Amador County – A crowd of nearly 200 people gathered in Ione Wednesday to hear the city council decide whether they would initiate a lawsuit against a potential ballot measure aimed at moving law enforcement services from the Ione Police Department (IPD) to the county. The lawsuit idea emerged after City Attorney Kristen Castanos called the proposed ballot measure, backed by Ione resident Denise Robertson, both illegal and unconstitutional. The majority of the city council vowed to fight for and support their local police. Wednesday’s meeting location was changed to Evalynn Bishop Hall instead of City Hall because of the expected large turnout. Before any decision was made, a parade of citizens and law enforcement officials took to the microphone during public comment to express their support and gratitude for the IPD. Letters of support from the Jackson Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office were read aloud. Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan said “I truly believe a city is best served by the people who live in it.” Some residents were more critical of the petition drive, calling it “moronic” and “just plain stupid.” In explaining her motivation, petitioner Denise Robertson said “our police department is run inadequately and it would be beneficial to our community to contract with the Sheriff.” She said “people just don’t feel secure” and recalled a 2003 sexual assault case the IPD allegedly failed to investigate. In a report distributed amongst city staff and council and made available to the public, IPD Chief Michael Johnson admitted that in his assessment, former IPD staff “did mishandle and fail to properly investigate” the case. Understanding that “the case represented a negligence and poor perception within the community,” Johnson said he took measures to follow up on the original case and clarify incorrect information in the initial reports. Robertson implied collusion between some council members and staff because of their “friendships.” She was booed as she returned to her seat. Jackson Valley resident Jim Scully, a long-time critic of the Ione police and supporter of Robertson, said all the criticism is unwarranted because Robertson is “exercising her 1st Amendment rights.” He said “we don’t understand why the city is insisting the sky is falling…when all we want to do is put this up to a public vote.” Mayor Skip Schaufel cut Scully off after five minutes. This sparked a complaint from Robertson who said “you didn’t stop anybody else.” Chief Johnson closed public comment by saying, “I did not take this job as a stepping stone, I took it because I want to stay here and retire here.” He said he is proud of his department and the job they do. Councilman Lee Ard said “you all have the finest public safety that any small town could ever ask for.” Councilman David Plank supported the idea of going forward with the lawsuit because “if we don’t do it, this will continue again and again.” Councilman Jim Ulm said “the best thing to do is to let the people decide.” A motion by Plank to initiate a lawsuit was voted down, 3-2. Other motions were passed to write up staff reports making a detailed comparison between the costs of contracting with the Sheriff’s Department versus the IPD. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 18:00
Ione Chooses Not to Pursue Lawsuit in IPD Petition Debate
Written by Tom-
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Amador County – A crowd of nearly 200 people gathered in Ione Wednesday to hear the city council decide whether they would initiate a lawsuit against a potential ballot measure aimed at moving law enforcement services from the Ione Police Department (IPD) to the county. The lawsuit idea emerged after City Attorney Kristen Castanos called the proposed ballot measure, backed by Ione resident Denise Robertson, both illegal and unconstitutional. The majority of the city council vowed to fight for and support their local police. Wednesday’s meeting location was changed to Evalynn Bishop Hall instead of City Hall because of the expected large turnout. Before any decision was made, a parade of citizens and law enforcement officials took to the microphone during public comment to express their support and gratitude for the IPD. Letters of support from the Jackson Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office were read aloud. Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan said “I truly believe a city is best served by the people who live in it.” Some residents were more critical of the petition drive, calling it “moronic” and “just plain stupid.” In explaining her motivation, petitioner Denise Robertson said “our police department is run inadequately and it would be beneficial to our community to contract with the Sheriff.” She said “people just don’t feel secure” and recalled a 2003 sexual assault case the IPD allegedly failed to investigate. In a report distributed amongst city staff and council and made available to the public, IPD Chief Michael Johnson admitted that in his assessment, former IPD staff “did mishandle and fail to properly investigate” the case. Understanding that “the case represented a negligence and poor perception within the community,” Johnson said he took measures to follow up on the original case and clarify incorrect information in the initial reports. Robertson implied collusion between some council members and staff because of their “friendships.” She was booed as she returned to her seat. Jackson Valley resident Jim Scully, a long-time critic of the Ione police and supporter of Robertson, said all the criticism is unwarranted because Robertson is “exercising her 1st Amendment rights.” He said “we don’t understand why the city is insisting the sky is falling…when all we want to do is put this up to a public vote.” Mayor Skip Schaufel cut Scully off after five minutes. This sparked a complaint from Robertson who said “you didn’t stop anybody else.” Chief Johnson closed public comment by saying, “I did not take this job as a stepping stone, I took it because I want to stay here and retire here.” He said he is proud of his department and the job they do. Councilman Lee Ard said “you all have the finest public safety that any small town could ever ask for.” Councilman David Plank supported the idea of going forward with the lawsuit because “if we don’t do it, this will continue again and again.” Councilman Jim Ulm said “the best thing to do is to let the people decide.” A motion by Plank to initiate a lawsuit was voted down, 3-2. Other motions were passed to write up staff reports making a detailed comparison between the costs of contracting with the Sheriff’s Department versus the IPD. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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