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Medicare Check-up coming Jays best Lady Green in soccer, to Van Wert, p3 p6 The ELPHOS ERALD D Telling The Tri-County’s Story Since 1869H 50¢ daily www.delphosherald.com Wednesday, October 9, 2013 Delphos, Ohio Council upset over lack of communication BY NANCY SPENCER Osting asked why no communica- first things we looked at and I think testing process to fill his position. the city and the bargaining unit. Herald Editor tion has been forthcoming. we may have the same problem or Acting Chief Kevin Streets was At the Sept. 16 meeting, Meyer [email protected] “We are getting zero communi- worse.” one of the three firefighters who gave Delphos City Council a list cation from the administration,” he Safety Service Director Greg received layoff papers on Friday. of proposals the bargaining unit DELPHOS — City administra- said. “I believe you had this plan Berquist apologized for not inform- Berquist said the Civil Service and city administration recently col- tion was taken to task Monday for laid out from the beginning. We all ing council in a more timely manner testing could not occur for at least laborated on to reduce costs by lack of communication following gave suggestions and none were and said the administration is trying 30 days. The notice for the testing $30,000 through year’s end. layoffs of city employees on Friday taken.” to plug a hole in the city’s budget so will go out today. The list included eight hours fur- afternoon. Auditor Tom Jettinghoff, the the year ends in the black. Once a chief is chosen, an empty lough time per pay period for all fire Jim Knebel, standing in for one who brought the matter to the “The administration began the full-time firefighter’s position will department bargaining unit employ- Council President Kim Riddell, told floor, said he had also offered sev- process to reduce expenses through need to be back-filled from those ees, which would generate approxi- the administration it was unaccept- eral ideas of trimming expenses that the end of the year several weeks who were laid off. mately $5,000. The fire chief would able that council members find out would have avoided much of the ago,” he said. “We began with the Knebel questioned if Marion and cover the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. shift and about such actions by reading the layoff and his ideas did not get a furloughs on Sept. 29, then the lay- Washington townships will consider a respective employee would finish newspaper. response. He also questioned if the offs in the service departments and contracting with Delphos for fire the 24-hour shift from 4 p.m. to 8 “Is there some reason we aren’t layoffs in the fire and police depart- the four layoffs this past week.” and rescue service with so few bod- a.m. being notified about these things?” ments would actually save the city Mayor Michael Gallmeier said ies available. In the event an employee takes Knebel asked. as much as Berquist first thought. the administration had asked for Berquist said he had no idea time off, the fire chief would cover 8 Several other council members “With the auxiliary gone, we guidance from council and got no what the townships were thinking a.m. to 4 p.m., an employee working were also concerned. are going to pay the full-time guys response. or going to do. He added he had 4 p.m. to midnight would work at “We got an e-mail seven hours overtime at the full rate if someone Fire Chief Dave McNeal said he tried to talk with the fire bargain- straight time, saving overtime costs, after the paperwork was delivered,” is sick or has vacation,” Jettinghoff gave his notice of retirement last ing unit and did not get a favorable and then work midnight to 8 a.m. at Councilman-at Large Josh Gillespie said. “I just don’t think we are going week in hopes of saving a full-time response. the appropriate overtime rate. said. to see that much savings in this firefighters job. Now the city will Firefighter Cory Meyer took the Councilman-at-Large Kevin case. The overtime was one of the need to enlist the Civil Service podium to address issues between See COUNCIL, page 12 Upfront Council taps Bowersock Delphos sets interim chief of police Trick-or-Treat BY CYNTHIA YAHNA Herald Correspondent Delphos Mayor [email protected] “Since we are not Michael Gallmeier has a full-time (police) announced Trick-or-Treat ELIDA — The Elida vil- for 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31. lage council meeting was department, many called to order by Mayor times the depart- Veterans to Ron Klopfenstein on Tuesday. ment office is not remove flags The mayor told coun- manned; however, cil he has appointed Greg The