CRESTLINE — Crestline Village Council approved the hiring of a new police officer and learned of the commendations of two other officers during its meeting Monday evening.
The vote for a resolution to confirm Mayor Joy Miley’s appointment of Trey Hecht was unanimous.
“He will make a great addition to our department,” Police Chief Jeff Shook said.
Shook also read commendations for two of his officers from Crawford County Prosecutor Matthew Crall.
“Travis Jeffers was commended for his role in the investigation on the Wesley Kinkead rape case,” Shook said.
In the letter, Crall said that although Jeffers lacked the experience a case like the Kinkead case requires, he showed excellent decision-making abilities and worked well on the investigation with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.
The case ended a few weeks ago with Kinkead being sentenced to life in prison without eligibility for parole for 50 years.
Shook noted the investigation also led to the prosecution and conviction of the mother of the children involved in the case.
Shook said Officer Jason Kitzmiller was commended for his service to the village when he was given the difficult task of being in charge of the department after former police chief Joseph Butler was placed on leave and before Shook was hired as the acting chief.
Also, during the meeting, Crestline resident Bruce Potter came to the meeting to inquire about the vacancy on the council since Miley moved into the position of mayor after the resignation of Allen Moore.
“Is there a vacant seat on the council or not and if so, are we going to get to vote or do you appoint someone,” Potter asked.
Village Solicitor Rob Ratliff said the seat is still Miley’s since there is only one year left in Moore’s term of mayor that Miley stepped into when he resigned.
“The seat is still her seat and will remain vacant until a mayor is elected next year,” Ratliff said.
Ratliff said Miley will then move back into her position as council president unless she decides to run for the position of mayor and is elected.
In other council business, Crestline Village Administrator John Rostash said the new village website now is up and running.
The updated village website may be viewed here.
“We went live today, which is very exciting,” Rostash said. “We are working on getting new and updated information on the site for residents.”
Rostash said the village planning commission met Dec. 6 and denied an application by a person wanted to open a storage facility on Main Street.
“We are working with the owner to open his storage facility at a better location,” Rostash said.
He said an application filed by a tax preparation service to open at 270 Heiser Court was approved.
The next council meeting is Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Crestline Village Administration Building.