Milton is still chief-less
MILTON — The Milton Police Department remains without a leader this morning despite a 90-minute closed session of the Milton Police Commission.
Today was the first time the commission met after former Chief Tom Gilland became eligible for rehiring, yet the commission took no action.
Gilland retired Jan. 7, and the city announced soon after that it was considering rehiring Gilland as chief after the 30-day waiting period required by law for him to remain eligible to receive retirement benefits.
On Jan. 15, the Milton City Council drafted a contract to offer Gilland if the police commission reappoints him. He became eligible to enter a contract with the city Feb. 7.
Still, the police commission showed no indications it’s examining other candidates for the job. The city directed Administrator Todd Schmidt to solicit proposals from consulting firms to aid in a chief search soon after Gilland announced his retirement in December, but no firm has been hired.
Schmidt received about five proposals and turned them over to the police commission.
The city has received no resumes for the chief job and wouldn’t be reviewing them if it did, Schmidt said.
The police commission has appointed no interim chief, relying instead on the department’s two sergeants to lead with the assistance of David Ostrowski, a commission member and former UW-Parkside police chief.
The commission scheduled its next meeting for 7:30 a.m. Thursday, March 6.
related STORIES
- Milton boundary agreement approved
By GAZETTE STAFF 10/08/09
Feb 24, 2008 at 10:34 a.m.
Suggest removal
I know that the police commission memebers were appointed by Mayor Bruce, but what has to happen for them to lose their seats on the commission? Maybe if they weren't allowed to go into closed session they would actually accomplish something. Maybe the Mayor needs to start holding people responsible for the lack of progress and force a decision to be made.
Feb 22, 2008 at 7:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
I think I'm gonna give the Commission a pass for now. It's so clear that the city administrator and the city council want to save their precious $10k by bringing T.G. back that they've gone ahead and worked out a contract for him. It is obvious the Commission is sticking with their illegal leadership scheme they've concocted, since they could have appointed an interim by now if they had wanted to. Since they haven't done that, nor have they just relented and appointed T.G. as the city would like (perhaps because THEY are listening to the employees/officers?), I'm guessing the delay is that they are negotiating behind the scenes to limit how long T.G. will come back for. It's clear he's coming back, since the Commission has not started their search for a successor. So, perhaps the issue is for how long. If THAT is the reason for the delay, I can't fault the Commission. At least they would be TRYING to do what's best for the department, and ultimately, the city.
Feb 21, 2008 at 9:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
It clearly shows that the commission cant make a decision. More gets done under the table than during an actual meeting. This puts the commission two months behind in the process of hiring a Chief, which takes several months once applications are accepted. Someone on the commission has got to get tired of spinning their wheels and take charge. These meetings with no results/action are wasting time.
Feb 21, 2008 at 5:54 p.m.
Suggest removal
Ha Ha Ha...Apparently this committee is trying to prove the theory....beyond a reasonable doubt....that "no news is good news".
Feb 21, 2008 at 10:09 a.m.
Suggest removal
Nice, way to be on the ball City Of Milton. My obsurd tax dollars are really at work here.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.