The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Village Discusses Police Holiday Pay

By: Shirley Linder, Quill Editor

At the Monday, July 1st Village of Stronghurst regular board meeting it was brought up there were no provisions in the police manual that addressed holiday pay.

Mike Bohnenkamp said the police committee had made a suggestion that if a police officer worked on a holiday they would receive time and a half pay for a maximum of five hours.

Following a lengthy discussion Mike Swisher made the motion for July 4th to be paid at time and a half for 5 hours maximum with motion passing.

Further holiday pay was tabled until the next meeting. In the meantime trustees will go over the police manual and address a policy for the change.

Rob Root made a request to hold an outside event at Rivals on Main on September 21st. He requested closing the street in front of his business for this event.

When asked how many he was expecting he said 200 since when he has a live band inside he averages 90 to 110 people. The liquor committee will review his request and bring their decision to the next board meeting.

Dessa Rodeffer asked the board, "What is your strategy in communicating information to the public for grand events and outside the community?" Mayor Schaley said, "We've actually crossed the village into the 21st century and we have been trying to use social media as much as possible using Facebook, web and spending money for call all and text all." A discussion followed regarding the paper not being notified of the community events, as not everyone is on Social Media, especially the senior citizens.

Following the lengthy discussion Mayor Schaley said, "But I will say this. I don't want to go here but I have been sitting here and listening for a while. You are certainly entitled to your opinion in your opinion page but when you trash me and my board in one paper it kinda turns me off in what kind of information I want to put out. Such as the two restaurants we have open. I had more comments to me that we were doing a good job and it was appreciated and your opinion page was not very appreciated, as to the work we are doing here. And I'll leave that at that."

In other business the board:

• Heard June police report of 79.5 hours worked; 16 training hours; 438 miles on squad car; 2 traffic stops; 1 uniform traffic ticket; 4 assists; 2 service calls; and 22 business courtesy checks.
• Heard financial statement by Mike Bohnenkamp of $8,000 to the good this month
• Passed the appropriation ordinance
• Discussed Derby Tech has moved their antennae from the water tower to Stronghurst Grain. The water plant cannot pick it up from there so it was voted to sign up with MTC at a cost of $50 installation and $79.94 per month.
• Agreed to get bids for the removal of three trees; Tom Crotts, village park, and Teresa Postle.
• Discussed the cleanup of the burned Vancil house on Elizabeth Street. The village and the fire department have both said it cannot be burned.
• Gave directions to Mike Swisher to have Jeff Nichols draw up plans and prices for a 24 x 24 second shelter house at the park and bring back to the board for the next meeting

Attending were: Mayor Brendan Schaley; Trustees, Mike Bohnenkamp, Jerry Nortrup, Randy Jarvis, David Vancil, Mike Swisher, (Shane Reed absent); Employees, Hollie Allen, Arbry Vancil; Guests, Rob Root, Pastor David Vidler, Dessa Rodeffer, Virginia Ross, Shirley Linder

The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, August 5th at 6 p.m. at city hall.