Liberty police Chief Tony Meloro lauds ex-dispatch supervisor

Liberty resident angry about ‘trashed’ homes

LIBERTY -- Township police Chief Toby Meloro awarded retired dispatch supervisor Mary Louise Gardner with a badge of honor during the trustees meeting Monday.

Gardner, of Girard, received gifts from the department for "bringing 911 to Ohio," as Meloro said in her honor. In 1991, Gardner was promoted to the supervisor position and taught dispatchers throughout the state.

"She brought professionalism to dispatching," Meloro said. "She coordinated everything that happened around here. She was just a lovely person, a great person, to work with."

Gardner retired in March 2001.

"It was a sad day. I remember having a little party in the back room for you and how sad I felt to have to see you leave. I am so lucky to have worked with her," Meloro added.

While receiving her award from Meloro, Gardner said, "God bless all of you, and I'm glad we had the opportunity to bring 911 to Ohio." Meloro handed her a badge from the Libert Police Department and an ID card, signed with Meloro's "autograph."

Before Gardner's award acceptance, Meloro prefaced the meeting with a few words dedicated to the Sept. 11, 2001, tragedy.

"There's four things that I focused on when I became chief five years ago," Meloro said. "A sense of being, that you were a part of something; a sense of belonging, meaning I treat the police department like a second family to me; a sense of believing, meaning we believe in what we're doing, we're public servants and we're out here to protect all of our citizens; and a sense of benevolence, we love what we do, we're committed to this organization, and that's why we do it."

Meloro received applause and thanks from many in attendance at the meeting.

Township Administrator Martha Weirick said, "As we reflect on the events that took place on 9/11, 22 years ago, I would be remiss if I didn't thank our township safety forces for there heroic efforts for our community. Day in and day out, I know in my heart, every one of our fire and police personnel would not hesitate to run toward danger, while we're running away. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for your service to the community."

COMPLAINT ABOUT TRASH

While other agenda items swiftly passed at the meeting, Liberty resident Fritz Coombs lodged his complaints to the board that maintenance is tanking in the community. Coombs' comments came shortly after Trustee Arnie Clebone said he was concerned about maintenance issues within the township.

"We're an aging area and we've got big, beautiful homes," Clebone said. "There's people buying these homes, and some can take care of them, some are putting hundreds of thousands of dollars back in. But we have people that can't really afford to do everything they need. I think we need to help those people."

Clebone then requested that the township begins working on a new maintenance code to prevent places from being trashed.

Clebone referenced other local communities' maintenance codes and recommended the township find people to assist Zoning and Code Enforcement Director Jim Rodway in keeping aesthetics in order.

Trustee Devon Stanley suggested that continuing to address the cleanup of properties, without confrontation or litigation, works best.

"Ultimately, there are people that, it takes the courts to tell them what to do," Stanley said. "And that's the truth, and we do that when we have to. And we will continue to do that. But if looking at, or revisiting the maintenance code selectively for what works for Liberty is an additional tool, I'm all for using it. I just think it will take a sort of subcommittee."

"This is about preserving Liberty as a nice place to live," Clebone added.

Coombs talked to the board about a couple of properties and said, "I'd like to see a maintenance code adopted and enforced."

Displeased with the township's efforts to clear lumber and pick up trash, Coombs said the township's "minuscule fines do nothing."

"It's time for you folks to act," Coombs said. "You have done nothing."