Cop's move presents test of mayor's decree

Youngstown has challenged the new state residency law.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- If Patrolman Daniel Tickerhoof loses his job for defying the city's residency requirement, it won't happen soon, a police spokesman says.
"We'll bring him in, find out definitive answers and then proceed," Detective Sgt. Rick Alli, public information officer, said Friday. "There will be disciplinary action, but it won't be instant."
A new state law that allows city residents to live no further away than a contiguous county took effect May 1. Since then, Mayor Jay Williams has said employees who move will be terminated and the city filed a lawsuit challenging the law's constitutionality.
Municipal workers hired after 1988 have been required to live in the city. Tickerhoof, 32, was hired June 15, 2001.
Alli said Tickerhoof submitted a change-of-address card Thursday that shows his new home is in Canal Fulton in Summit County. The officer, the first to challenge the residency requirement, remains on the job, Alli said.
City, union responses
Alli said the Youngstown Police Association had apparently expected Tickerhoof to be terminated immediately.
"I can't see why they want us to do something irrational. This will start with the Internal Affairs Division," Alli said. "The union makes us be fair but now wants us to be fast and unfair. We won't play into their emotions."
Patrolman Frank Bigowsky, YPA grievance officer, said Friday that the mayor has made his point clear that anyone who moves will be fired. The officer said with Tickerhoof's move the ball is now in the city's court.
"Obviously, [Tickerhoof] put in a change of address," Bigowsky said, reasoning the act should trigger termination. "This will go to arbitration and the arbitrator will decide whether he gets his job back or not."
Bigowsky said the loser of the arbitration can appeal the decision in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. The officer said he doubts the city has the funds to pay for costly arbitration and legal fees.
Alli said the union is making Tickerhoof's situation political "to make us take action."
meade@vindy.com