Quigley Remains a No Show in Newbury

February 15, 2018 by Diane Ryder

A deputy from the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office sat in on the Newbury Township Trustees meeting Feb. 7 despite Trustee Glen Quigley remaining at home due to a perceived threat aired two weeks ago on social media.

Halfway through the agenda, new trustee Greg Tropf accused trustees Quigley and Bill Skomrock of keeping him in the dark about Quigley’s decision not to attend public meetings while he remained fearful for his safety.

Following Skomrock’s monthly report on Newbury residents’ calls to the sheriff’s office, Tropf asked the deputy, who was seated in the back of the room near the rear door, “Are you on duty here now? If so, who requested you?”

The deputy, who did not give his name, said he had no idea who had made the request.

“All I know is my supervisor told me to be here,” the deputy said.

“I don’t know about this. It’s kind of strange,” Tropf said. “I’m baffled by the whole thing.”

Skomrock said he didn’t know who had requested the deputy.

“I thought maybe you were here as a citizen,” he told the officer.

Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand told the Maple Leaf the deputy was on duty, but was not requested by any township official. He was asked to attend the meeting by a concerned citizen due to the recent perceived threats.

This is the second trustees meeting Quigley has missed. At the previous meeting, Skomrock read a statement from Quigley explaining he had seen social media comments posted by three people who had mentioned “throat punching” Quigley. He said he took that as a serious threat and feared for his safety.

“I fail to understand why I was not included in the conversation last week. Why wasn’t I contacted?” Tropf asked Skomrock, adding he had not been included in any email discussions about Quigley’s decision.

Skomrock said he had contacted Quigley by phone the day before the meeting. Tropf said the other two trustees should not have been discussing township business, according to the Ohio Sunshine Law. Skomrock denied they were conducting township business, just having a conversation about running the meeting.

“He wanted to tell people why he wasn’t there,” Skomrock replied.

“I wasn’t informed. I might as well be sitting in the audience,” Tropf retorted. “I just wanted a heads up. I have a phone. I have email. I find it embarrassing. I should be involved in anything affecting the township. That’s how I feel and I want to make it known.”

“All right. You’ve made it known,” Skomrock shot back.

Near the end of the meeting, resident Mike Rainer questioned the township’s $1.3 million cash balance carryover from 2017.

“I’m just concerned because the cash balance is so high,” Rainer said. “The county treasurer and the county auditor are concerned, and gave you an admonition and warning at the budget commission hearing.”

Rainer passed around several copies of a transcript of the Aug. 22, 2017, Geauga County Budget Commission hearing for Newbury’s 2018 budget.

“Hitchcock said they almost voted against approving the budget,” Rainer said.

Skomrock said the carryover was needed for planned road projects and capital improvements, as well as road salt purchases and truck repairs.

“When was the last time Newbury asked for additional money?” Skomrock asked, his voice heated.

“The gentleman asked a question. Just relax,” Tropf told Skomrock.

“I don’t appreciate getting stepped (on),” Skomrock replied, adding he could adjourn the meeting.

“I don’t have to allow anyone to speak, according to the Ohio Revised Code,” Skomrock told the audience.

He reiterated the carryover was needed to handle a variety of planned projects, including paving projects.

Tropf said he thought that a $1.3 million carryover was excessive.

“Yes, we should have a rainy-day fund, but the question is, how much?” Tropf asked. “The county says 50 percent of the budget, so that would be about $700,000, not $1.3 million.”

Tropf added, “I’m not trying to make you (Skomrock) uncomfortable or make you look bad, but the treasurer said that your budgets are all the same. He’s astonished that you asked for a levy and the people were dumb enough to give you a levy.

“When is the third trustee gonna be here?” Tropf continued. “When will there be a full table again?”

Fiscal Officer Marcia Mansfield said that, under Ohio law, a township trustee is required to attend a meeting every three months.

Resident Jessica Rivera asked why Quigley sent emails to about a dozen people outlining charges for copies of public records.

Tropf said there is a charge for paper copies, but not public records sent electronically. He said he had not seen Quigley’s email.

“That’s a case in point. I should have been included,” Tropf said.

The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.