July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Dunkirk officer resigns (03/25/08)
By By ROBERT BANSER-
DUNKIRK - Word that veteran police officer and former chief Arnold Clevenger is retiring in May touched off a discussion over whether the city might be able to decrease its full-time police force to save money.
After debating the issue, members of the city council agreed to begin the process of hiring a replacement - but only after Clevenger's resignation becomes effective on May 15. The vote by the council stated that a replacement would be hired based on budgetary considerations.
Police Chief Dane Mumbower told council members Monday that if advertising and hiring procedures are not started until May 15, the new officer will likely not be able to begin work until the fall, due to an extensive testing and screening process for new officers.
Mumbower said that the department would have to make do with four full-time officers and its six reserve officers.
Mumbower said the department could function with just four officers and the reserves, but that it is far from ideal.
"Yes, we've run with four before (in past years before Mumbower was on the department), but I don't know how they ever did it," Mumbower said,
The department has operated with five officers for the past year since budget cuts trimmed the full-time force down from six officers.
Mumbower said Monday that the amount of overtime paid to officers this year is likely to see a big increase after Clevenger's retirement.
Councilman Larry Smith pointed out that if budget trimming for next year becomes necessary, wages and fringe benefits for full-time firefighters and police represent a substantial portion of the city's budgetary expenses. That figure is about $500,000, Smith said.
A motion to allow replacement of Clevenger only after May 15 won unanimous approval from the council members present: Judy Garr, Smith, Tom Johnson and Craig Faulkner.
Clevenger has been a member of the Dunkirk Police Department for more than 20 years, serving as chief for most of that time. Mumbower was appointed to succeed him as chief on Jan. 1, as one of Mayor Ron Hunt's first acts after taking office. Since that time Clevenger has been working as a patrol officer on the late-night shifts.
At Monday night's city council session, Mumbower said, "He's done a good job, and we wish him the best."
In his letter of resignation, Clevenger said, "My decision to retire required a great deal of contemplation and discussion with my family. However, after considering both my personal goals and my continuing journey as an individual, I believe that this is the right decision for me at this time. I have done my best to serve the citizens of Dunkirk for over 22 and a half years, and am proud of my accomplishments."
In other business Monday, council members:
•Unanimously approved setting aside $5,000 as the city's for a $50,000 downtown-planning grant for which the city is applying to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Also council members selected the Muncie firm of Randell Ernstberger Associates to do the study, if the grant is approved.
•Heard a report from Johnson that starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Haskell road will be closed for about four hours while a culvert-drainage project is completed.
•Listened to a report from Johnson that applications for summer park and pool jobs will be accepted until April 23. Johnson said that positions include pool manager, assistant manager, certified lifeguards, concessions stand manager and worker, slide attendant, and park laborer. The applications will be available at city hall, Johnson added.
•Noted that for the first time in several months, city workers were able to read water meters this month. Water department superintendent Dace Mumbower said he is anticipating complaints from water customers, but that the meters typically error on the side of the water customer. Readings with a newly-calibrated meter will be higher, Dace Mumbower said.
•Decided to use funds from the city's Rainy Day fund, Cumulative Capital Improvement fund, and as a last resort, the city's Economic Development Income Tax fund, to pay for city hall repairs, as approved at a previous meeting.
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After debating the issue, members of the city council agreed to begin the process of hiring a replacement - but only after Clevenger's resignation becomes effective on May 15. The vote by the council stated that a replacement would be hired based on budgetary considerations.
Police Chief Dane Mumbower told council members Monday that if advertising and hiring procedures are not started until May 15, the new officer will likely not be able to begin work until the fall, due to an extensive testing and screening process for new officers.
Mumbower said that the department would have to make do with four full-time officers and its six reserve officers.
Mumbower said the department could function with just four officers and the reserves, but that it is far from ideal.
"Yes, we've run with four before (in past years before Mumbower was on the department), but I don't know how they ever did it," Mumbower said,
The department has operated with five officers for the past year since budget cuts trimmed the full-time force down from six officers.
Mumbower said Monday that the amount of overtime paid to officers this year is likely to see a big increase after Clevenger's retirement.
Councilman Larry Smith pointed out that if budget trimming for next year becomes necessary, wages and fringe benefits for full-time firefighters and police represent a substantial portion of the city's budgetary expenses. That figure is about $500,000, Smith said.
A motion to allow replacement of Clevenger only after May 15 won unanimous approval from the council members present: Judy Garr, Smith, Tom Johnson and Craig Faulkner.
Clevenger has been a member of the Dunkirk Police Department for more than 20 years, serving as chief for most of that time. Mumbower was appointed to succeed him as chief on Jan. 1, as one of Mayor Ron Hunt's first acts after taking office. Since that time Clevenger has been working as a patrol officer on the late-night shifts.
At Monday night's city council session, Mumbower said, "He's done a good job, and we wish him the best."
In his letter of resignation, Clevenger said, "My decision to retire required a great deal of contemplation and discussion with my family. However, after considering both my personal goals and my continuing journey as an individual, I believe that this is the right decision for me at this time. I have done my best to serve the citizens of Dunkirk for over 22 and a half years, and am proud of my accomplishments."
In other business Monday, council members:
•Unanimously approved setting aside $5,000 as the city's for a $50,000 downtown-planning grant for which the city is applying to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Also council members selected the Muncie firm of Randell Ernstberger Associates to do the study, if the grant is approved.
•Heard a report from Johnson that starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Haskell road will be closed for about four hours while a culvert-drainage project is completed.
•Listened to a report from Johnson that applications for summer park and pool jobs will be accepted until April 23. Johnson said that positions include pool manager, assistant manager, certified lifeguards, concessions stand manager and worker, slide attendant, and park laborer. The applications will be available at city hall, Johnson added.
•Noted that for the first time in several months, city workers were able to read water meters this month. Water department superintendent Dace Mumbower said he is anticipating complaints from water customers, but that the meters typically error on the side of the water customer. Readings with a newly-calibrated meter will be higher, Dace Mumbower said.
•Decided to use funds from the city's Rainy Day fund, Cumulative Capital Improvement fund, and as a last resort, the city's Economic Development Income Tax fund, to pay for city hall repairs, as approved at a previous meeting.
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