CRESTLINE ― Hours after Crestline Police Chief Joseph Butler turned in his resignation, Crestline Village Council met for its regularly scheduled meeting.
Council member Gene Toy expressed concerns about the council approving the former chief’s resignation.
“It bothers me that he said in his statement that was released today by his attorney that he ‘involuntarily’ resigns his position,” Toy said. “No one forced him to resign.”
Toy said a hearing was scheduled for Monday evening for the chief and that council could have let him keep his job.
“We did not get the chance to have the hearing,” Toy said.
Village solicitor Rob Ratliff said the wording may have been used in Butler’s statement because of future legal action he may be planning to take against the village.
“Council is not approving the resignation,” Ratliff said. “Council is approving the mayor’s acceptance of his resignation.”
Council voted unanimously to approve Mayor Joy Miley’s acceptance of Butler’s resignation.
Council member Allen Laferty said the process of hiring a permanent replacement for Butler’s position will begin in January. New Washington Police Chief Jeff Shook is the interim police chief in Crestline until a person is hired to fill the position.
Shook said, with the hiring of Paige Davis as a part-time dispatcher along with the four full-time dispatchers already in place, the department is back to full staffing for dispatchers.
Although no hearing took place regarding Butler’s employment, council adjourned into executive session to discuss the issue at the end of the regular meeting.
In other business, council approved a resolution to confirm Miley’s appointment of Sherry Lynn Winch as the village’s fiscal officer. An ordinance to allow the fiscal officer to reside outside of the village limits also was approved.
The next council meeting is Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Crestline Administrative Building.