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CPD to hire crime investigator, evidence manager

Friday, March 24, 2017
By CHELSEA MODGLIN, Staff Writer

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale Town Council recently approved creating a part-time crime scene and follow-up investigator position at the Cloverdale Police Department in Ordinance 2017-2.

In addition to investigating crimes, the individual will be responsible for handling and managing evidence and the evidence room. The position is 28 hours per week at $15 per hour, totaling $14,000 per year.

Although Safety Board Adviser Phil Parker said he already had a candidate in mind (Rick Lambert, reserve at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department and quality assurance for Eli Lilly), Marshal Steve Hibler is responsible for hiring.

This position brings the CPD to a total of three full-time officers, two reserve officers, and one part-time investigator.

In other news related to CPD, the council approved the three-year lease of a 2017 Ford Police Interceptor Utility AWD for $23,987.39, with an annual payment of $8,294.47. Marshal Hibler, sporting one of the new uniforms, announced CPD would be transitioning to Ford Explorers in the future.

In other developments:

-- Abandoned vehicles: The council tabled consideration of Ordinance 2017-1, which would amend Ordinance 2007-5 to provide for abandoned vehicles.

-- Boy Scouts: The council approved a local Boy Scout’s request to repaint all the fire hydrants. Clerk-Treasurer Cheryl Galloway said she would supply the paint and brushes.

-- Claims: The council approved claims at a total of $478,447.23, an increase from last month of $146,931.47 and an increase of $62,807.44 from the year’s average.

The increase was due to payments from the general fund for a mini-excavator ($49,600), Midwestern Engineers ($38,500 on the Stardust Road Project), engineer Robert Curry for UV light installation ($14,155), a food and beverage transfer to pay the contractor’s fee for installing the UV lights ($85,175) and a wastewater transfer for the Redevelopment Commission ($19,804.47).

-- Farm ground: The town accepted a bid from Curt Cummings to farm the town’s property for $500.

-- Resolution 2017-4: The council approved Resolution 2017-4, which approved the transfer of $99,330 from the food and beverage fund to install the new UV lights, in a 6-1 vote with Gary Bennington dissenting.

-- 631 Stardust Way: The council approved a bid for the demolition for 631 Stardust Way from Titan Excavating at $12,500. Clerk-Treasurer Galloway said the town would put a lien on the property to recover the cost.

The next Cloverdale Town Council meeting is set for April 11 at 7 p.m. in the Cloverdale Town Hall.

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  • *Minutes of October 11, 2016...Demolition Bids for 631 Stardust Way

    1.Titan Excavating $7,500.00,

    2. Steve Cooper & Sons $15,350.00,

    3. McCullough $9,900.00

    Motion to approve Titan Excavating By Don and seconded by Cindy

    *Banner Graphic article dated March 24, 2017 reports...

    631 Stardust Way: The council approved a bid for the demolition for 631 Stardust Way from Titan Excavating at $12,500.

    Why, may I ask, was this demolition not completed after the acceptance of Councils bid approval on October 11, 2016? Now this Bid has increased $5,000.00.

    Also...

    *Minutes of March 8, 2016..Don Sublett Absent, and I quote..

    "Seal Bids for Farm Land Rental was opened.

    Chad Cummings was $700.00

    Ed Musgrave was $650.00

    Larry made the motion to accept Chad Cummings $700.00 and was 2nd by Cindy. Vote was unanimous."

    *Banner Graphic article dated March 24, 2017 reports that the Town Council on March 14, 2017 -- Farm ground: The town accepted a bid from Curt Cummings to farm the town’s property for $500.

    Why, may ask, Is Council accepting of reduction of $200.00 for the use of the Towns property for Farming? Why is the town property valued $200.00 less than last year?

    Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

    -- Posted by Bless Your Heart on Sat, Mar 25, 2017, at 6:36 PM
    Response by the editor:
    Hello, Bless Your Heart. This is Chelsea Modglin, the reporter who wrote this article. You have some good questions here that I will seek to answer. In response to your question about why this demolition was not completed after the acceptance of a bid on October 11, 2016, the property went to a tax sale just after that bid was accepted and the demolition could not therefore move forward. The current owner was then notified of the impending demolition, but by that time, the bids had expired and the demolition had to be re-advertised. As to your other question, the council had considered re-advertising the farm ground bid, but on the advice of an audience member decided to accept it. Thank you for your questions and concerns, and if you have any others feel free to contact me at cmodglin@bannergraphic.com.

