Mahoning Township supervisors learned their new police car has some bugs that need to be worked out according to Township Officer Amie Barclay.
She reported to them during Monday night's meeting that the vehicle currently is unable to be driven at night due to problems with the head lamps being aligned properly. She also reported a problem with the mike holder on the radio and a possible leak in the manifold.
"Someone should get in touch with Milham to get this dealt with," said Chairperson John Wieczorek to Barclay. She told him that Chief Kenneth Barnes instructed her to call the dealer the next day and get the problems remedied.
Supervisor George Stawnyczyj suggested the lights and the radio issues may have been problems introduced when Kovatch's was outfitting the car.
"I think we should start there to get those issues resolved."
Barclay said she would do as the chief instructed and take care of the car. She was also going to check with Milham to see if a more local Ford dealer could handle the manifold issue.
During the committee reports, Wieczorek asked how the new scheduling in the police department was working. A month or so before, the supervisors requested the chief try some of the scheduling solutions developed through mutual agreement with officer Audie Mertz.
"I'm sorry to say the scheduling which initially was running smoothly has been scrapped by the chief and we are back in the bad situation we started in," said committee member Linda Benner.
"The chief was in on the weekend, " said Supervisor Travis Steigerwalt.
"Yes, he was in here to cover a space in the schedule," Benner commented.
As the officials covered their portion of the meeting, Wieczorek mentioned the need for an executive session to cover some personnel and litigation matters. Supervisor Frank Ruch responded by saying, "Look, I will stay and talk about the road crew, but if the discussion is going to be about the police chief or the suit he filed against me, I refuse to discuss it and will be leaving the meeting."
Wieczorek also reported a phone call was received by the township from the Department of Labor and Industry Boiler Division about a complaint filed by Police Chief Kenneth Barnes against the township alleging the fuel pumps at the rear of the building are a hazard.
Steigerwalt asked Wieczorek if he remembered when they were first elected, he asked about whether the tanks were safe and they determined that it would cost over $35,000 four years ago to replace them.
"You may want to see if COSTARS has implemented a fuel program in Carbon County," said Stawnyczyj who suggested that might be an alternative to replacing the tanks if that is the remedy required after L&I's visit on Dec. 20.
Ruch said he wasn't keen on having the grader driven into town to get its tank filled, but Stawnyczyj countered by saying this could be avoided by having a transfer tank installed in the truck to transport the fuel.
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"I'm sorry to say the scheduling which initially was running smoothly has been scrapped by the chief and we are back in the bad situation we started in," said committee member Linda Benner.
AGAIN WITH THE BIG MOUTH COMMENTS!!!! According to WHOM is the schedule not working? Geeee, could it be that Audie Mertz and Linda Benner are in on this together? After all- it does seem that she is linked to him somehow over all of this. In article after article you read about Benner and Mertz, Mertz and Benner, Benner and Mertz, Merz and Benner- it is soooo obvious what is going on and has been going on ever since she got on the Board. She needs to go. NOW.
OK, BEAR BACK, HERE WE GO AGAIN. WHO DID YOU ASK IF THE SCHEDULE IS WORKING??? THE THIEF?(CHIEF I MEANT, DARN IT).(LAUGHING UNCONTROLLABLY NOW). AND THE REFERENCES TO BENNER AND MERTZ ARE LAUGHABLE COMPARED TO THE UNHOLY ALLIANCE BETWEEN TRAVIS STEIGERWALT AND THE CHIEF( I KNOW, YOU WERE ALL WAITING FOR THIEF, SORRY). IN FACT, MR. STEIGERWALT IS SO CLOSE TO CHIEF THAT IF THE CHIEF EVER STOPS MOVING TOO QUICKLY, THE MEDICS WILL HAVE TO PRY OPEN THE CHIEFS MOUTH SO YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE MR. STEIGERWALT'S FACE. ALSO KNOWN AS CRANIAL RECTAL INVERSION. GET IT. I AM SURE YOU DO, BECAUSE EVERYONE ELSE DOES. EVERYBODY WHO HAS HALF A BRAIN KNOWS WHERE THE PROBLEM LIES. THE TOWNSHIP SHOULD GET A MANNEQUIN FROM WALMART. PLACE IT IN THE CHIEFS CHAIR. HANG A CIGARETTE OUT OF IT'S MOUTH AND BUY A CHEAP PAIR OF 1980'S RAY-BAN KNOCK OFF SUNGLASSES. NO ONE WOULD EVER BE ABLE TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE. (EXCEPT FOR MR. STEIGERWALT, THAT IS)
OH YEAH, BEAR BACK, ALMOST FORGOT. YOU MADE REFERENCE TO THE THREE STOOGES IN ANOTHER ARTICLE.
