(PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
PROCLAMATION … The council listens intently as Mayor Yagelski reads a proclamation declaring April 28th as Arbor Day for the Village of Montpelier.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The April 28th Montpelier Council meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Steve Yagelski. After taking roll call, the Council was led in prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Yagelski opened the meeting with a proclamation for Arbor Day, 2025. He mentioned that Montpelier is very fortunate to be a part of Tree City USA. He thanked Mark Smith, the village’s local forester, for his work and dedication to the community’s ecosystem.
“For as the Village of Montpelier, Ohio,” read Yagelski, “recognizes the vital role trees play in enhancing our quality of life, improving air and water quality, conserving energy, and providing habitat for wildlife.” He then proclaimed April 28th as Arbor Day for the town.
One interesting mention from committee member, Chris Kannel, involved a scam letter posing as the council. This letter was sent to multiple residents, and to an unknowing eye, seems legitimate.
The “National Police Association,” as they were calling themselves, tried soliciting money or donations under the guise of working with the council.
Kannel quotes, “The NPA is not affiliated with the Village of Montpelier, the Montpelier PD, and the Montpelier Village Council is not soliciting information or funds.”
Council member Kevin Motter shed light on the recent groundbreaking construction for the American Legion which will include a new flagpole and a monument.
It is dedicated to veterans who lost their lives in service including deaths from chemical exposure, PTSD, and brain injuries.
The National Day of Prayer is set to celebrate its 74th anniversary. Gaylynn Harris spoke to the council on the upcoming festivities set for May 1st at the House of Prayer, in Montpelier.
She welcomed anyone to come and enjoy their faith together. She thanked Yagelski for his continued participation in this event, and the mayor moved to announce another proclamation: May 1st is the official Day of Prayer for the residents of Montpelier.
Police Chief Dan McGee visited council to give a lengthy report on the most recent year of the MPD.
McGee took time to answer some frequently answered questions to the public, starting off with the recent revamping of the PD’s website.
He encouraged participants with issues that need to be addressed on the website to ask him for help. The MPD website is more of a static manner in which they communicate important information to the public, whereas their social media is kept up to date more frequently.
With summer just around the corner, McGee talked about how he expects to get an increase of juvenile delinquency calls. He stressed that a lot of time, kids will be kids, and it is up to the parents to create any real change.
“I don’t really have any desire to initiate our juvenile justice system with a bunch of silly complaints when parents should be stepping up.”
“I think referring juveniles to criminal court should be reserved for things that are of more nature of consequence,” noted the police chief.
While kids playing on busy streets, throwing rocks over bridges, and running around after dark can cause accidents and distraction, it’s important to remember that the MPD cannot do much other than file a report and disengage the behavior momentarily, McGee added.
That change and correction begins at home. “Our goal is education will turn the tide,” affirmed the chief.
He moved on to discuss the new constitutional amendment coming to the November ballot this year that presents a potential new concern for police officers. It consists of the removal of qualified immunity for government officials.
“However, in my mind, it is targeting police officers,” explained McGee. Qualified immunity protects public officers and employees from being civilly sued when there is damage or injury caused by officers performing their duty.
There is already a law built into the system that gives citizens the chance to sue if said officer acted maliciously, overtly, or out of his means of jurisdiction.
“Council should be concerned because if this was to get on the ballot to pass, I believe we will see another exodus of police officers,” said McGee.
“Proponents say that it only targets the bad officers,” he continued, “I think that is an uneducated, unreliable point of view. It targets all police officers.”
With the removal of qualified immunity, the MPD could potentially face countless cases of civil lawsuits if the residents so choose.
Without the protection, officers could be tied up in court over the knocking over of a fence while apprehending a suspect, for example, instead of serving their community. He urges his community to do their own research and form their own opinions.
The Village Manager, Jason Rockey, moved forward to give an update on the recent storm damage to the Montpelier Electric Department. The department unfortunately received extensive damage to its building and roof.
While Rockey has been diligently working on receiving a grant for building repair expenses, the total cost came to around $225,000.
He authorized repairs for the fencing, HVAC system, and the rest of the building today. A full recovery might not be seen by the village for several weeks or even months.
With no further business to discuss, Mayor Yagelski called the meeting to adjourn at 7:12 p.m.