Strasburg fire chief submitted resignation to council

Strasburg Fire Chief Steve Laskey submitted his resignation to council, effective June 28. At the June 18 meeting, Mayor Bruce Metzger said council is not required to vote on Laskey’s resignation.

Council member Kathy Burrier thanked Laskey for the past 2 1/2 years of service to the village. Laskey was hired in April 2022 and came to the village with 28 years of experience. Council also accepted the resignation of Fire Capt. Jordan Turek, firefighter and paramedic, effective June 28. Turek has served on the fire department since 2013.

Metzger said there are currently three applications for the chief’s position. He said interviews will begin soon, and a new chief should be hired by August. He said according to the Ohio Revised Code, a chief does not need 240 hours of training or certified as a paramedic. Metzger said a committee will be appointed to interview applicants consisting of the mayor, several council members, village administrator and possibly a Franklin Township trustee.

Lewie Dreher, a resident, asked when Laskey will pay back the tuition reimbursement since he resigned. Metzger said payments will be made.

“This was not an easy decision to leave the department,” Laskey said. “Changes have happened with the administration, and my conditions of employment have affected me personally and professionally, and after talking with my wife and mentors, it was determined it was time to move on.

“My intention was to retire from here and end my career here. I had developed a 10-year plan I was hoping to complete. Certain changes and different ideas have come to light which do not make that goal possible.”

Laskey has accepted a position as coordinator at Canal Fulton Fire Department.

Former Fire Chief Dan Varner praised Laskey and said he moved the department forward and made progress at the station.

“People need to take a breath. We need to go forward and come together. I am submitting my application as fire chief,” Varner said.

In another matter

Council agreed to have the dirt mound removed between Williams Village and Dale Avenue to open Seventh Street Southwest to make an additional exit for those living in Pine Ridge. Metzger said the entrance and exit to Pine Ridge Development from Dundee-Strasburg Road is dangerous.

Council also did the following:

—Hired Bryson Froman, part-time park employee, at $12 per hour.

—Approved a quote from Gessner Seal Rite to pave the parking lot at Franklin Park at a cost of $6,448 and seal the basketball court at no charge.

—Awarded a sidewalk project at the village/bus garage to Mart Dreher Construction at a cost of $1,475, to be split between the village and possibly the school district, and a sidewalk along the front and rear of Village Hall. The contract was awarded to Wolf’s Landscaping at a cost of $4,350.

—Heard four pickleball courts at Franklin Park would cost about $72,000. Doug Dreher, a resident, said paving two roads at the park is a waste of funds and should be applied to the pickleball courts. Council passed the paving projects at the June 4 meeting.

—After an executive session, council voted to file legal action against Ty’rique Mayes of Canton for $4,056 in reimbursement for fire training.

Other information

A public hearing will be held July 2 at 5:30 p.m. for a swimming pool to be installed at 702 S. Bodmer Ave. with lesser than required setback.

The American Legion will hold a chicken barbecue on July 14 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Malcuit parking lot on South Wooster Avenue. The cost is $13.

ProVia Service Day will provide volunteer workers to assist with village projects on one day from 8 a.m. to noon.

The fire department responded to 32 calls from June 6-16.

The next meeting will be held July 2 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave.