Charleroi councilwoman seeks transparency from police board
By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Some members of Charleroi council are upset with how information is shared regarding the Charleroi Regional Police.
During a business meeting Wednesday, Councilwoman Jeannine Motycki said she feels information is not being properly shared.
In June, the Charleroi Regional Police Board promoted two officers from within.
Officer William Goodwin was promoted to K-9 officer and Officer David Kimball was promoted to detective.
Additionally, part-time officers Jackson Bucy, Walker Bakewell, Howard Rider and Ryan Waggoner were promoted to full-time positions.
Motycki said she learned of the promotions shortly after they were approved, but not from council members who sit on the police board.
“I am not sure why, but our police board committee is not very forthcoming,” Motycki said. “I am tired of getting information from third parties. All of council should know what is going on.”
She said council members who sit on the police board should have discussed the hiring beforehand.
“We should have been given the opportunity to look at our budget to say we can or cannot afford this,” Motycki said. “But, our representatives never mentioned anything to us, before or after it happened.
“When it comes time for police reports, everyone is silent. They say everything is fine. Well, when Charleroi pays the majority of the police budget, I don’t think that is fine. It’s a big deal.”
Currently, Councilman Jerry Jericho, Councilwoman Jody Cheplic and Mayor Ed Bryner represent Charleroi on the police board.
Councilwoman Nancy Ellis is an alternate.
“We are all hearing things second hand, from people on the street, because our representatives are not forthcoming,” Motycki said.
She also brought up a second “situation” during the meeting, but later said she could not elaborate on the issue.
In other business:
Council agreed to move forward with trick or treat from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct 31.
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