LISTEN: Mansfield City Council OKs pay raises, retention bonuses for police; The amazing life of Constance Curtis

Mansfield City Council voted unanimously to approve pay increases and retention bonuses for the city’s police officers in an apparent attempt to stave off manpower loses in an already short-staffed department.

Mayor Tim Theaker declined to say why the legislation needed immediate action. But he did say they have problems with the numbers and the officers.

Stephanie Zader, an At-large council member, echoed that – she said the city is in “dire need of officers.” The Mansfield Police Department is budgeted for 87 sworn officers, five of which are paid by grants. But the department had just 74 officers as of Tuesday.

Of that total, eight are new officers who just graduated from the police academy and haven’t entered field training yet, according to Chief Keith Porch. Of the remaining 66, 21 are supervisors, leaving 45 patrol officers to cover three shifts a day, seven days a week. Porch said his department has at least two officers who may retire this year.

And that roster of 45 is reduced when officers are injured or sick or on leave or vacation. Porch said he also has nine officers who are in the Ohio National Guard or military reserve and are subject to being called to active duty.

The answer for City Council’s quick decision may be in response to recruitment efforts by other law enforcement agencies, including the nearby Wooster Police Department. In fact, Wooster is looking to hire experienced officers and specifically mentions law enforcement personnel from Richland County.

Before the vote took place on Tuesday, Zader was the only member of council to address concerns about a lack of public involvement in the process. But she said she’s spoken to them extensively about the fact that they want to feel safe in their city. She noted that the people she’s spoken to understand that the city needs to do something to correct the issue.

Remembering Constance Curtis

Next, some local history. To celebrate Women’s history month, we’ll be spending the first week of March featuring famous women from our state. Today we’re remembering Constance Jean Curtis – who led one of Ohio’s most intriguing lives.

Constance was born and raised in Marietta. Her father made it a priority to send his children to college.

Constance in particular wanted to go to business school, an uncommon choice for women at the time. Though she initially applied to Marietta College, she was turned down after the president of Marietta College came to her house and told her father they wouldn’t accept black students.

So, Constance ended up at the Ohio State University. She was one of the only women in her class, and the only black woman.

While at Ohio State, Constance became a member of the Inter-Racial Council, and during the 1930s she began organizing for the Democratic Party and the NAACP.

But Constance’s adventures didn’t end there … In 1940, she and a friend went together to see Grapes of Wrath one night at the Ohio Theater, even though black moviegoers were technically not allowed to buy tickets.

An employee at the theater noticed the two friends and tried to stop them from entering. The police were called. But Constance and her friend were prepared.

They had brought a copy of Section 12940 of the Ohio General Code which made discrimination in public places illegal. The police had to let the pair into the theater.

Not long after this incident, Constance helped build Ohio-based civil rights group, the Vanguard League. She also remained active in the Columbus chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality, ran for city council, wrote for various newspapers, and was appointed to the Columbus Human Relations Committee. And these are only a few of her accomplishments.

Malabar hosting Maple Syrup Festival this weekend

Next, an event that you should know about. On Saturday and Sunday on March 5th and 6th, head over to Malabar Farm State Park from noon to 4 p.m. for their annual Maple Syrup Festival.

Experience sugar camp with live historic and modern demonstrations, horse drawn wagon rides, and, of course, maple themed food to try and buy. 

Shirley Ann Parker

Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember Shirley Ann Parker of Centerburg. Shirley was born in Mount Vernon in 1948 and graduated from East Knox in 1967.

She married Roy Parker in 1969 and at the time of his passing, they were together for 47 years. Shirley worked in the upholstery industry and loved watching Roy and their son, Bryan, drag race, hanging out on social media, and her cats and grandcats.

Shirley will be deeply missed by her son, three grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, three brothers; many half-sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate her life.