mgreier@salemnews.net
SALEM TOWNSHIP Winona Fire Chief George Brantingham is questioning whether the township paid all that was owed to his department for services last year.
“We seem to have a discrepancy on what was paid to us last year,” he said.
Brantingham spoke to trustees about the issue at Tuesday night’s meeting, saying the amount the Columbiana County Auditor’s Office told him didn’t match with what the township paid, alleging a shortage of $3,000.
Trustees referred him to Fiscal Officer Dale Davis, who said he’ll look into it.
After the meeting, Davis said the contract with the Winona Fire Department calls for the township to pay $15,000 after the first tax settlement, then $15,000 after the second tax settlement, then the balance of what’s left in the fund Dec. 31. Davis said the township paid $33,265 for last year, but Brantingham is claiming the amount should have been $36,266.
mgreier@salemnews.net
Once again the topic raised by visitors during the Board of Trustees meeting dealt with Constable Dan Valentine, some bringing up his past as an officer in another township and others supporting him.
The two sides at one point were interrupting each other with slightly raised voices going back and forth Tuesday night, forcing Chairman John Wilms to quiet them down so each could have their chance to speak.
“We’re not having a trial here,” he said.
At the end, he thanked them all for coming and for their cooperation.
Valentine was present for all of it, but said he had no comment when approached after the meeting. Trustees also had little to say, with Trustee Ray Heddleson saying after the meeting that it’s all over and done. He said the people can keep coming back, but nothing’s going to change, they’re not getting rid of Valentine.
FRANKLIN SQUARE Salem Township Constable Dan Valentine is back on the job.
Trustees voted Thursday to reinstate him immediately after a brief special meeting. He had been on paid administrative leave since Nov. 12 in response to his Oct. 25 arrest for theft at a liquor store in Columbiana.
Last Friday, he pleaded guilty in Mahoning County Court in Canfield to an amended charge of disorderly conduct, which is a minor misdemeanor, and paid a fine of $100.
Trustee Chair Bill Heston said after talking with legal counsel, “I don’t see any reason why we can’t reinstate Mr. Valentine at this time. We’ve had several letters of support.”
Salem Township Constable Dan Valentine is back on the job.
Trustees voted Thursday to reinstate him immediately after a brief special meeting. He had been on paid administrative leave since Nov. 12 in response to his Oct. 25 arrest for theft at a liquor store in Columbiana.
Last Friday, he pleaded guilty in Mahoning County Court in Canfield to an amended charge of disorderly conduct, which is a minor misdemeanor, and paid a fine of $100.
Trustee Chair Bill Heston said after talking with legal counsel, “I don’t see any reason why we can’t reinstate Mr. Valentine at this time. We’ve had several letters of support.”