  • Bless your heart, you've raised some important questions.

    Sounds like Cloverdale Town Board is making up the rules as they go. This is incredibly fishy. When it involves money transactions, you should be transparent. Hmmmmm.....the term "follow the money" mean anything?

    -- Posted by captain crunch on Sat, Mar 25, 2017, at 6:51 PM

  • Good work, Bless Your Heart! Thank you for keeping track! I sure wish more voters would pay attention to what goes on between elections. Too many voters are happy with the status quo.

    -- Posted by letspulltogether on Sun, Mar 26, 2017, at 10:39 AM

  • Cloverdale Town Council approved creating a part-time crime scene and follow-up investigator position at the CPD, Ordinance 2017-2. Investigating crimes, be responsible for handling and managing evidence and the evidence room. Position is 28 hours per week at $15 per hour, totaling $14,000 per year.

    Per Safety Board Adviser Phil Parker.. This position brings the CPD to a total of three full-time officers, two reserve officers, and one part-time investigator.

    Wait a minute, 3 Full time officers and 2 reserve officers, not to mention, this new P/T officer and the residents are supposed to be happy about this?

    When is this town council going to give its residents 24/7 coverage? Instead of purchasing new uniforms, leasing vehicles, hiring a P/T officer for a job one of the full time officers were and can perform, start giving this town the protection it needs. Mr. Parker and/or Marshall Hibler create a 24/7 police schedule for this town. When was the last time you saw a police vehicle cruising your neighborhood?

    Wake up Council!

    -- Posted by cowgirl46135 on Sun, Mar 26, 2017, at 12:11 PM

  • Chelsea Modglin: Thank you but you missed the point. Also was this information you are stating published in the Banner Graphic? The point is why did the price of this demolition increase $5,000.00 in a matter of 5 months and not one council member questioned this increase. Regarding the Farm Land Rental: I am not comfortable with the decision by the Board being based on an audience members suggestion.

    Why are you, Ms Modglin, editorializing? You are a reporter who ethically should remain impartial.

    -- Posted by Bless Your Heart on Sun, Mar 26, 2017, at 2:14 PM
    Response by the editor:
    I'm sorry, I was answering your question about why the demolition did not occur right after the bid was accepted. We like to answer our readers' questions when they have them, and doing so is neither editorializing or biased. The purpose of an editorial is to give an opinion, which I have not done, and that I answered a reasonable question is not biased, but good reporting. In fact, part of our purpose for allowing comments is to answer our readers' questions and to understand their concerns.

  • Captain Crunch nailed it. Follow the money. At least one of the Cummings was employed as an ad-hoc employee of the town. Also they were involved with the Lafayette St. road grinding incident last year that gave the Clerk Treasurer and the Town Manager a new coating for their driveway. Follow the money...

    -- Posted by CdaleResident on Sun, Mar 26, 2017, at 3:33 PM

  • There are many great points noted by the previous posters. But, in my humble opinion, there is one that stands out more than the rest, transparency. If the board would be more transparent the Banner Graphic reporter would not have to interject and "clarify" the writings of said reporter. This forum is not, again in my opinion, the place for the press to interject thier opinions. I feel what is at issue here is that this board, clerk and town manager do not have a good track record when it comes to transparency or in other terms, telling the real reasons for doing favors for each other or their friends. They are on this board and employed by the town to serve the people of Cloverdale. Not to line each others pockets. As was was stated prior, "follow the money".

    -- Posted by FormerBoard on Sun, Mar 26, 2017, at 6:32 PM

  • The real question here on the demolition of the property was after it was advertise how many bids were turned in.

    answer ONE.

    How many people turned in bids for the rental property?

    answer ONE. What is the Town to do? keep paying money for advertising and still get the same participation.

    The purpose for sealed bids is for the Town to get the best price if no one bids the Town has to accept what it gets.

