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Newton Falls is at it again.
We don't know what causes the constant knee-jerk reaction that triggers routine calls for removal of public officials in this small town. But whatever it is, here we go again.
Come November, voters will be asked to cast ballots on whether Councilwoman Tesa Spletzer should be recalled from office.
Petitions containing 139 signatures called for Spletzer's removal and were verified by the Trumbull County Board of Elections. The document cites reasons for Spletzer's recall as her failure to conduct business of the village fairly and properly, failure to spend taxpayer money wisely and misfeasance.
Falls voters successfully recalled former 4th Ward Councilwoman Sandra Breymaier in 2021.
Recalls and removals are not a new sentiment here. Councilmen John Baryak, James Langley and Terrance Mohan were recalled from their seats on council 30 years ago in 1993.
Since then, other attempts to remove Baryak, the current 2nd Ward councilman, were unsuccessful in 2019.
We get it. This is America, and people have a right to be heard. That is something we always will support.
What we don't support, however, is the continued haphazard attempts to call for removal of public officials here.
Now, Mayor Ken Kline is calling for city manager Pam Priddy, an appointed village official, to step down or face removal by council.
He blames Priddy for the sudden removal of the school resource officer from Newton Falls schools, and he is alleging she falsified information she circulated publicly about that issue.
Specifically, Kline claims that Priddy removed part of a text message exchange he had with her about the SRO's removal. It seems Priddy publicly shared an abridged version of the text exchange regarding the SRO's status. Kline maintains that by omitting a couple of the texts, Priddy made it appear he and the school superintendent made the decision to pull the school resource officer -- which is not true.
Priddy also denies pulling the resource officer prematurely. And text messages provided to the Tribune Chronicle by both Kline and Priddy back her up on that comment.
A copy of the text messages provided by Kline shows an introductory text message sent by Kline was, indeed, omitted from a statement released by Priddy.
The comment that Kline says was omitted? "Where (sic) you calling about school resource officer? Tonya got a. (sic) Email about it and I told her I don't know anything about it."
Tonya is Kline's wife, who serves on the Newton Falls Board of Education.
Priddy responded, "Yes."
The rest of the exchange remains consistent in both copies.
Priddy goes on to ask Kline, "Does Tonya know if they need him to report there tomorrow?? I will have to let Brandon know because he drives in from Akron."
Priddy is referring to Brandon, who is the school resource officer.
Kline responds first that he's not sure, but that Tonya is asking.
In a subsequent text message, Kline says, "He told Tonya that they will have sheriff there tomorrow and are working on a permanent agreement.
"So it worked out best for all involved. Thank you for the info."
But later, Kline called for Priddy's resignation.
The SRO issue came to light because city funding for the resource officer was cut. Newton Falls village previously worked with the school district in providing school resource officers from the village's police department. However, funding shortfalls led to the village shutting down its police department in recent months and contracting with the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office for village police protection. Priddy said the village would not continue funding a resource officer in the schools.
From our vantage point, faced with the need for a quick decision on funding and school safety, schools Superintendent Justin Christopher seems to have handled the situation most diplomatically, saying simply that there was a "miscommunication" with the village over the SRO contract.
It seems "miscommunication" is a good way to describe the problem. For certain, it's a more diplomatic description than pointing fingers and calling for resignations.
An even better approach would involve cooler heads and calm open discussion before making public attacks and demands for resignation or removal.
editorial@tribtoday.com