WARREN Council will rule on splitting police, fire issues

A councilman is concerned about the prospects for passage of the joint income tax.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Two pieces of legislation on Tuesday's council agenda would split a safety income tax on the March primary ballot into separate issues for the police and fire departments.
Councilman James A. Pugh, D-6th, known as "Doc," is sponsoring the legislation, which would place two separate issues of 0.25 percent each for the police and fire departments. If placed on the March 2 ballot and approved by voters, it also would make the income taxes temporary, beginning Jan. 1, 2005, and continuing through Dec. 31, 2007.
"I don't feel that it's going to pass as it's been presented, especially in my ward," Pugh said, referring to legislation introduced earlier this month. That ordinance would make the 0.5 percent income tax, initially passed in 2001 for the police and fire departments, permanent. The 2001 tax expires at the end of 2004.
Police department's troubles
Pugh cited recent problems in the city police department that have ranged from allegations of brutality to charges of officers' conducting illegal strip searches. Several people at a council meeting earlier this month were critical of the department and some officers' treatment of the public.
"My feeling about legislation is that it ignites debate," Pugh said.
Getting another option before council for the income tax allows council members to discuss both before making a decision, he said.
Has questions
Councilman Alford L. Novak, D-2nd, said he has questions about Pugh's legislation before making any decisions. He wonders if the money would go into the general fund initially and then be allocated to the separate departments. That's the way the current income tax is divided.
Pugh said his idea is for that to continue with the new legislation.
Jeff Younkins, president of the union representing city firefighters, said the union will support whatever issue for the department is passed by council and placed on the ballot.
"I would rather keep it together," Younkins said, explaining that's the way voters initially passed the tax.
He also believes it's easier to pass a safety issue for both departments.
"We'd also like to see it be permanent," said Younkins, who is a captain on the department.
Councilman Gary Fonce, D-at large, doesn't want the tax issues separated.
"I don't want to pit one department against the other," he said.
Wondering why
Fonce also questions why Pugh is presenting the new legislation when just a few weeks ago he signed for the legislation to make the tax permanent. He said he also wonders why Pugh didn't consult with the other members of council's police and fire committee, Fonce and Councilwoman Susan E. Hartman, D-7th.
Fonce said he has spoken with members of the police and fire departments who don't want the issue separated. He said he's considering legislation to make the income tax temporary rather than permanent, however.
Much of the problem with the police department can be attributed to "bad blood" between the department and the current administration, Fonce said. No one is taking control of or responsibility for the problems, he said.
"I think when the new administration comes in, they're going to take hold of this situation," the councilman said.
Neither Mayor Hank Angelo nor Fred Harris, safety-service director, could be reached this morning.
Despite problems, there are good things happening at the department, Fonce said, listing the detective division's high clearance rate on this year's homicides.
"Not giving the police department money is not going to solve the problems in this city, and it's not going to keep crime from happening," Fonce said. "You don't cut off your nose to spite your face."
denise.dick@vindy.com