Rockford OKs deal for chief to take job

ROCKFORD - Village councilors on Tuesday approved a contract to appoint police chief Paul May as the first school resource officer (SRO) of Parkway Local Schools.

Council president Ron Searight said several councilors met with Parkway school board members in May to discuss the contract. Village solicitor Ross Finke assisted officials in hammering out a deal.

"We've had numerous meetings and we finally came up with an agreement between the safety committee, Ross and the Parkway school board," Searight said. "We've got a contract we would like to approve."

Village officials refused to provide a copy of the contract to The Daily Standard even though they had just voted on it amid a public meeting. "I don't know that it would be public record," Finke said.

Village clerk Lisa Kuhn said Parkway school board members are slated to vote on it at their meeting next week.

Asked if the contract is finalized, councilors said their action constituted a first step toward ratification.

"I'm not trying to hide it from you, but I don't want a version out there that eventually we don't even sign," Finke said

Pending the contract approval, councilors are eyeing three potential candidates to replace May.

On April 4, councilors after executive session passed a motion to create a contract designating May as a long-term SRO at Parkway Local Schools.

Although the details of the contract haven't been released to the newspaper, May after the meeting said he would still be considered a Rockford officer.

He said he's "just stepping down as chief to assume the SRO position."

May also said he would be armed while on duty as SRO.

Councilor Chris Heitkamp had said Samantha Wehe, Patrick Minnich and Rockford Police Sgt. Bryan Stetler are under consideration for the police chief position.

Wehe is a Mercer County Sheriff's Office deputy, according to the sheriff's office website.

Interviews were scheduled to start May 30, Heitkamp had said.

May said he would like to start as SRO before school starts this fall.

"The priority is the safety of the people in the facility. I'll be moving around all day, checking every possible thing, assisting with discipline if need be, checking visitors … and being visible the whole time," May had said. "I'll take over the security for (sporting events). I'm not sure exactly where it's going to go, I would like to eventually, once I get the SRO certification, help with bus transports."

The school has never had a fully-designated SRO but police officers have made appearances there in the past.

"There isn't one incident that has caused this to jump," May had said. "We've been slowly working toward this for three, four or five years. I think the whole country is starting to see a need to have an officer in the school, especially as big as our school is."

Once May assumes the SRO position, the police department would have three full-time law enforcement officials, including May, and can hire up to five part-time officials.

In other business, councilors heard first reading of an ordinance levying assessments for unpaid property maintenance fees, although Kuhn said council didn't have an amount tabulated yet.

Councilors also gave first reading of an ordinance establishing salaries for council and the mayor. The mayor would earn $300 per month and council members would earn $200 per month.

The rates would not take effect until Jan. 1, 2024.

Kuhn said she didn't know how much of an increase the new rates would reflect.

After the meeting, village administrator Aaron Temple said the majority of the buildings that housed Wildfire Bar and Grill and DJ Automotive were torn down. Temple said one of the property owners, Kevin Hague, is paying for the demolition, although he didn't know the dollar amount.

Under new business, mayor Amy Jospeh voiced concerns about residents not respecting the park and failing to pick up after themselves.

"One thing I want to say about the park is can people pick up after themselves?" Joseph asked. "People could help pick up after themselves and respect what we have."

"It's a really nice park and unfortunately there are people acting like idiots, for lack of a better word," Temple said. "I have better words, but I'll stick with idiots."

Councilors also,

• heard Rockford Community Days is set fro June 16-17.

• learned how the village handled the boil advisory last week.

• approved transferring $15 from the general fund to the Franklin Street fund for the second quarter transfer.

• heard Temple report swimming is permitted at the pond, although there is no lifeguard.

The next village council meeting is 7:30 p.m. June 20 at the village hall.