Lowellville mayor denies tickets were officer's retaliation against school

LOWELLVILLE

Jen Knechtel found a surprise on her car’s windshield after watching her daughter perform in the Lowellville High School concert band May 21.

It was a $10 ticket for her car being in a no parking zone at the school.

But Knechtel said she has parked before at the spot during previous school events without being cited.

The citations were made by Lowellville police Capt. Stacy Karis, who was the school’s resource officer until the board asked for her replacement in February.

“Of course I’m going to believe that she has a bone to pick with the school,” Knechtel said, adding that Karis had told her on three occasions that it was OK to park in the spot where she received the ticket.

But Mayor Jim Iudiciani Sr. said there “was no retaliation” against the school board, and that neither Karis nor any other police officer had given permission to park in restricted areas.

Knechtel was among a number of people who attended the concert who received a ticket for illegal parking.

Read more on the dispute in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.