PEMBERVILLE — Democracy got a workout Tuesday night in Pemberville Village Hall.
Sandwiched between three votes to elect a council president for 2011,
council listened to citizens share their opinions of council, concerns
about village police, barking dogs and exchanged a few barbs among
themselves. The session lasted 100 minutes.
Tension among council members and unhappiness among citizens has become more evident in recent months.

Tuesday’s battle over the council presidency was predictable because of a
failed effort to elect a 2011 president at council’s Dec. 7 meeting.
Extra chairs being set up for citizens attending meetings has become
routine.
Sitting President Gordon Bowman was re-elected on the third vote after
council waited more than an hour for member Christian King to arrive
from work. Mayor James Opelt announced early on that King had a job
commitment and would be late. At that point Opelt reordered the agenda
and invited comments from a resident who had sent the village an e-mail
about barking dogs.
Council Member Eric Campbell responded by holding up a code book and
saying “We adopt this code every year and there’s a whole section in
here that deals with dogs and cats, running loose, barking … it’s all
well covered in here. Why don’t we enforce this? Where are the tickets?
Until we write tickets and hit people in the pocket book nothing will
change. I’m sick of this issue. We have the ability to enforce, let’s
enforce.”
Police Chief James Darling said he had not been aware of that section.
The first offense is a minor misdemeanor with a fine of up to $100 and
costs.
Opelt moved ahead with reorganization, passing out committee
assignments, commenting that while he had invited members to list their
interests “I placed you where I felt you would be most helpful.”
Following a short discussion of qualifications for council president in
which the audience participated, Bowman was nominated and listed his
credentials for continuing. “I have no ax to grind. I am here for all of
Pemberville.” The nomination failed 2-3 with Marge Cox and Bowman in
favor and Larry Bockbrader, Campbell “with regrets” and Ryan Fuerst
opposed.
Fuerst was then nominated and listed his credentials. “I’m passionate
about this town,” he said, and added he would find the extra time needed
to do the job. Fuerst said economic development was a concern and did
not think the village “had a real plan of action.” The vote was 3-2 in
favor of Fuerst, with Cox and Bowman opposed. “You still don’t have a
president, you need four votes,” Village Solicitor Mike Marsh said.
“Well I guess we can wait for Mr. King and do this all over again,” Opelt said.
Council members went on with their reports and made some comments about
committee assignments. Campbell questioned the lack of meetings of the
Safety Committee and Opelt said he was not going to use the committee as
an outlet for public complaints. “We videotape all stops. It’s all
there in black and white. We’ve cut the police budget 25 percent and
took officers off the street. The chief has done an excellent job with
this budget.”
Council then heard former mayor Gustava Oberhouse say she was happy to
see so many residents at a meeting. As mayor she recalled the job wasn’t
always easy and she didn’t always get what she wanted, learning “it was
important to go along with what was best for the community as a whole.”
Oberhouse said she had been getting the feeling that “this village
council was prepared to say no to everything, but maybe that’s just me.
Pemberville has always been a good example to the county and I would
like to see that continue. Don’t decide things ahead of time unless you
have a very good reason. Elected officials need to realize that they
need the support of the people to continue.”
Former member Keith Madaras urged the village do a better job of
communication, citing a need to update its website and advocating a
village newsletter.
Businessman Keith Cherry told council the village police officers “are
terrorizing our teens” pulling them over for things such as dirty
license plates and low tires, and people taking patrons home from the
bar and grill he operates for things like a license plate light being
out. “I am not an unreasonable man. If people are swerving, pull them
over, but the police are fishing and they are killing our business.”
Cherry urged council “to open its eyes.”
Campbell said the charges are not new. “It has been going on for 30
years. It depends on the officers and the enforcement. It’s either
effective enforcement or intimidating tactics.” Opelt called an end to
the discussion when King arrived about 8:20. He was briefed on the
earlier council president activity and both candidates again spoke.
Fuerst alleged nothing had been done with a 2000 economic development
report that cost the village $10,000. Bowman said the plan exists, with
some provisions in place or attempted. Fuerst, in his first year on
council, said it was his understanding the plan had done little more
than sit on a shelf. Fuerst said he had not read the report, Bowman said
he had.
Opelt said downtown revitalization had been attempted but the village
had to give back a grant because it could not come up with the matching
funds.
Fuerst then brought up eroding water lines that have been neglected.
“You just don’t understand it,” Board of Public Affairs Clerk Marcy Abke
told Fuerst. “The board is fully aware of the outdated pipes. It comes
back to money. We just spent $30,000 for well repairs.” She urged Fuerst
to attend BPA meetings.
Bowman said Fuerst has missed council and committee meetings. “Where is
his interest in the village? He’s been on council a whole year and we do
not have anything,” Bowman said.
At that point King asked “Why can’t people be positive? I’m so tired of this. It angers me that we have
so much negativity.”
Bowman was nominated by Cox and seconded by Campbell. Those two were
joined in yes votes by King and Bowman. The audience applauded the vote
and the meeting adjourned.