Assistant in zoning gets suspended

Trustees voted unanimously for the suspension.
AUSTINTOWN -- The township's assistant zoning inspector is receiving a one-day unpaid suspension because trustees believe he used his township car for personal matters, said trustee chairwoman Lisa Oles.
Trustees voted unanimously for the suspension at their meeting Monday after a closed session to discuss personnel discipline, OIes said.
She said Eric Harris was questioned about his mileage, which was higher than normal. She said trustees weren't satisfied with the answers.
Harris, a member of the Teamsters union, did not comment Tuesday. He referred questions to Bob Bernat, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 377. Efforts to reach Bernat were unsuccessful.
His response
Oles said Harris indicated to township officials that he was going on a lot more nuisance property calls.
Township Administrator Mike Dockry said Harris was present for a hearing in the executive session, along with himself and township zoning inspector Mike Kurilla. He said he called for the hearing after interviews he'd had previously with Harris.
Dockry said Kurilla's testimony at the session was based on invoices of Harris' gas usage, and the time period in question is the last four months.
Dockry said he does not know yet when Harris' suspension will be. He said that will be up to Kurilla.