City Cuts Two More Employees

Chief Lamb Vehemently Defends His Officers

By Pattie Cox
pcox@garrardcentralrecord.com

An executive session that followed an already lengthy regular meeting returned sad news again for those employed by the City of Lancaster.

In a statement collectively authored by members of the council, Chris Davis expressed with remorse the dreaded news that additional personnel cuts would be necessary in order to balance the budget.

“...the City Council has recommended immediate cuts to this year’s budget including termination of certain positions. These are not layoffs. The City council believes, after intense scrutiny, that the city must not only address the immediate financial straits but must ensure that the long-term fiscal health of the Lancaster community be examined for lasting efficiency,” the statement reads.

But the drama did not end there.

With a motion to accept the statement and proceed with the necessary steps, and then close out the meeting with a motion to pay the monthly bills, an angry Chief of Police Ron Lamb rose to his feet.

Knowing full well that his department would most likely be the first hit since payroll for the police department comes from the general fund, the hardest hit fund during the economic crisis, Lamb wanted specifics.

“Give me something... These people are citizens of the community. Do we have cops or not?... At least have the backbone and the nerve to tell me something.”

City Attorney Justin Genco spoke up in an attempt to take control of the situation but Lamb would have none of it.

“You don’t run me,” Lamb replied angrily while pointing toward Genco.

“The Mayor will discuss this with you personally,” Genco said.

But Lamb was not finished with his tirade in defense of his officers. “You stuck me last time. Stick me again but be a man about it...”

By this time Genco was not much calmer than Lamb.

“You’re not allowed to talk about personnel decisions in open session,” Genco said. “If you would calm down, you can talk to the mayor about it. I’m just not going to put up with this s__t...That’s why you go into executive session.”

By Tuesday morning Mayor Don Rinthen had made the decision as to who would be terminated but he would not give specifics.

“I only have to tell you positions and titles, not names,” Rinthen said.

However the next two police officers in line are Chris Sizemore and Billy Beavers. Both have been let go along with another administrative staff member, Lisa Domidion, who, in two weeks, will go from full-time with benefits to part-time and no benefits.

Although Rinthen agreed to proceed with the council’s recommendations, he said the action was not enough to cover the shortfall. Without raising taxes, a measure the council shoots down every time, the City will continue to struggle to stay above water, he said.

In fact a state recommended increase in tax on life insurance premiums from 6 percent to 13 percent, a one-time-only tax, that is estimated to bring in about $24,000 yearly, was unanimously shot down during Monday night’s meeting, citing the amount as insignificant.

Maggie Morris, Lancaster’s newest council member, feels like it would discourage people from buying life insurance and ultimately protecting their families.

“It’s just a scary tax,” Morris said.

In Other City Business

•Ordinance 10-1 which establishes fire department pay rates for drills ($14.50), runs  ($10) and time worked on site ($7 per hour) was approved with the second reading Monday night.

•The first reading of Resolution 10-2, which establishes mitigation measures in preparation for the building of a new water plant, was also approved. According to Rinthen, it is just another one of many steps in the process toward acquiring funding for the much needed new structure.

•Approved the first reading of Resolution 10-3 which establishes the National Incident Management System as the standard for incident management in Lancaster.

NIMS is designed to provide a consistent nationwide approach for all levels of government to work together effectively and efficiently in the areas of prevention, preparation, response and recovery from domestic incidents.

Emergency Management Director Wendell Hatfield also reported that a $3,000 grant will provide funding for Project Lifesaver, a program using a receiver and bracelet transmitter to locate Alzheimer’s patients and mentally challenged, autistic and elderly citizens.

Additional funding is still needed to pay for initial training and with the county agreeing to contribute $375 toward that end, Hatfield asked the city for the same.

Despite the city’s financial woes, Brenda Powers made the motion to amend the budget and provide the funding while Chris Davis seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

•Despite the City’s bleak financial situation, the second and final meeting to discuss the feasibility of a local aquatic center is scheduled for Tuesday night in the City’s chamber.

“It is important as a city to look beyond our current crisis and grow, Councilman Bret Baierlein said.

•Councilman Jimmy Crutchfield’s resignation due to serious health issues was accepted unanimously but regretfully.

•Farmers’ Market board members Kirby Overman and Virgil Clark were on hand to ask for the council’s permission to beautify the four entrances to the city with flowers this year. The project is being funded by a $1,000 grant obtained by Farmers’ Market President Maria Turner and will involve a Brownie troop. Overman and Clark also advised the council about the upcoming season that should begin in early June. Farmers’ Market vendors will gather with homegrown produce and meats in the Family Dollar parking lot on Lexington Street this year as opposed to the empty lot across from Chevron Foodmart on W. Maple Avenue.

•Approved Greg Burnside, Michael Dailey, Tammy Ellis, Lamont Hocker, Amy Logan, Josh Messer, Danny Middleton, Jeff Moss and Mike Poirier as board members for the Jaycees Ball Park.

•Jeff Hall with the Garrard County Sports Club requested use of the city’s shooting range for all of its certified instructors. The measure would require the release of keys to more than one person and could interfere with local law enforcement and fire department training schedules. With that in mind, council members decided to table any action until the associated liabilities can be determined.

•Vanessa Hines with Air Evac, Junction City, was on hand to explain how a payroll-deduction membership program could save thousands of dollars on fees associated with a single trip in an Air Evac emergency-transportation helicopter. Rinthen agreed to set up a time for Hines to meet with employees who might be interested in the program.

•The next regular meeting is April 5 at 7 p.m.