funding for police officers. Although Tordiff said he recommends funding police officers, he would entertain the idea of cutting dispatchers. Tordiff said he would be willing to look at other alternatives such as tying the city’s police dispatching with the county’s 911 system.

After Tordiff’s statement, Roberts once again explained his position, saying the city should wait and see.

Council voted to wait until the city’s financial position could be assessed before civil service testing begins.

All councilmen. with the exception of Tordiff and Councilman Bob Vaughn, who wasn’t at the meeting, voted in favor of waiting on an analysis of the city’s financial position.