McDONALD Deluga, lieutenant clear probation

Stacy Foster resigned from the village Audit Committee.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
McDONALD -- Police Chief Alan Deluga and Lt. Lou Ronghi were appointed permanently to their positions, effective Aug. 1, after serving six-month probationary periods.
Also, Mayor James W. Border promoted Kevin Shiley and Michael Badila Jr. to captain and lieutenant, respectively, in the fire department.
The personnel moves were recommended by council's safety committee and endorsed by the entire council at its meeting Wednesday.
Resignation: In other action, council accepted the resignation of Stacy Foster as chairwoman of the village Audit Committee, an independent citizens group appointed by Border to oversee village finances.
Foster, a daughter of Councilman Thomas J. Hannon, said she resigned, effective immediately, because she would not serve with Richard Harvey on the five-member committee. She said she does not believe Harvey has the best interest of the village at heart and his actions "appear to be designed to create suspicion and harm."
Harvey, who has been politically at odds with Hannon, said he had not seen the letter and deferred comment.
Border, who received Foster's letter just a few minutes before the meeting, said he was disappointed to lose someone of her abilities. However, he believes the committee serves a valuable purpose and said he would move to find a replacement.
Playground equipment: Village Administrator Robert O'Connell said about 30 volunteers who worked several Saturdays to erect new playground equipment in Woodland Park saved the village about $15,000. He said the equipment was opened last Friday.
Border announced that the village has applied for a $50,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for more park equipment and improvements.
Councilman Michael O'Brien said the safety committee recommended that a four-way stop be established at Connecticut Avenue and East Seventh Street and speed bumps be erected at entrances to Woodland Park, both aimed at slowing traffic. Chief Deluga supported the four-way stop.
Deluga announced a crack down on bicycle riders who break traffic laws such as failing to stop at signals or riding without lights at night. He said cyclists will be warned for a first offense but could have their bicycles confiscated for up to 10 days for a second offense, according to village law.