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Council reinstates funeral escorts in Willard
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By Jane Ernsberger
Times-Junction News Editor
Service cuts were inevitable with funding cuts and are visible in a close look at the City of Willard’s appropriations for 2012. Some of those cuts have not been favored by members of Willard City Council, especially the elimination of funeral escorts by police officers.
“The state cuts have been deep,” noted Willard City Manager Brian Humphress. “We do have a carryover, but for the month of January, we’ve spent $300,000 more than we took in. We came up with those cuts based on what Council told us were the lowest priority.”
Willard City Council President Greg Davidson said he had some people make comments to him concerning the service cuts which had been as a result of the 2012 appropriations.
“I think it’s a worthy discussion when the finance committee meets,” he noted.
Council member Josh Gerber asked Humphress if there was a way the services could be listed with their costs so council could actually see what they took from the budget.
Humphress noted cuts were made in all departments. “We cut wages by 2-percent across the board. In some departments even more, but 2-percent at the start.”
Funeral escorts remained the bone of contention in budget discussions between city council and the city manager.
“In order to have funeral escorts and maintain patrol, I’d have to bring another officer in on overtime,” noted Humphress.
Davidson said the police department has used officers who are already on duty and on patrol to conduct a funeral escort. He did question the use of overtime.
“In the past 10 years, you mean we have had to call in people for funeral escorts?”
“No,”?Humphress stated. “Right now we are three people short. The top priority council gave me, and one of the top three residents stated, was maintaining patrol in residential areas. We lose two officers on patrol for approximately an hour.”
“Won’t bad guys know there won’t be any police protection in Ward I?” was the question posed by Willard Mayor Todd Shininger. “If you’re going to run drugs into Willard, there’s no police protection on the streets. They’re at the funeral.”
Council member David Sattig was at one time the chief of police in Willard. He was asked to provide insight.
If officers were busy with other duties when he was the police chief, Sattig said there wasn’t an escort provided.
Council member Ricky Branham put the issue to a vote to continue funeral escorts. The decision by Willard City Council was unanimous.
“I do want again to reiterate that I?cannot maintain the level of patrol you stated you wanted if this is reinstated,”?Humphress warned.
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