Councilman said village is safer with Laskey

Several individuals questioned the second reading of a resolution during the Nov. 21 Strasburg Council meeting authoring tuition reimbursement for fire chief training. It would be paid from the village’s general fund at a cost of about $13,000 and would guarantee Fire Chief Steve Laskey would continue as chief for the next five years.

Bruce Metzger contacted the Massillon fire chief and was told he does not have a master’s degree. Lewie Dreher contacted the New Philadelphia fire chief, and he also does not have a master’s degree; however, it was said by the fire chief that Laskey is a good guy and has turned the Strasburg Fire Department around. Dreher asked what will a master’s degree do for Strasburg? Mayor Steve Smith told Dreher that Laskey provides better leadership and his improved education will benefit the department.

“Even if the resolution does not pass, I am staying as chief,” Laskey said.

Councilman Dustin Briggs said the village is safer with Laskey at the helm than it has ever been, and additional education is a way to keep the chief. He said all this negativity toward the fire and police departments is not beneficial to the village.

Smith said eight individuals were interviewed for the fire chief. Laskey receives $60,000, paid from the general fund, and was the only individual qualified for the position. Smith said a full-time fire chief must have 240 hours of training.

Strasburg is no longer a volunteer fire department. All 27 part-time staffers are firefighters, EMTs and paramedics, which was not the case in past years. Of the original fire department, 14 are still on the roster.

The fire department officials came to council several years ago asking that a levy be placed on the ballot for a full-time fire department with part-time staffers. A five-year levy was passed; however, it does not generate enough funds to cover the department.

“Laskey has a spread sheet for the budget and is following it to make sure the department continues to move forward,” Smith said.

Brad Malcuit questioned the need for additional education for the chief and said the village does not need a new fire truck or a new fire station.

Laskey said anyone with questions can call him at 330-827-4026. He said no calls have been received since he was hired.

Council also did the following:

—Heard the village planning commission will discuss issuing a conditional-use permit for a halfway house to operate at the former funeral home on Wooster Avenue at the meeting in Village Hall on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.

—Heard Fire Lt. Andrew Braham is now a certified paramedic, and the crew of Braham, Ross Gardner and Lt. Joshua Stamper did an excellent job handling a work fire on Nov. 17.

—Learned the festival committee meets the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at St. John UCC on Wooster Avenue. Any profits will not be intended especially for the park, but maybe scholarships or to help someone in need. Plans are to hold a festival in Franklin Park at the end of July 2024.

—Held the first reading of a resolution of necessity for a police levy.

—Passed a resolution, as an emergency, to declare Studio 714, located on South Wooster Avenue, a nuisance.

—Heard council member Marty Zehnder suggest a new pay ordinance for village employees should not be discussed until after Jan. 1. Council member Liz Dreher agreed.

Other information

Christmas in the Village will begin Dec. 9 with the Rudolph Run at 10 a.m., a parade at 4 p.m., a live nativity on Wooster Avenue from 5-7 p.m. and a visit with Santa at the fire station from 5-7 p.m.

The next meeting will be held Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave.