Police chief urged to attend one meeting a month

A motion was approved at Monday’s Onaway City Commission meeting requesting police chief James Gibson present a report at the first meeting of each month. While the motion was made by commissioner Bernie Schmeltzer and seconded by Jessie Palmer, Mel Perkins initiated the discussion, which lasted several minutes.

The board has requested Gibson present a police report on the happenings of the department. The police report is already listed on each agenda as the sixth item of business. Perkins was disturbed that Gibson did not have a written report for the board Monday, and that he was not there to present to one “I don’t think it’s much for us to ask for,” said Perkins. “We want some accountability, at least a schedule of when he is supposed to be working.”

GIBSON WAS not at the first meeting in November because he was transporting a prisoner. The police chief was at the December 20 meeting. Schmeltzer agreed with

Mel that a report should be made available to the commission, although he doesn’t believe it has to be written, or include statistics, such as how many citations were issued or arrests were made. Perkins wanted the city manager or mayor to deliver a message “that this is not acceptable.” Perkins asked how many times a report was provided in 2004 and Schmeltzer said “a couple.” “It couldn’t take more than 20 minutes to give us a reasonable report. Why can’t we get a reasonable recap of what has happened – 12 times a year is all we ask,” said Perkins.

PALMER SAID, “the statement is, he needs to be here, unless he has an excused absence.” Schmeltzer said providing a report is not in Gibson’s job description but it is one of the requirements. A motion by Perkins died for a lack of support when the commissioner asked for a written report from Gibson. A simpler motion that Gibson present a report at the first meeting of the month was accepted and approved with a unanimous vote. Mayor Gary Wregglesworth said, “We have to do something to make sure he’s going to be here.” Gibson could not be reached to offer a comment on the issue. The next meeting of the commission is January 17 at 5:30 p.m.