(THE CHIEF, TRAVIS, AND GEORGE?) JUST WONDERING.
Poor angry little boy stomping his feet and calling names with crude potty mouth. And it appears that "just the facts" is one of the cops- nice to know that we have a psycho like this working. And you admit to having half a brain- good for you- admitting the problem is the first step to getting the help that you need.
Audie Mertz wants the Chief position...
Yes he does- and so does the other one- Frace.
when your crony got arrested, (you know, the guy that CONFESSED to writing false reports) didn't they force that Frace guy to lead the department until they found a new, alleged chief. didn't he decline the position in writing? and i am also pretty sure he didn't even apply for the position when it opened. so his angle is because he wants that job???? you really don't have a clue, huh.
MAYBE, MAYBE NOT. HOW DO YOU KNOW? ARE YOU PSYCHIC? MAYBE PEOPLE JUST WANT A CHIEF THAT ACTUALLY IS INTERESTED IN DOING POLICE WORK, AND ASSISTING THE PEOPLE IN THE DEPARTMENT THAT ACTUALLY DO THE WORK, PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY, ETC... YOU KNOW, CHIEFLY THINGS. (KEEPING IT SIMPLE FOR YA' EMT GUY) INSTEAD OF A SELF RIGHTEOUS, ARROGANT, NARCISSISTIC, CLOWN THAT IS NOW KEEPING SOMEONE FROM A JOB WHO DESERVES ONE, UNLIKE HIMSELF.
Good grief- you are ill. Get help. Another one of your rampages filled with rage, spewing venom and making no sense.
It is a well known fact that Mertz has had his eye on the Chief job and will use anyone to get it (Benner). It is also out that Jeff Frace wants the position too- now that would really be a travesty! Two fools in the same department biting and clawing, stabbing their Chief in the back to get his job- what a delight it must be to work with those two clowns. They did this to their last Chief too. Everyone sees it for what it is- backstabbing subordinates trying to take down their boss.
I think the whole police department should be fired, and dissolved, give the township to Lehighton PD. Yes, it very well known and documented as to the actions of the police officers and their immature, unethical stabs at the police chiefs in the past. Really, just fire the police department all together...save the taxpayers the money and headache! Here is an even better idea for those who want the Chief position, get a college degree, stop believing that without a degree you going to move up the tree, cause its not going to happen. Yes, under the English language, using capital letters your shouting, I know this because I have a college education. Try it out, it really works wonders.
yes r.b., you have clearly outed yourself with your posts. also, have you proof read any of your posts professor? your spelling, grammar, and sentence structure is horrendous. your knomledge of the english language is basic, at best. please inform me the name of the university you attended so i dont ever send my children there. brother, if you paid for the level of knowledge you possess, you were robbed. also, i type poorly, not yelling at all. in fact, you would not be worth the extra use of oxygen.
I also encourage psychologist counseling for all the Police Department Officers, I think all of them have PTSD and adjunctment disorder-the inablity to adjunct to change of environment changes. Secondly, it is obvious that the township will likely fire him (chief) as a result of bring legal action against the Township. However, my questions are that with all disciplinary actiions/complaints against these officers, how they haven't been fired. I think Mr. Mertz should have been fired for taking internal department matters outside the department to the AG's office. Mr. Frace has avoid the sword, smart move, however, if he wants the Chief's job then you probably want to show your face around during the day. Mrs. Barclay, well, why she came back is beyond anyone's understanding besides to prove a point of principle, understood and respected. If their ends up being another Police Chief, it would probably be a smart decision to be part of the selection and interviewing process. Doesn't hurt to ask and documentation is everything. Need a little Hawthorne Effect and Chasing the Chesse in the Department, and someone with solid leadership, unbias leadership.
good thing for you there is no psychological testing for an emt, because i wonder how deeply disturbed you must be when they wont even let you volunteer. what disciplinary actions do you speak of? list them please, one or two of the board members filling your head with nonsense? maybe the chief too. first off, knucklehead, the only reason the township has not fired the chief is because he brought a suit against the township. even someone with your limited ability has to realize that is what he wants now. so he can say the reason is retaliation for the suit, not that he is incompetent. secondly, if you knew anything about the law, it was completely legit to have an outside agency conduct the investigation you speak of as it involved a police officer in the township. wasnt this guy found guilty also? no wait, even better, HE CONFESSED!!!!! so you want someone fired for getting a conviction in a criminal case. you are a mental giant. the rest of your rant is unworthy of my time.
