JACKSON CENTER — Three representatives from the Integrity Project, a concerned citizens group, asked during Monday night’s Jackson Center Village Council meeting about the council’s intentions concerning the future reinstatement of the former village police chief.
The group thinks Police Chief Joe Cotterman, who has been on unpaid leave since last May, should be reinstated.
Cotterman was placed on administrative paid leave from Feb. 8, 2016, to May 22, 2016, and then unpaid leave from May 23, 2016, to the present after allegations of misconduct and other charges were filed against him. Mayor Scott Klopfenstein noted a reinstatement action would not be considered until pending charges associated with the case have been settled.
Cotterman was acquitted in January in Shelby County Common Pleas Court of charges of gross sexual imposition and sexual imposition. He faces a May trial for charges of rape, and a civil suit against him was filed earlier this month.
“Joe did some things that people won’t forget. He could have avoided a lot of controversy had he chosen to do so,” said Klopfenstein. “While in uniform, he took a woman into his house and propositioned her … and he later admitted that on tape.”
Village Solicitor Mike Burton confirmed the latter part of Klopfenstein’s statement saying, “Joe’s voice is on tape admitting his actions.”
Village resident Ed Maxwell, who is not a member of the Integrity Project, voiced his opinion, noting that many residents feel Cotterman can no longer be in a position of authority which requires a key element of trust.
“The bottom line is people have to feel safe. Jackson Center is a small town and people need to feel comfortable when seeking help from the police department. People come looking for trust, and that trust has been compromised forever. A lot of people feel Joe can no longer be effective in Jackson Center,” said Maxwell.
Council member Ken Gloyeske agreed, saying, “A police chief is held to a higher level of reliability, and Joe violated the trust that went with his position.”
Members of the Integrity Group said they felt council was a bit too unforgiving concerning the issue and that the former chief deserved a second chance.
Before the discussion of Cotterman, the council addressed several issues.
A resolution authorizing village Administrator Bruce Metz to enter into an agreement for the purchase of a new truck for the village was approved during the meeting.
The truck, a 2017 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab will be purchased to replace the current truck purchased in 1998. The older truck will be used by the newly created Parks Department to help maintain village parks.
“Our guys take really good care of the village equipment with everything from wax-jobs to the more serious mechanical aspects of maintenance, and I’m very proud of the fact we have a well-maintained vehicle to pass on to the Parks Department; it speaks well of their efforts and says a lot about the importance of having a good staff,” said Metz.
The new truck will be purchased from Dan Hemm Automall, which submitted the lowest bid of $33,703.70 which will be paid for with funds from the General Improvement Fund.
“We are pleased the truck will be purchased from someone in our county,” said Metz. “We try to keep our business in our village or county if we can, that way it helps people who are employed in our area”
Council also approved a resolution for the construction of a cold storage building to house equipment and supplies that are needed throughout the year and provide room for a water testing lab that will be added in future by the Wastewater Department. Council received five bids for the project and awarded the contract to Miami Erie Contractors Inc. of St. Marys, Ohio, for $338,000.00.
In other business council passed an ordinance to facilitate the extension of Washington Street to Parkview Drive for public use. The land designated for the project is currently owned by the village of Jackson Center and will be maintained by the village in the future.
Council also discussed the possibility of widening a portion of South Street near the high School that would reduce traffic congestion during sporting events and provide additional parking for 12 to 15 vehicles.
“It’s a no-brainer” said Metz, noting the advantages associated with traffic flow and the aesthetic value of providing a better view of the school from the highway if a house currently owned by the Jackson Center Board of Education is removed to facilitate the widening of the street.
Metz also discussed plans to send a memo to village employees requesting donations to help purchase a tree and plaque dedicated to former village administrator Richard Sailor who faithfully served the village from August 1968 to January 1991. The tree and bronze plaque will be placed in the Village Memorial Park located at the intersection of College and Fairview. Metz said the village is still prospering from Sailor’s leadership over the years and the village was fortunate to have a man of his caliber in office for so long.
Council went into executive session. No action was taken.
