By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

Tuesday’s was a difficult meeting for members of the Crestline Village Council: another member resigned; allegations were made against the police department and the village General Fund is in the red.

A comment on a Facebook page alleging Crestline police have solicited sexual favors in exchange for not writing tickets has led to Mayor Dave Sharrock investigating the department. No action has been taken as the investigation is ongoing.

Crestline will have another vacant seat on Village Council after Councilman Mike Blaising announced that he would be stepping down from Crestline Council Monday night.

Citing personal reasons Blaising announced that he would be stepping down after 25 years on council effective Feb. 14.

After the meeting Blaising explained in more detail as to why he was stepping down.

“My wife has a number of health issues, and now she just got done with cancer surgery and radiation, and that is something. I have put my 25 years I think it is time to be home a little bit. I wasn’t figuring on it this soon,” Blaising said.

With the move Crestline now has two vacant seats to fill after council member Ryan Mahek announcing his resignation during the Jan. 14 meeting.

Former council member Dave Crokie was back in Council Chambers Monday with a few questions for the mayor.

While addressing Sharrock, Crokie asked if the mayor had made his annual report to council during the first regular meeting. Sharrock responded saying that he did not, but would be issuing his report at the first February meeting.

Crokie then asked what the mayor was doing to bring more business to Crestline.

Sharrock said that he is working with council as well as reaching out to potential businesses to bring business and income into the city.

Crestline will have to wait a little while longer to receive a new police captain after council approved to send the resolution back to the Police, Fire, and Health Committee. While being tried to be passed as an emergency measure Councilman Gene Toy asked Village Administrator Marc Milliron if the measure was part of appropriations to the General Fund to which Milliron said it was not.

After being rejected 5 to1 as an emergency, Allen Laferty proposed that the measure go back to committee, which council approved.

The Crestline Council did approve the ordinance creating the position of Deputy Village Financial Officer 6 to 0. The Deputy Village Finance Officer was created to enable the Village Fiscal Officer to complete their duties in a timely manner.

Crestline Village Council approved obtaining Renwick, Welsh, and Burton LLC for legal counsel. The measure also appoints Jon K. Burton as Village Law Director – Civil and David W. Keller as Village Law Director – Criminal.

During Village Administrator Milliron’s report, he requested a motion to allow the State Auditor to provide fiscal analysis, the cost would be picked up by the State and would allow the auditor to provide analysis and determine the financial issues of Crestline, and provide recommendations to fix the issues.

“It is better for the Village to invite the state in, than to have them knock on the door. This is not an audit,” Milliron said.

Council approved the motion.

Also during Milliron’s report he noted that Norfolk and Southern from Mansfield to Bucyrus would see an increase in traffic on the train tracks by six trains per day. Milliron said that he hoped that the increased rail traffic would bring an increase in revenue for the city.