Sheriff, union spar over duties

The sheriff said a lot of people choose to call him with their complaints.
LISBON -- Columbiana County Sheriff David Smith said a union proposal could limit his ability to handle complaints.
Smith said Tuesday that two copies of a proposal had been posted at the jail by the union, which is represented by the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Labor Council.
When asked later Tuesday for a copy, Smith said that someone had taken down the documents.
The union and the sheriff have sparred over what is the work of the deputies.
A federal mediator ruled in March in favor of the union's complaint that a private company hired to transport prisoners from across the country was doing the work of deputies. The private company was less expensive than sending deputies.
Handling complaints
Smith said the union "doesn't want me to handle complaints. The problem is, a lot of people want to talk to the sheriff."
Smith is routinely involved in drug raids and other law enforcement activities, as well as the department's civil division, which handles sales of property.
Smith added that as an elected official he thinks that when people call, he should "listen to their complaints and listen to what they have to say."
The department is down to 17 deputies, and everyone is taking complaints, he said.
"A lot goes on in this office so that everyone has to work together," Smith said.
Wes Smith, a deputy and union member who works in the sheriff's office in the courthouse, declined to comment. He referred questions to a union representative.
Wes Smith said the union representative did not have a copy of the proposal.
Sheriff Smith said that the proposal would be discussed internally. If no agreement could be reached, it would go to arbitration.
The commissioners will have hearings next month on a 0.5 percent sales tax that voters have defeated three times. The commissioners say that without it they face a 4 million shortfall in 2007.
When asked if the union proposal might affect efforts to get the sales tax approved, deputy Smith said, "The sales tax is already dead."
wilkinson@vindy.com