mgreier@salemnews.net
SALEM TOWNSHIP Residents pushed trustees on two fronts Tuesday, for not applying for CARES Act money and for continuing to remain status quo on Constable Dan Valentine.
“You guys are just going to sweep it under the table?” Joe Briceland asked.
Briceland was referring to documents provided to trustees at the previous meeting related to Valentine resigning from the Beaver Township Police Department two years ago.
The documents outlined an internal affairs investigation into allegations of workplace sexual harassment, according to pages provided to the Salem News. Valentine wasn’t charged with anything related to the allegations, with no cases found in Mahoning County court online records.
mgreier@salemnews.net
SALEM TOWNSHIP Township trustees confirmed they didn’t request money through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Township resident Johnna Timmons asked during the board meeting Tuesday night if CARES Act money was turned down, saying how much she appreciated the fire department saving their barn and just wondered about the CARES Act money.
“Neither fire department approached us about any needs related to COVID-19,” Trustee Bill Heston said. “We didn’t want to get 500 boxes of hand sanitizer and have it sit here.”
The township is covered by two fire departments, Leetonia and Winona.
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.