You make yourself obvious J.F. and I don't believe that R.B. issues are a result of not being allowed to volunteer nor psychological, but perhaps principle and law...Non profit corporation law of 1988, 15 C.S.A. 5766. We get rid of victims, we have nothing to worry about or just pay them off! Perhaps, in the best interest of the community and residents, I am pretty sure there are 2 Board of Directors seeking the same. How is one psycho and rest are not? Again, the township that is the supreme law and can not be touched...excuse me I meant Mahoning Valley Ambulance. The same (MVA) place that allows perverts as a breeding ground on innocent children and dirty old man to sexually harass members, or perhaps the ex captain that recently resigned, but after allegations of sexual harassment and exortic pornographic material to members, or maybe the allegations of thief by Board of Director from a Board of Director, same director who is alleged to be committing thief-her and her husband objected to survilence cameras in the building, see the minutes and members present for the meeting. Would you like that in testimony, I'd be honored to you with material testimony. But the ...., wouldn't have a previous police report with members of the association for such allegations, and then again the mighty Chairman might be influencing the other departments to do different things. Wouldn't want the election to be lost. Obviously, you are not aware of past actions/incidents prior to current members and R.B. either. Common sense would be if I had a police department asking questions, i'd deny all allegations of any wrong doing-civil or criminal! Talk about smoke and mirrors! Holy shit! Can't you see through there bullshit! He's just an angry member, I could have told you that response was coming! Negative media is always a bad thing...financially supported by the public. Get the correlation yet. Let's not forget the president at the time of R.B.'s termination letter was threatened to sign that letter and yes, I'm sure he'd testify to that. And ever funnier, they have no documentation of there allegations for R.B.'s termination, other then testimony. Yes, I do not deny that I have diarrhea of the finger tips. You asked and I gave them... Just the facts.
It is quite clear that the incompetents are the ones on the board that have brought a lawsuit upon themselves- it is not the other way around. You have extremely convoluted rationalizations for your own actions and the rest of your cohorts.
The firing of a police officer is evidently a lengthy and complicated process that ultimately ends up with an arbitrator- it's not as simple as you would think.
If you look at the history of the Mahoning PD, you see a pattern. What has changed? The only change has been a series of Chief staffing. If the same problems persist after a change of leadership staffing, then the problem is not with the leadership- it is within the staffing of department subordinates. That is the one element that has not been removed from the formula. Remove the current PD officers and replace with new personnel and most likely the department will become more professional. However, as is apparent and illustrated with the Barklay case, the removal of the current officers is not an easy undertaking- otherwise it would have been done years ago.
your first point. wasn't the firing of the last police officer a recommendation of this chief you so praise? and the result? officer got job back. so i guess much like you the chief was wrong.
second, you do see a pattern with the township, but with two members of the board who only serve their own interests. (like the guy who is a supervisor who backed the police officer who was suspended for filing false reports. even went to hearings and told people all the police were bad except the one who was charged. they were just setting this guy up, remember. what happened to that officer, big guy? oh, thats right, HE CONFESSED!!!!!!! so you were wrong again, but still it is all the police departments fault. and lastly, it apparently is easy to remove an officer when he needs to be removed, like the man you backed who was guilty. where is he now? last i heard, driving truck. as for the change to come, this we agree on. but i don't think it is what you were expecting. watch what you wish for, you may get it.
This debate could go on and on- but I have to ask you- if you found out the truth, and the truth proved you wrong, would you be man enough to admit it?
Officer Barklay paid for her mistakes. And on this topic- the Supervisors were calling the shots as they have been doing for years even before your current Chief came on board- as they have been getting away with trampling all over your civil rights much to your ignorance. Unfortunatley for you, with your admission of having to function with half of a brain, you have not been able to figure this out for yourself.
Finally someone has taken a stand against them. BTW- have you ever known a local politician who WASN'T in it for his or her own agenda? Get real.