CRESTLINE, Ohio – Council Member Mike Blaising resigned his seat at the close of the Crestline Village Council meeting Jan. 26, adding to the number of council members who have resigned.
The resignation, effective Feb. 14, was for personal reasons, he said in a short statement.
At the Jan. 12 council meeting, Councilman Ryan Mahek also resigned his council post effective Jan. 31. Councilman Clayton Herold is accepting letters of interest* beginning Feb. 2 with a deadline of Feb. 11 at 4:30 p.m. Interviews for Mahek’s council position will begin the following week.
Councilman Aaron Buckner stated in a previous meeting that he will be moving out of town because of his employment in May or June of this year. He has not yet submitted an official resignation.
This was the first meeting for new councilman Allen Lafferty who replaced Kevin Taylor, who resigned in December. Laferty was chosen by council to fill Taylor’s unexpired term on council Jan. 21. The term expires on Dec. 31, 2017. Laferty is a member of the third generation of his family to live in Crestline. He is a 1973 graduate of Crestline High School and a Vietnam era veteran.
Fiscal analysis
In other business, council approved for the mayor to set up a meeting with the state auditor’s office for a fiscal analysis. “It’s better to ask them to come in than to wait for them to come knocking on the door,” said Councilman Gene Toy.
When the analysis is complete, the auditor will determine the severity of the situation. The village has a deficit in its general fund of $65,000.
Norfolk Southern
Village Administrator Marc Milliron said Norfolk Southern Railway notified the village that there will be an increase in speed on the tracks running past the Sunrise area [crossing State Route 598]. The traffic will increase to six trains per day. Milliron said rail spur growth in that area will increase.
Police Report
Chief Joseph Butler gave an annual report for the Crestline Police Department. For 2014 there were 9,620 calls, 537 mayor court hearings, 202 municipal court hearings, 370 mayor court summons and 512 municipal court summons. Herold requested a quarterly report from the police department and Butler agreed.
Due to a resignation, there is a vacancy on Crestline Village Council. The position will be filled in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 731.43(A)(1) – by election by the legislative authority for the unexpired term. Letters of interest and resumes will be taken starting Feb. 2, 2015. The deadline to submit letters of interest and resumes is 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 11, 2015.
All letters of interest and resumes should be submitted to the attention of Mr. Clayton J. Herold, Council President Pro Tem, 100 North Seltzer Street, Crestline, OH 44827. The preferred candidate will have managerial, government fund accounting, and financial experience. Interviews will be conducted the week of Feb. 16, 2015, and an appointment will be made no later than Feb. 23, 2015.
