A rumor brings big turnout

Trustee Shirley Heck said she didn't attend the meeting because she was sick.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW SPRINGFIELD -- A standing-room-only crowd of about 60 packed Springfield Township's meeting room, apparently drawn by a rumor "something big would happen," according to one township resident.
Nothing happened Wednesday night, however. But the unusual absence of Springfield Township Trustee Shirley Heck from the regular meeting fueled suspicion that something was amiss.
The other two trustees, Jim Holleran and Reed Metzka, said they did not know why Heck was absent. Holleran told a questioner, "I have no idea about Trustee Heck. I can't help with that."
After the meeting, however, Holleran said the "scuttlebutt" around the township is that Heck may have been charged with something. But he added that though he talked to Heck a few nights ago, he doesn't know "if she's been charged or indicted."
But when Heck was contacted at home after the meeting, she said she had told Holleran she would not be at the meeting because she had diarrhea.
"I haven't been charged with anything, and I can't discuss anything further," she said.
Various investigations
The rumors of charges against Heck may stem from the fact that the Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office is conducting several investigations into township matters. These include an ongoing controversy over Heck and Holleran allowing some employees to use township cell phones for personal use; an investigation into the fire department; and a possible ethical violation regarding the hiring of Heck's brother, Walter McKinney, as township recycling coordinator.
An investigation also is ongoing into an unauthorized entry into a township office.
During the summer, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation took and examined computers used by the township secretary and rescue squad and later returned them.
At that time, Holleran said he was waiting to see if BCI "was going to charge us or not."
Political?
Political motives for the rumors also abound.
Both Heck and Metzka are up for re-election next month against a crowded field of candidates. No one would own up to authoring a flier circulated anonymously during the meeting.
The handbill attacked signs critical of Heck which have appeared in a few locations in the township. And Holleran commented several times about the "pettiness that's been going on for months" in township offices, pointing out, for example, that Heck's nameplate has now disappeared from a drawer in township offices.
Holleran speculated after the meeting that if something has happened to jeopardize Heck's trustee position, the proposed $1.2 million waterline project in Petersburg might be in jeopardy.
He said that Heck has worked diligently to secure commitments for about half of the project's funding. He said if she does not continue her work, he doubts another trustee would spend the many hours necessary to secure the rest of the funding.
Holleran, 72, said his work schedule makes it impossible for him to devote the time necessary to see the project through.
Other matters
UIn other business, Holleran said bids have not yet been let for the Petersburg sewer project. Holleran said the state had been holding off until they determine what to do with road problems in Petersburg at Route state 170 and Garfield Road. He said that $600,000 of the project funds must be spent by the end of the year so as not to lose them, but that Mahoning County Sanitary Engineer Joe Warino has assured him the money will not be lost.
UHolleran also announced he will meet Friday with representatives from Waste Management to negotiate how high trash may be piled at the landfill, which is located in the township. Several residents complained about the smell at the facility.
UPolice Chief Matthew Mohn said his department is leaving yellow door hangers on residents' doors when there are alarm drops, loose livestock or other problems and the resident is not home. He said anyone finding a hanger should call the police department.
UHolleran also reported that a recent auction of township equipment garnered $29,500 for an old road department dump truck. The money will be used toward purchase of a new one.
UTrustees amended a travel policy to clarify it. The amendment states people on township business can be reimbursed up to $40 per day for reasonable expenses but must submit original receipts.