Mum’s the word on Hubbard chief

Staff report

HUBBARD

“No comment” remained the phrase used by Mayor Rich Keenan and members of council before and after a special council meeting Tuesday night that went into executive session to discuss personnel. Whether Police Chief Martin Kanetsky, who was placed on paid administrative leave last Thursday by the mayor, was the topic is not known.

After City Council President Bill Williams called the meeting to order and the roll was taken, council went behind closed doors with the mayor at 7:02 p.m. and came out at 7:37. The meeting was then adjourned. The mayor and lawmakers said they could not discuss what happened in the executive session.

After the meeting, Williams said, “Council didn’t have anything to do with this,” referring to the Kanetsky’s leave. “We legislate and approve,” Williams said of council’s functions. When asked if the police chief has been asked to resign, Williams said, “Not to my knowledge.”

A small group of eight onlookers braved Tuesday night’s snowy road conditions to attend the meeting, which many hoped would address the police chief’s situation. Mike Moss, a city resident for 18 years who is with the Hubbard Volunteer Fire Department, said he “wanted to find out what was going on.” He admitted he “wasn’t happy” at how the situation was being handled and wanted details on the investigation.

Bruce Miller, a Hubbard Township resident, also said he was curious about the situation and contended that information should be “more forthcoming.”