    I think the report is justify answering your questions after all she is at the meetings you are not.....

    The problem is everyone except Former Board is out to bring this Town Down and Out. Be honest you dont want to see this town succeed. My suggestion to you is move!!!

    You will never be happy here in the CLOVERDALE ACHIEVERS

    -- Posted by Franklinheart on Mon, Mar 27, 2017, at 9:21 AM

  • Just a point of clarification for "clerl". On bids, sealed or otherwise, the town always has the option to not accept any bid. The point is that it does not make sense that the board accepted a "bid" lower than what was paid last year (farming lease). Or to accept a bid for a higher cost for the same work that was bid on 5 months prior (demo work). Calm down and work as professionals.

    -- Posted by FormerBoard on Mon, Mar 27, 2017, at 11:04 AM

  • True FormerBoard but as know its better to get something than nothing on the farm ground and I do believe i read the town will get the money back for the demolition (LIEN). so whats the beef?

    -- Posted by Franklinheart on Mon, Mar 27, 2017, at 1:06 PM

  • Cherylk, what and who are the cloverdale achievers? How do you become one?

    I thought your suggestion to Bless Your Heart to just move was harsh. Basically you are saying no one should question the towns decisions and motives. That's not how it works....sorry. Cloverdale is struggling. No new business, no new industry, no new housing,infrastructure issues mounting. I noticed the Cloverdale Fire Dept's request for additional funding was denied. Yet cpd is spending excessively, in my opinion.

    Also Cherylk, how do you know Bless you heart doesn't attend the meetings? Hmmmmmmmm

    -- Posted by captain crunch on Mon, Mar 27, 2017, at 4:32 PM

  • Leins are only good if someone pays them off otherwise the town's money is tied up. I just can't understand why the board follows the town clerk and town manager husband around like they do. Now I hear they are picking at the fire department. Are they planning on starting their own fire department again? That didn't work out very well last time from what I remember. I'm sure it will be ok because we will have the best dressed Cloverdale State Police Department. I wonder how many more of the Sheriff's friends the town will hire.

    -- Posted by CdaleResident on Mon, Mar 27, 2017, at 8:03 PM

  • Wow again such negative attitudes. This town will never shake the reputation it got 10 years ago when the audience was video each other and yelling and screaming out of control. Don't you all understand what that has done to our sweet town. Don't you understand what this Town could be if we all come together and work as one. Captain Crunch don't even live in our state let alone in our town. Whispering Winds has one foundation in and a new house will be going up in the next week and it is sold. two other house will be built within this year and a friend is buying two more lots.

    Stardust Rd is going under a major construction. Lafayette St is done with storm drains repaving and new sidewalks. That Captain crunch is infrastructure. New businessess like the car lot that is opening soon and the designer Den that has a new business and Amp'd hair studio. All new businesses with more to come after stardust rd is complete.The Town is finally getting aggressive with homes in sad shape. The police are making arrest everyday from warrants and drug charges. The Fire department just received $20,000 plus for equipment and you all are still mad. REALLY. and to attack the banner Graphic reporter for answering your questions OMG are you democrat from Washington cause you sure act like it. I said it before If you can't find anything good about this town move cause no one is holding you here. You can question what they are doing but if you do come, come with solution. and finally bless her heart use to work for the Town. You think because you hide behind your made up names we don't know who you are is amusing to me.

    -- Posted by Franklinheart on Tue, Mar 28, 2017, at 10:24 AM

  • Talk about hiding behind names Crerl... Ha! Where were you when the town was being torn apart those years ago you speak of!

    What makes you think I don't live in town. I wouldn't be posting if I didn't care about "our sweet little town"

    Shame on you! You are being disrespectful and defensive! Not to mention deflecting!

    Like I said before...Follow the money!

    No reply necessary clerlk. Your previous post exposed your true character.

    -- Posted by captain crunch on Tue, Mar 28, 2017, at 2:24 PM

  • I hope these comments are remembered come voting time. The town board should want to keep their town members, not tell them to move if they aren't happy. Maybe they would be happy with a different town board..

    -- Posted by Cloverdaleproud on Tue, Mar 28, 2017, at 5:24 PM
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