Fowler approved as NL assistant police chief

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

NEW LONDON ? After months of debate, the New London City Council has approved Brandon Fowler as the assistant police chief.

The position became vacant after Ryan Wilka was selected as police chief following John Chaney?s resignation in March. Since Wilka?s promotion, the assistant police chief position was left open and for a time, the council questioned whether to fill it. However, during Tuesday night?s regularly scheduled meeting, Fowler was approved unanimously.

In addition to moving Fowler to assistant police chief, the city also hired a new police officer. Todd Sines was recently hired to the force. During the meeting, the council approved paying for Sines training at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, at a cost of $7,816.87. In other business, the council approved new decals for the recently purchased Chevy Tahoe. The decals cost $636. The council also approved Ryan Wilka and Jesse Bell to attend domestic violence class in Neveda on Aug. 19

During the meeting, the council heard from a slew of concerned citizens; the first being Tracy Trejo.

Trejo stated he called the police department to report vandalism at his mechanic shop and instead of help, he felt he received more sass.

?I got a hold of one of the younger officers and he acted like why was I wasting his time, the Chief already told him the window was broken a week ago,? Trejo said relaying the conversation.

Trejo asked the council, ?At what point should I feel comfortable calling the police because I don?t feel comfortable now.?

Following Trejo was Shanon Wellington. Wellington approached the council to discuss the parking situation on South Maple Street.

?I think Maple (Street) is a very heavily traveled, almost as much as Pine (Street), I feel; especially during the school year,? said Wellington.

Wellington went on to explain that from Jackson to Monroe Street, it?s very narrow and becomes almost a one-lane road.

?I know my house sits close to the road, but that?s not the reason I?m asking for the no parking signs, I?m asking because it is a very narrow part of the road and I feel people parking there is just dangerous,? she concluded.

Councilman Frank Staley agreed, stating at that section of Maple Street, from Jackson to Monroe Street, it?s nearly impossible for two vehicles to cross at the same time.

As possibly establishing ?no parking? signs on Maple Street was an agenda item, the council discussed the section of road in more detail.

?We?ve all been down that street and it is narrow,? said Councilman Tom Davis.

Kirk Miller suggested the police department investigate the flow of traffic on Maple Street. One of Miller?s concerns was residents on that stretch of road having off-street parking options.

Wilka said he would talk to the Henry County Sheriff to see about borrowing the speed trailer, which also tallies the number of vehicles that pass it. Wilka added he would also have officers on the road once school starts to see how that affects the flow of traffic.

The council also discussed placing a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Pine Street and Wilson Street.

Davis said several residents from that area had approached him about the speed of traffic in the area.

However, Dan Berner reminded the council that stop signs are not a fix-all. Berner read from material supplied from the Federal Highway Administration that ?a stop sign can be a safety issue and should not be used to control speed. Unnecessary stop signs can caused delays and increase crashes, and should not be placed without an engineering study.?

Instead, the council approved moving the stop signs on Wilson Street closer to Pine to make it more visible for drivers. Also, the council decided to replace the non-flashing signs at the school zone near Wilson Street with one that will work.

The council will consider a temporary stop sign for the intersection of Pine and Wilson at a later date.

In other business, the council:

? Approved liquor license with Sunday sales for Woobies

? Approved Kasi Howard to attend the SEICCA meeting in Ottumwa, Sept. 9

? Approved zoning permits for Amber and Josh Jacobsmeier, 201 E. Main St., storage shed; Patsy and Mark Dillon, 405 N. Walnut St., side deck

? Approved tax abatement for Charles Wikorff, 300 W. Madison St., total remodel

? Approved selling property at 305 N. Maple St.

? Approved donating $100 to the New London Post Prom Committee

The next New London City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 5:30 p.m., at City Hall.