Delphos Veterans Bowersock as acting police during regular Council will remove flags chief during the interim. from the graves of area vet- business hours, erans at 9 a.m. Saturday. “As you all know, Mr. the office staff Anyone wishing to Hollis resigned as chief of help should meet at the police and his last day was at town hall can VFW post on Fourth and Sept. 24. I have quite a few Canal streets by 9 a.m. In applications coming in,” assist people.” the event of rain, it will Klopfenstein said. be held one week later. The village police Ron Klopfenstein Flags will be disposed department provides law Elida Mayor of at 7 p.m. on Monday enforcement with one full- at the American Legion time officer and three part- hall on State Street. The time officers. Bowersock is firmed the village would public is invited to the the full-time officer. be responsible if any addi- Fire station hosts kindergarten tour flag disposal program. “Since we are not a full- tional expenses are required Anyone with flags to time (police) department, during construction because Franklin Elementary School kindergarten students in Cindy Binkley’s class be disposed of can drop many times the department it is the village’s project. toured the Delphos Fire Department on Tuesday at part of Fire Prevention Week them off at the VFW or office is not manned; how- “We can increase or activities. Above: Michael Wilshusen takes the driver’s seat in a fire truck. Below: American Legion posts ever, during regular busi- decrease costs as we deem Firefighter/Paramedic Cory Meyer explains where equipment is stored. (Delphos before Monday so they ness hours, the office staff necessary,” Fessler added. Herald/Nancy Spencer) can be properly retired. at town hall can assist peo- Fessler also reported on ple,” Klopfenstein added. the Miller property that is Veterans Council Councilman Scott waiting to be demolished. Fessler reported that he had “The asbestos has been meets today received communication removed and the next step The Delphos Veterans from Austin Klaus about is for the East Dominion Council will conduct its the discussion last meet- Gas Company to complete fall meeting at 8 p.m. ing on the Safe Walks to their work. When the work today at the VFW hall at School. is done, they will then pro- Fourth and Canal streets. “Klaus spoke with a rep- ceed with the demolition of The purpose of the resentative from ODOT and the property,” he said. meeting will be to discuss according to them, the grant The next scheduled vil- Veterans Day activities money will cover all costs,” lage council meeting will and any other business Fessler said. begin at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22. that may come up. However, ODOT con- All Delphos veterans are welcome to attend. Rotary/Kiwanis health screening Veterans sought Saturday will be the final opportunity to take advantage to apply for bonus of the Delphos Rotary/Kiwanis Health Screening Program Information submitted from 7-9 a.m. in the Jefferson High School cafeteria. VAN WERT — Van Wert County Veterans Services is A 12-hour fast prior looking for Persian Gulf vets to apply for a bonus. Veterans to testing is required. Services Officer Barry Johns stated that he is reminding all veterans that served during the period of Aug. 2, 1990 Forecast - Mar. 3, 1991. — whether you served in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations or anywhere else in the world during Sunny skies these dates, to apply for the Ohio Veterans Bonus before today and Dec. 31, 2013. clear tonight. If you served during the period of Mar. 19, 2003 - Dec. Highs in the 31, 2011 in the Iraq Theater of Operations or anywhere lower 70s and else in the world during these dates, you have until Dec. lows in the 31, 2014, to apply mid 40s. See page 2. If you served anytime after Oct. 7, 2001, in the Afghanistan Theater of Operations or anywhere else in the Index world during these dates you can apply. There is no end Obituaries 2 date at this time. State/Local 3 As of Sept. 20, Van Wert County has submitted 187 Politics 4 applications and has received $149,952.15 in payments Community 5 since the program began. Sports 6-8 Any Veteran who has not applied for this benefit from Business 9 the State of Ohio should contact the local Veterans Service Classifieds 10 Office. TV 11 Van Wert County Veterans Service Office is located in World News 12 the basement of the courthouse on Main Street. For ques- tions and/or help with the application, call 419-238-9592 for an appointment. 2 2 – The Herald Wednesday, October 9, 2013 www.delphosherald.com For The Record Police charge VWHS student OBITUARIES The Delphos in Homecoming incident Herald Staff Report Vol.