Canfield to destroy seized firearms

By AMANDA C. DAVIS

neighbors@vindy.com

The city has decided to do away with firearms confiscated during the course of arrests and police investigations.

City council unanimously passed a measure Wednesday to dispose of the firearms instead of selling them and taking a risk they could end up in the wrong hands.

City Manager Joseph Warino has said the city collects five or six guns each year, and he wants to make sure they don’t return to the streets where they could be used in a crime against an officer or member of the community.

Resident Frank Micchia of Glenview Road spoke about the ordinance, calling it a “noble gesture,” but one that won’t make much difference. Micchia said there’s no evidence the guns would return to the streets if they were sold.

The city would be selling to individuals who would have to pass a background check anyway, he explained.

In other business, council terminated the position of assistant city manager, a temporary post designed to help Warino’s transition into his new job.

Former City Manager Charles Tieche acted as assistant between Dec. 1, when Warino took over, and the end of January, when Tieche retired. Warino is the former Mahoning County sanitary engineer.

Council also decided to appoint an acting city manager to handle Warino’s duties if he is absent for any reason, including illness or injury. The city is required by its charter to designate someone in his absence.

The city’s police chief will handle Warino’s responsibilities in this case. If the chief is unable to perform those duties, the city’s finance director will step in.

In closing comments, Mayor William Kay joked that he has “ordered a gradual thaw” of the snow for those residents living in the floodplain.

Council also met in executive session to discuss an employee termination. City Attorney Mark Fortunato said no action was expected.