Published November 09, 2009 11:31 pm - Police Chief Rob Stell was in the house, but it was for budget talks by City Council Monday night, not a boxing match between council members, he said.
Kist says she ‘knows a threat’ Stell: I heard two people who are not happy with each other
By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com Star Beacon
ASHTABULA — Police Chief Rob Stell was in the house, but it was for budget talks by City Council Monday night, not a boxing match between council members, he said.
Council Vice President Betty Kist filed a harassment complaint against President Rodger Altier after listening to a phone message from him in which he said her position that no revote should be taken on annexation until president-elect Chuck Brockway takes office is “a crock of (expletive).” He further said: “The gloves are coming off at the last (council) meeting (Nov. 16). I hope you are prepared for it because I’m coming after you now.”
By the time a police officer arrived, Altier had called five more times, but didn’t leave a message. Kist did not answer the phone either. The officer then answered and told Altier to quit calling — and he did, according to the police report.
Stell said he listened to Altier’s message.
“I heard two people who are not happy with each other,” Stell said. “I didn’t hear threats.”
Ward 2 Councilman August Pugliese said he heard a threat.
“If that’s not harassment, I don’t know what you call it,” he said. “It’s another slap in the face for Ashtabula and it’s not the first time ... just like Trashtabula,” Pugliese said.
City Solicitor Michael Franklin said the crime of “menacing” is a threat of harm to another person, or to that person’s property. He doesn’t believe any “reasonable person” could take Altier’s phone message, in the context of a dispute between two members of the same legislative body over the business of that body, as a threat of physical violence, he said.
Kist said she is a “reasonable person” and she knows a threat when she hears one. The phone calls upset her greatly, she said.
Altier’s message dealt with the annexation debate that ended a week ago with a negative vote by a majority of council members. The dissenting council members, including Pugliese, cited the need for a more-specific agreement with Saybrook Township over maintaining Wade Avenue.
Pugliese said council wants to better understand its financial responsibilities and have everything in order before annexation.
“I believe all of council is looking out for the best interests of the city,” he said.
Ward 1 Councilman Joseph Rose agreed with Pugliese.
Rose said he knows Altier can put pressure on council members when he wants them to vote a certain way.
Altier called a special meeting on Oct. 27 to approve a memo endorsing the Wade Avenue project. City Manager Anthony Cantagallo penned the memo, saying City Council would accept the Ashtabula Area City School District’s elementary building program, including architectural drawings and site work.
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