Times Leader Staff Writer
T-L File Photo/SCOTT McCLOSKEY
DURING A July press conference Martins Ferry Police Chief John McFarland, right, and Mayor John Davies talk about why the city decided to fire Officer Tim Starkey. He was rehired recently after an arbitrator ruled in his favor.
MARTINS FERRY The city rehired a Martins Ferry police officer who was fired for sharing a social media post about the Black Lives Matter movement that city leaders deemed inappropriate.
But it appears the city did not have a choice in the matter, according to statements made by Mayor John Davies.
Last July, Officer Tim Starkey lost his job after the post came to the attention of Davies and Police Chief John McFarland. The decision to fire Starkey was made public during a press conference held in front of the city building.
Every community has its leaders, influencers, and examples of gifted and giving people. The greater Kenosha County area has always had more than its share of these people. But, time is relentless, and the past year has seen a number of these exemplars left us.
The light of our community is dimmed by their loss. This is, by no means, a complete list of those people, but here are some of those giving and influential people our community has lost in the past 12 months.
Gary Kaddatz
Two-term trustee for the Village of Paddock Lake, Gary Kaddatz passed away Dec. 31, 2019 at age 68.
After over 50 years in the force, Watertown police chief retires rep-am.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from rep-am.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Williams said the death of Atwell, a former police officer, was the biggest loss of what had already been a tough run for the city during the pandemic. According to Williams, about 20% of city staff have contracted COVID-19 and the city has yet to receive any doses of the vaccine.
“While we don’t have as many first responders, if you did a ratio of first responders to calls answered we do just as many and so our folks are just as at risk as others, so it is disappointing we haven’t been able to get them the vaccine yet,” said Williams.
Some motorists in Latrobe who were pulled over for minor violations last week got a warning — and a gift card, instead of a ticket. In the spirit of Christmas, the city police department used community donations to buy 50 Shop ‘n Save supermarket gift cards and handed them out